Buying Guides and Advice
Buying Guides and Advice
Bike Tyres Buying Guide
Your tyres play a pivotal role in the overall performance of your bike, and as such you should do your homework before deciding which tyres are right for you. Here's a run-down on what you need to know when purchasing new rubber for your bike: Road Bike Tyres The most common road bike tyre diameter is 700c which will be suitable for most adult sized road bike rims, however there are a range of width options available which provide varying levels of speed vs. comfort. As a general rule of thumb, skinny tyres (around 23mm wide) will provide the lowest rolling resistance however as they won't be as comfortable to ride as a wider tyre (around 25mm-30mm wide). Road bike tyres are available in a range of tread patterns - if you want to go fast then a slick tyre with no tread pattern is the way to go, but if you're going to ride in varying conditions then a tyre with some form of tread pattern will provide slightly better grip. See All Road Tyres Mountain Bike Tyres As mountain bike wheels come in a range of different sizes (26",27.5" & 29") you'll want to ensure that you look for the right sized tyres for your rims. Like road bikes, mountain bike tyres come in a range of widths which cater to different riding scenarios. If you're into downhill mountain biking then you'll most likely want a wider tyre (2.2" +) to provide maximum grip over varying terrains, whereas if cross country is more your style, then a slimmer tyre will provide lower rolling resistance over flatter ground. There are a huge range of tread patterns available in mtb bike tyres, each with it's own pros and cons. Tyres with large tread knobs provide a large amount of grip in wet and muddy conditions, however offer higher rolling resistance when it comes to hard, dry surfaces, which will ultimately slow you down. See All Mountain Tyres
How To Choose The Best Kids Bike For Riding To School
Forget shuttling the kids to school every morning or putting them on the bus, save the planet and help your kids get some exercise by riding to school. When it comes to choosing the ideal kids bike for riding to school there are a lot of factors that come into play. Often kids will just want the bike that their friends have or one that looks cool with a design in their favourite colours. However, it is important to consider the practicalities of kids riding to school with their backpack and in their school uniform. The bike will be sitting in a bike rack outside in the elements all day, every day of the school year, ridden to and from school for up to 200 days a year. This is key when considering your budget, you could go for a cheap kids bike such as the Kmart kids bike, but often they won't stand up to the workload kids can put on their bike. Once you have sorted out your budget, you want to get the best kids bike for the ride to school, but there are a few key factors to consider Sizing Buying a bike for the new school year can be like buying new shoes for the school year, buy the wrong size and it will be uncomfortable, won't get used and your kids will complain. It might be tempting to buy a bike that they might grow into, but if they're riding to school every day it is really important they are on the right bike and in the right position that isn't putting unnecessary stress on their growing bodies. Our Kids Bike Sizing Guide goes into the specifics of each size, from the 12-inch balance bikes for 2-year-olds to 26" kids mountain bikes for ages 10+ and the full-size bikes for those high school kids. Bike Type When it comes to choosing the bike type for riding to school it is important to balance the practicalities of riding to school with what they want to do with the bike on the weekends. Kids BMX Bike Kids love BMX bikes , they're fun, exciting and full of awesome potential. If your kids want to go to the skate park after school or on the weekend then this is a great choice. However, if they have to ride a long way to school it will be pretty tiring on the BMX with its lack of gears, typically heavy Hi-Ten steel frames, smaller tyres and geometry designed for BMX and not long rides. Choosing the best Kids BMX bike really comes down to your individual needs and it is important to remember this, sometimes a BMX bike won't be the best option for riding to school. Kids Mountain Bike The best kids mountain bikes are built with a lightweight alloy frame for easy handling, reliable v-brakes or disc brakes for control and suspension forks to handle the bumps. Kids Mountain bikes usually come with 24" or 26" wheels and are built to be durable. While a mountain bike may not be the fastest, they are a good compromise as they have the rugged durability to handle whatever kids can throw at them and offer a comfortable ride. Kids Specific Bikes While the other bikes are basically adult bikes shrunk to size for kids, your typical kids specific bike ranges from the 12" kids bike with training wheels for the child learning how to ride a bike. Right up to kids bikes with 16", 20" and 24" wheels that are typically built in a mountain bike like style, without the suspension fork or mountain bike specific tyres. They often give kids an introduction to riding bikes with gears and still offer great value for money. For the older kids: Road Bikes & Flat Bar Road bikes If you have got a teenager that is looking to get home from school as fast as possible or travel long distances to school with ease, then a road bike is a great choice. Choose between drop bars for a more performance-based bike or a flat-bar road bike that offers a more comfortable geometry and easier handling. Riding to school is commuting for kids, so it makes sense that older kids might want a road bike that is fast, light, efficient with their speedy road-specific wheel, design and light frame. And if none of those suit, how about a scooter? They are a great way to get from A to B, fold up for easy storage and can offer plenty of fun and challenges as they learn new tricks. Or maybe an electric scooter to really travel quickly and have a blast too. Shop Kids Bike Essentials Getting started with cycling at any age requires a few things to begin. Things such as helmets and lights are essential for safety, see below some essential items required: Shop All Kids Bikes Shop Kids BMX Bikes Shop Kids Mountain Bikes Shop Balance Bikes Shop BMX Bikes Shop Kids Helmets Shop Bells Shop Locks
Bike Tubes Buying Guide
Spare inner tubes are a must have for any cyclist as these lightweight, inexpensive items can really save the day should you experience a puncture whilst out riding. It is very important that you select the right size tubes for your rims paying close attention to both diameter and width. In most cases the required dimensions will be written on the side wall of your tyre for easy reference. It is also important to purchase tubes with valves that are compatible with your bike pump. There are two main types of valves used in bike tyre tubes: Schrader Valves - These are commonly referred to as 'car type' valves as they are the same valve system that is used on most car tyres. Generally Schrader vales are only used on recreational bikes which require lower pressures than a road bike. Presta Valves - These have a thinner stem than a Schrader valve and are usually found on higher pressure tubes for road bikes. See All Bike Tubes
Preparing To Ride In Winter
Winter can be a great time of the year to ride your bike, plus there are health benefits from riding in cold weather. You can burn more calories, train to breathe more efficiently and feel in a better mood despite darker and shorter winter days. Here are 5 tips for bike riding in winter like a pro: 1. Dress For Success Successful winter cycling starts with the right cycling clothes. Keep the different parts of your body warm: Headwear: most of your body heat escapes from your head. A beanie under your helmet, a bandana or a headband made from thermal fabric will keep you warm. Torso: multiple layers is the way to go. Some of the best winter gear to protect your upper body are: Cycling jersey: the best cycling jerseys let the air flow, prevent sweat from building up, are slightly longer in the back to keep you covered while in your riding position and have rubber stoppers around the hems to keep it in place. Cycling vest: it helps you stay warm and dry. It’s lightweight and compact, windproof at the front and have good ventilation at the back. Cycling jacket: a fundamental part of your winter bike riding gear. They’re light, but still give you a good level of warmth and protect you from the wind and rain. Arm warmers: a practical way of staying warm. Once you’ve warmed up, easily slide them off and tuck them in your pocket. Legs: leg warmers are a great addition to any winter riders kit, they allow you to keep your lower half sheltered from the cold and can easily be removed. Hands and feet: your extremities get cold quickly when you ride your bike in winter. Winter gloves: Bike gloves cover your hands, protect them with additional padding and let you ride comfortably. Cycling socks: Cycling socks are made with fabrics that control moisture, so they keep your feet warm and dry. Shoe covers: Otherwise known as overshoes are help to protect your feet from the wet and cold conditions during winter riding. Shop All Clothing 1. Boost your visibility Days in winter are shorter and darker, so even if you’re not planning to ride during the night, it’s important to increase your visibility to other road users. Bike lights: when you’re riding your bike you must see properly, and be seen! You need a front bike light, a rear bike light and reflectors. Remember that having proper lights on your bike, is not just a good idea, it’s the law! For example, the NSW law states: “Bicycle riders must not ride a bicycle at night or in hazardous weather conditions unless the bike displays a flashing or steady white light from the front, and a flashing or steady red light from the rear. The bike also requires a red reflector which is visible from the rear.” And it’s a similar story in all other states of Australia. Reflective Clothing: wearing bright colours may not be enough to make yourself visible during winter months. You should add some reflective gear to your bike kit, like reflective armbands or a jersey with reflective trim. 3. Prepare your bike Make sure your tyres are in good condition, or even consider getting a new set to assure maximum grip during your winter bike rides. Clean your bike after every ride. Make sure you have the right cleaning products to keep all your bike components clean and lubricated. Before winter starts it may be a good idea to take your bike for a service and a good tune-up at your local bike store. Find your local 99 Bikes Shop Bike Maintenance 4. Know Your Route It’s always beneficial to plan your route before you go for a bike ride. This is particularly important during winter rides, as some roads can be more affected by winter weather conditions. We recommend using Google Maps bike routes feature. 5. Last but not least Even if it’s cold it may be sunny, so apply sunscreen to any exposed skin, and keep properly hydrated. Shop Water Bottles Shop Hydration Backpacks Shop Hydration Nutrition
Electric Bike Batteries And Motors Everything You Need To Know
Not all e-bike batteries are made the same and it is important to realise what you want from your electric bike so that you get the e-bike with the battery power you need. You need a battery that has enough power to handle your riding needs so that you never get stuck with a flat e-bike. Batteries tend to be one of the most expensive parts on an electric bike, so it makes sense that as the price gets higher, the battery gets bigger. A bigger battery obviously gives you more range on a single charge but also improves the overall life of the battery as you will reduce the number of charge cycles, which reduces the battery capacity as time goes by. When it comes to battery brands, Shimano and Bosch tend to make their own batteries for their respective e-bike drive systems, while some of the more value-oriented bike brands such as XDS or Velectrix will use a mixture of reliable batteries from Panasonic and third party. Find The Right Bike, Battery & Motor For You Unsure of what electric bike is right for you? It can be overwhelming choose a traditional bike let alone an e-bike which has the added specifications of battery models, different motors, display and more! Use Bosch's range assist calculator to find what will best suit your needs. Bosch Electric Bike Calculator Electric Bike Battery & Motor Comparison Hungry for more details? See the table below for more battery and motor specifications for both Bosch's and Shimano's batteries. Battery 1 Faster chargers available for purchase will decrease above times. Motor 2 Based on factory settings What type of battery should I look for? Most e-bike batteries these days are made with lithium-ion batteries as their high energy density means that they can store a lot of power while remaining lightweight. Battery capacity is often measured in Watt Hours (Wh) and a lot of e-bikes come in between 400wh and 500wh and the greater the number of watt-hours the longer the range when you're comparing similar bikes. What is the range of my Battery and e-bike? It is impossible to give an exact answer when it comes to the range for an e-bike as there are so many variables that affect the range. As a general guide most lower end e-bikes will give you 30-60km range, while higher-end brands like Bosch can last up to 120km on a single charge. All of which can be impacted by the surface, rider weight, cargo weight, weather, incline and battery age. For these reasons it is important that you get a battery that has a slightly larger capacity than you might ordinarily need as you won't always have control of the conditions and just like your phone battery, as the battery ages, performance will slowly deteriorate. For a more precise guide, Bosch has created a handy tool to help you determine the range of their batteries based on all of the associated variables. How can I extend the range of my e-bike? Reduce what you're carrying as this will weigh your bike down Drive units typically operate with greater efficiency when you keep your cadence above 50 RPMs Stopping, starting and braking all requires power so this will sap your battery if you have to stop frequently Make sure you have tyres that are ideal for your terrain and ensure that you are appropriately inflated Hilly and slow terrain will require more power to overcome the increased resistance, so try and stick to smooth and flat surfaces to extend your e-bike battery range. How long does an e-bike battery last? Lithium-ion batteries are built to last and give you reliable performance for years to come. For example, Shimano's own STePS batteries are guaranteed at least 60% capacity after 1000 charge cycles, which means that your bike will have a reasonable capacity for several years. While a study from Bosch found that they could get up to 1500 charging cycles and almost 57,000km before the battery was no longer practically functional. It is hard to pinpoint an exact lifespan for a battery as there are a variety of factors such as charging frequency, heavy load use, storage and maintenance which can have a significant impact over time. What can I do to improve the life of the battery? If you want to extend the overall life of your battery you should try to: Minimise the load on your bike Store in an area with a temperature between 0 and 20 degrees celsius Park in the shade or undercover as often as possible Store at between 30 - 60% charge status How long does it take to charge an e-bike? This varies based on the size of the battery and the quality of the charging cable. A brand like Bosch has 3 different types of charging cables which can reduce the charge time for their smallest battery from 3.5 hours down to 2.5 hours, while their powerful PowerTube 625kw takes 4.9 hours to charge. While XDS bikes which typically run a Panasonic Lithium-Ion battery have a maximum charge time of 4 hours. How often can I recharge my battery? You can charge a battery regardless of its current charge level, it's just important to remember that batteries have limited charge cycles so you don't want to charge your battery at any chance you get. Bosch Electric Bike Range Assistant Interested In Learning More? Check out our massive range of electric bikes to learn which one is best for you. Also if you would like to continue reading about Shimano and Bosch electric bikes see more readings below: Bosch Performance Line CX Bosch Electric Batteries Shimano e6100 Shimano e8000
Cleats Buying Guide
Cleats are the parts that connect your cycling shoes to your clip-less pedals. Cleats can improve pedalling efficiency by at least 10% and keep your skeletal structure more in line with your feet, so your knees and hips can catch a break.
What You Need To Know About Servicing Your Bike
Just like a car, your bike needs regular servicing to stay in top shape. It keeps things running smoothly, extends the life of your parts, and makes your ride safer and more enjoyable. You've likely invested a lot in your bike—so a little maintenance goes a long way! In this article, we’ll teach you about: How often you should be servicing your bike How much it costs to service your bike at 99 Bikes What tools you’ll need to service your bike at home How to clean your bike When you should be replacing your bike’s brake pads 99 Bikes’ Maintenance Classes How often should I service my bike? To keep your bike running smoothly, lasting longer, and staying safe, regular servicing is key. The more you ride, the more wear your bike takes—so more frequent check-ups are a good idea. Even if you only ride now and then, parts still need a bit of love from time to time. Servicing options can depend on how you ride and how well you clean your bike, but as a general guide, we recommend: Ride once a week - Standard Service every 6 months Ride 3-4 times a week - Standard Service every 3 Months Everyday - Standard Service every 3 months + Ultimate Service every 12-18 months In addition to the above, we recommend you wash your bike and lubricate your chain once a week. Click here find out more about our servicing options, or click here to book a service. How much does it cost to service your bike? If you can service your bike at home you can save money on labour, but will still have the cost of new parts and lube etc. At home you can complete the following maintenance with relative ease; Clean and degrease your frame Pump up tyres Tighten cables Check brake pads and cables Clean and lubricate drivetrain Shop Pumps Shop Tyres Shop Tubes Shop Brake Cables To get your bike serviced by one of our expert mechanics at your local 99 Bikes, prices vary for service type - visit our workshop page for details. What tools do I need to service my bike? You can service most parts of your bike with just a few tools. You could purchase a tool kit that will cover all of your basics, or piece together your own kit. Our mechanics recommend that you have a: Torque Wrench Pedal Spanner Bike Wash Grease Allen Keys Clean Cloths Degreaser for drivetrain Chain Lubricant Shop Tools Shop Multi-tools Shop Cleaning Shop Lubricants How to clean my bike? It’s important to clean your bike every ride to get rid of dirt and debris to ensure your bike is clean and operates smoothly. You should regularly give your bike a thorough clean and you’ll need a few essentials to do this properly: Water Brush for cassette/chainrings Toothbrush or fine wire brush for cleaning the chain Bike wash fluid Chain cleaning device or a stiff-bristled brush Chain lube Microfibre rag Chamois leather Degreaser Bike wash fluid Bike stand (Optional) Shop Cleaning Shop WorkStands Shop Lubricants Shop Brushes For more information or advice, visit or call your local 99 Bikes. When should I replace my bike's brake pads? Brakes are one of the most important parts on your bike, they allow you to stop and ride safely. You should check your brakes regularly or when you notice they don’t have the usual responsive feel. Shop All Brakes Rim Brakes: Your brake pads will have tread on the contact side and when that tread becomes smooth it is time for some new brake pads. You should check monthly or every 500km. Disc Brakes: Standard disc brake pads will have 3-4mm of compound and when this is worn down to less than 2mm you should consider changing your brake pads. As with rim brakes, you should check monthly or every 500km. Shop Disc Brakes For more information or advice, visit or call your local 99 Bikes. Attend A Maintenance Class Still eager to learn more? Come join us for one of our Maintenance classes, where our expert mechanics teach hands on basics about maintaining your bike. Plus this is free if you're a Club 99 member! Book A Class
