First determine the right size of the frame. How do you do that?
Spread your feet 15 cm. Measure the inside length of your leg from the floor till your groin. Multiply this result by 0,68. For example 85 cm *0,68= 57,8 cm. Is 57 or 58. Both are OK.
People smaller than 160 cm. also have to look at the size of the wheels. Standard is 28 inch. Small people should look at 26 or even 24 inch.
A good bike is a safe bike and a safe bike is a good bike!
- Handles should be fixed at the handle bar. No slippery handles
- Brake lever must run smoothly. If the grip is too wide they can be adjusted
- Pedals should not be slippery
- A bike must have white headlight, red rear light, reflection on the wheels, reflection at the rear, reflection on the pedals
- Wheels should be straight. No swing in the wheel
- No spokes missing, no loose spokes
- Tires must have profile
- Chain must not be rusty
- A bike must have a bell at the handle bar
- When you cycle no “ strange”, unexplainable noises must be noticeable
- How to keep your bike: a lock in the back wheel and a high quality steel chain through the front wheel, the frame and then attached to a pole or fence.
- Brakes of course must function very well. In Holland we have handbrakes and “push back brakes”. These require some practicing by the cyclist
- One gear is enough in flat Holland. Don’t pay for many gears.