your bike-buying questions answered
I’m constantly asked for tips for buying bikes. If you’re buying your first since you sported spokey dokes on your Repco, it can be daunting. For this sponsored review I asked Jenny Fay from Australia’s first women’s bike shop at Clarence St Cyclery in Sydney to share her advice.
And can I just say, it is actually a very cool thing that there’s a chick-specific store out there…I get freaked dealing with blokes in Lycra in bike shops who don’t really understand I have longer legs than men and boobs that get in the way, that I need to carry loads of stuff wherever I go and, quite frankly, want to put style before a fancy derailer sometimes. I don’t want to explain all this (and cop attitude); I want it assumed! Over to you Jenny…
Q: I want a… how can I put it…purely pretty bike! I’m a bit of a princessy type, but I want to start riding to work. I don’t know how to put this, but I don’t want one of those lean-forward, fast styles; I want to sit upright and ride in my frocks’n'heels. Oh, and to be able to touch the ground at traffic lights! And I want to be able to carry my bits and pieces in a pretty basket. Does this make sense? - Rachel
Jenny says: Rachel, I reckon you’d love this “Style” bike made by Trek, exclusive to Clarence St Cyclery Women’s Store. It’s like a modern take on the classic old-school “upright” style and definitely pretty.
But I guess you should know this, too:
- it’s an aluminium frame – light and easy to put in a car, carry on and off trains and up to your apartment
- it’s got 7 gears (so it’s not as heavy as a 21-speed, but will get you up hills) and has an internal hub, which means no grease on your skirt
- the fenders also mean no mud on your skirt
- I love the chick-specific saddle and the rear rack to attach a set of pretty panniers (saddle bags) to…This is where you can get creative. You might this Basil Bag set:
Q. Okay, I’m doing my first triathlon in three months with my boyfriend and need to get a bike that I can use for this, but also for fitness and commuting to work. I don’t want to spend too much or commit too much… - Bernie
Jenny says: No problem Bernie! Seriously, you really don’t have to spend a lot on this kind of bike. The trick is to prioritise a good frame that is rigid yet light, responsive and comfortable, to maximize your comfort in training, performance in races and prevents you breaking into massive sweats by the time you reach the office! This Trek Lexa SL is a good one – an entry-level road bike.
- it’s got a women’s specific frame, handlebar and saddle
- again, you want to go with an aluminium frame for a light ride and transport in the car. So you can pick it up and fling it into a little hatchback after training.
- definitely 27 gears for this kind of bike and if you can – carbon technology in the seat post and forks (to absorb bumps; this one has both)
- with this kind of bike it’s really worth going into store and get someone to fit the bike to your shape – women’s shapes are different to men, so make sure you find a salesperson who gets the chick thing.
Q: I’m obsessed with those one-speeds you put on your site, Sarah. But I haven’t ridden for 10 years and live in hilly Sydney. Is there a happy inbetween bike I can buy? - Mia C
Jenny says: I get what you’re saying – single speeds have only one gear which can be dangerous if you’re fresh to riding. You really need to be quite bike-fit and bike-agile to ride them. But now there are some great single-speed-looking bikes on the market …with gears. I like this one – the “Atwood” by Trek again, as part of their ECO range.
- with single speeds, lightweight steel frames are best for the agility
- this one comes with 21 gears for easy riding, but there are others on the market with three or seven gears
- all the parts are easily recyclable and include sustainable rubber tires!
If you want to takes things even more retro, you can attach this basket/ tote bag to the front bar:
We also asked Jenny to share some other cool tips
1. Bike gloves are your friend. I quite love these ones.
2. Choose a Women’s specific saddle that is customized for a woman’s derriere. The Brooks range is a little bit hipster right now.
3. Always wear a helmet and have it it fitted to you by a salesperson before you leave the store! These Nutcase ones are cute.
4. There are so many great ways to store your bike these days, and even make it a feature in your home.
5. Be seen, be safe…always carry lights on the front & rear of the bike!
Knog Boomer lights, $29
6. Check out Cyclemaps iphone app. It allows you to plan your route , highlighting all bicycle paths and low intensity roads.
7. And for extra fun, funky bits and pieces, check out Etsy and Fluffyco.
Clarence St Cyclery Women’s store has a sale running today until Monday May 16, for it’s first birthday. Get a complimentary gift bag with any purchase over $250, plus exclusive offers instore (and drinks and nibbles from 5pm tonight only). Ask for Jenny Fay when you’re in there. See cyclery.com.au for details.
I am dizzy with excitement over this post. I really should put my old reliable “Mr Peddles” to rest and find a new friend. I love “Mr Peddles” but he hasn’t aged too well, he complains when we go up hill and.. well… he’s not pretty!
I love the look of that brooks seat too. Ok, where do I sign.
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May 12th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
They have the seats in store. A new bike is a glorious thing!
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May 12th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
You’ve inspired me, Sarah.
*Jumps in taxi*
“Clarence St, step on it!”
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Gloves ARE a must. ‘Specially is you come a cropper, as you instinctively put out your hands. Those gloves rock!
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You should also check out Tokyo Bike in Surry Hills. It’s got a terrific selection of cool bikes in all sorts of colours and at a very reasonable price for their quality. You can visit their website: http://tokyobike.com.au/ or just drop in. Great staff, amazing bikes and accessories.
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May 12th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Hey, I’ve written about these guys…but see my post where I explain about what to invest in when buying a bike. With ss’s you really do need to pay for lightness and decent components or it defeats the purpose of what they’re about….which is lightness and agility.
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I wish I’d had this experience when I went to Clarence St Cyclery! I do not love my bike I got
And it’s easier to get service in the main one next door – sorry CSC, but the three times I’ve tried going there, haven’t been pleasant
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May 12th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Madison, thanks for the heads up. I am ready to invest in a good bike and was about to begin my search this weekend, so will make sure I now shop around.
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May 12th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I’m sure your experience might be better! but I spent WAYYY too much on a bike that dosen’t suit my needs at all. So if anyone wants a 2nd hand…. barely used bike….
If you are in Sydney the cycle shop on Glebe Point Road is good, and they also directed me to the one on King St (not sure where that is). The one at Newtown wasn’t that great. I hear there are some ace ones in Bondi too.
Good luck!
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May 12th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Hi Madison,
I am sorry to hear about your experience at our store.
We aim to please every customer in any way we can, so we would be more than happy for you to return the bike for something that best suits your needs so you can enjoy a bike that offers pure ride satisfaction!
Nothing is a problem at Clarence St Cyclery!
Best regards,
Jenny Fay
Clarence St Cyclery Women’s Manager
I like the look of the “Style” bike made by Trek…anyone know if it available in Brisbane??
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May 12th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hi Selena,
This model is not available to stores in Australia as it is aimed for the European market.
However, due to the growing demand in this style of bike on this side of the hemisphere, we are stocking them exclusively at our store.
We can always send you one up from Sydney or if you are visiting soon, drop by and we can set you up on one and have it boxed up for you to take home!
Best regards,
Jenny Fay
Clarence St Cyclery Women’s Manager
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May 13th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Thanks Jenny,
I will pop in and see you next time I am down your way
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“single speeds have only one gear which can be dangerous if you’re fresh to riding. You really need to be quite bike-fit and bike-agile to ride them.”
Lol what?
Bike fit, yes I can kinda see that point if you have weak legs and are hitting hills.. but needing to be agile? How are single speed bikes dangerous at all? You sure you’re not confused with fixed gear?
Just cos if an old grandpa was going to ride anything, it would probably be a single speed or a hub gear system.. no issues with chain slip. Much safer, lighter and easier.
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May 13th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Not confusing with fixies…tho’ they are DEFINITELY dangerous.
I’ve spoken with a lot of people who run into trouble at lights etc where they don’t have the strength to take off without an easier gear etc. You need to understand your body a lot more to ride a SS…obviously if you live in a flat area this doesn’t apply so much
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I love the girly upright bikes, I got one recently in cream with a beautiful chain guard and tan seat and handle bars, she is a beauty and I imagine I am escaping occupied France circa 1940′s and love riding in my thrifty old dresses. Bourke st cycleway rocks. That’s my ‘escape’ route.
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May 13th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I love that someone’s loving the Bourke St Cycleway…me too!
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I had a dream last night I was riding a bike. I blame this article, and also seeing the cutest hot pink bike chained up outside the pub last week. I was so happy and carefree on my bike, and I was spray painting it aqua green and pink. I haven’t had a bike since I was 12! Maybe I should start again…
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May 13th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
A sign?
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May 13th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Perhaps!
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Hi
These bike shops sound great I’m looking to buy my first bike and would love to find a similar shop in Melbourne. Does anyone know of any in Melbourne?
Thank you
Monique
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Hi Sarah – my name’s Brigid. I work with Clover and we met on Wednesday.
I spent a few hours on your blog on Wednesday evening and was quite charmed..and thrilled by some great yoghurt recipes.
Thyroxine is a daily pill-pop for me so I share your challenges and I agree meditation is the ultimate saving grace.
I too am rider of many years and I’ve ordered my stunning Cambridge satchel in red…woo hooo. Love it – thank you.
Keep riding and spreading the word.
Lovely to meet you.
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I have a Gazelle – a sit-up-and-beg style and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a made in the Netherlands and is the best selling bike company in that country. It rides like a dream and is built to last. A bit pricey – $1700 – but worth every penny and has lots of extras that come with – including shock absorbers in the seat! I can ride with my dress because it has both a chain and wheel covers. A totally girlie – but practical bike.
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October 20th, 2011 at 12:21 am
Good on Miss Long Tweedle, I’ve always thought the Gazelle looked the best of bikes but designed as they are for flat lands of Holland, concerned they would be a quite heavy for riding up and down all the hills around Sydney and to hard to commute with and carry up and down the stairs that are everywhere here… I wonder where do you ride your Gazelle… in Melbourne or hilly old Sydney or ? Any ideas on how much a Gazelle weighs? Keep enjoying simple freedoms and thank you Sarah, for where and how to find suitable fabulous womens bikes in sydney for all different riders is great
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October 20th, 2011 at 3:58 am
I live in Adelaide – so quite flat. I asked the guy at the bike shop where I bought my bike if I could leave my credit card and drivers license and take the bike out for a test drive – a REAL test drive of about 45 minutes. He was agreeable and it gave me a good feeling for the bike. You might try the same which would allow you to see for yourself. I must admit that the bike seems pretty heavy – probably one reason why the ride is so smooth. So it might not be the best bike for your needs. Good luck!
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Hey Sarah – not all lycra clad cyclists have that attitood – i.e. please don’t judge a book by its cover. Many greenie-hippy-enviro-loving-zen-buddhist cyclists wear lycra as they want to be comfortable and want to ride fast, for fun and fitness, especially if they have a long commute on the bike.
I stumbled onto your blog from sydney cyclechic via copenhagen cyclechic and I think you have a fantastic section on cycling. Thank you for helping to encourage everyday cycling and less car use – you’re a hero to our environment.
Also thanks for being so candid on your AI and healing experience. I really believe you are spot-on on how our ‘western’ lifestyle and food choices are seriously damaging us. The more people get this message, then we may have a chance to save ourselves and the planet. Slow food and meditation is a great step in the right direction.
Ciao,
Brad.
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