Bike retail Archives -

Changing your own flat tyre on your bike is a fundamental skill

July 23, 2020 Nicola Bike maintenance, Bike retail, Women cycling

To me, changing your own flat tyre on your bike is a fundamental skill that you really should learn but you’d be surprised how many riders don’t know how to do it. I worked in a bike shop for quite a few years and it never ceased to surprise me how many customers visited the shop to have a flat tyre repaired. My bike shop buddies tell me that type of business has increased markedly since the rise of bicycle delivery people on our local roads. They could all be saving themselves time and money by learning to do it

Women’s guide to cycling: Do I need a bike fit?

June 19, 2020 Nicola Bike fit, Bike retail, Women cycling, women's bikes

A question that arises often amongst road cyclists is – Do I need a bike fit? And like many questions, there isn’t one simple answer. In short, a bike fit is to make you sit more comfortably on your bike and to help you ride more efficiently. From my experience bike fits are most beneficial to cyclists who are stepping to a serious competitive level, those who have a problem with discomfort caused by a myriad of things, and those who are returning from an injury. Like most riders, I didn’t have a bike fit when I started riding a

How do you find the best women’s bike saddle for a road bike?

June 4, 2020 Nicola Bike retail, Bike saddle, Product reviews, Women cycling, women specific bike, women's bikes, Women's health

Let me share my own experience first. I started riding almost 12 years ago to complete a charity ride and was hooked almost instantly. I recall when I rode that charity ride which was an 80 km ride on undulating and hilly terrain in the Barossa Valley that I got quite uncomfortable on my bike saddle and it wasn’t my bottom that hurt, it was the far more delicate soft tissue area that really felt sore. I remember laughing when a non-riding friend asked me if I had a saw bum after all that riding. By far the most commonly

A woman’s guide: What to look for when you buy a road bike

May 8, 2020 Nicola Bike frame, Bike retail, Women cycling, women's bikes

I’m a member of some great women-only cycling social media groups and one of the questions that comes up time and time again is – what to look for when you buy a road bike. So often the advice that is given by other female riders is based on their own experience which is fine but it is such an individual thing that you need to forge your own path. The frame is the most important part Before I worked in the bike industry, I was of the view that if you wanted to buy a road bike then your

Tips for new female road cyclists – take my challenge and give it a go

May 1, 2020 Nicola Bicycle helmet, Bike fitting, Bike retail, Clip-in shoes, COVID-19, Cycling Club, Women cycling, women specific bike, women's bikes

One of the upsides of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increase in the number of people – women, men, and children taking up or returning to cycling but many need a bit of advice so here are my tips for new female road cyclists. If you’re a woman and you’ve been enjoying riding your kids or partner during this pandemic then I guarantee that you’ll like it even better if you ditch the kids and partner, take up road cycling and find some female (or male) companions. Many of my road riding pals are actually men but they have

Are you riding with kids during COVID-19? Read these tips……

April 23, 2020 Nicola Bike retail, Bike skills, Children riding, COVID-19, riding with kids

One upside of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increasing numbers of cyclists, and one thing I’ve noticed particularly is the swelling numbers of families riding together and riding with kids. I must admit that while I’ve loved seeing so many people out riding, I’ve had to start avoiding some of the more popular bike paths in my area because they are downright scary. Children and other inexperienced riders are a hazard to others so I thought it would be helpful to share a few tips on riding with kids. There are several stages for kids to ride bikes. The

Pay it forward and cycling during COVID-19

April 9, 2020 Nicola Bike retail, COVID-19, Indoor trainers, pay it forward, Women cycling, women's bikes

I first wrote about the wonderful concept of ‘paying it forward’ last year when I thought about how pay it forward and cycling go nicely together. The idea of paying it forward is a concept that’s been around forever but was popularised by the movie Pay It Forward, which had a lasting impact on me. In the movie and the book on which it is based, the idea is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one receives. The good deeds should accomplish things that the other person can’t accomplish

Women Who Cycle’s 2019 Last minute Christmas gift ideas for female road cyclists

December 19, 2019 Nicola Bike retail, Christmas, Christmas gift, Women cycling, women specific bike, women's bikes

I find that men are particularly prone to last-minute Christmas shopping so if you’re still looking, here are my last-minute Christmas gift ideas for female road cyclists. I guarantee she’ll like any of these much better than diamond earrings. I’m actually only joking about that. Buy her the earrings and something from this list. Voucher from her favourite bike shop If you buy her a voucher from her favourite local bike shop she’ll be able to select something she really wants like a new bike (or at least the deposit), new shoes, helmet or this summer’s most fashionable kit. You’ll

Women Who Cycle’s 2019 Christmas Gift ideas for female road cyclists

December 5, 2019 Nicola Bike retail, Christmas, Christmas gift, Women cycling, women's bikes

I always have a bit of fun compiling my annual Christmas gift ideas for female road cyclists. Here’s my list for 2019. I’ll also run a last minute Christmas gift idea closer to Christmas for all those peeps who shop at the last minute like my beloved partner. Specialized Tarmac Disc Comp I always include a bike in my Christmas shopping list and this year I’ve chosen the Specialized Tarmac Disc Comp. Last year someone told me that my choice of a $12K bike was ridiculous so I’ve paired it back this year with this $4,500 model. This a really

Commonly asked question – What is the best women’s bike saddle?

September 26, 2019 Nicola Bike fitting, Bike retail, Bike saddle, Women cycling, women specific bike, women's bikes, Women's health

In my role as a female cycling advocate I’m often asked – What is the best women’s bike saddle? And unsurprisingly, there isn’t one answer. It depends on what sort of riding you do, on your own shape and size but thankfully help is at hand with a number of brands who’ve done plenty of product research and development in this crucial area. The saddle (or seat) is the key contact area of your bike. It takes most of your weight often for many hours and therefore it is crucially important to have a comfortable seat. If you buy a women’s