Spring must be on the way, we’ve had our first customer of the season in with suspected flat tyres, but which fortunately only needed pumping up. This is a very common occurrence when some good weather arrives, and a service that we offer at no charge!

This week I thought that I might address the problem of bike sizing. Years ago, when I first started selling bikes, there was a move for the macho man to always ask for a 25”, ‘full size,’ frame. It was an eye opener, and not only for me, especially as most were way too short to ever contemplate a frame half that size. Still time moves on and these days it’s hard to find a 25” frame even if your masculinity demanded it.

Many people who don’t cycle, aren’t aware that bikes come in different sizes. As a general rule when buying a bike, the model that you fancy should be available in a number of different sizes, just like jumpers, football boots and pizzas.

It’s essential to get the right size, as too big or too small will make it uncomfortable to ride, hard to control and possibly downright dangerous. The best way to arrive at the correct size is to buy from a reputable cycle dealer.

It’s not in their long term interest to sell you the wrong size, if it’s not in stock, the right bike should only be a phone call away. Some times, even with six or seven different sizes available, it’s not quite possible to get that perfectly comfortable riding position. This is where a slight modification can make all the difference.

Because bicycles are so simply engineered, it’s very easy to swop the saddle, the length and angle of the handlebar stem or the style of handlebar. Gear ratios and tyres can also be changed, but the most cost effective way of doing this is to choose a cycle that conforms as closely as possible to your ideal, and change as little as possible.

If you really are of a different build to the rest of us, it’s still possible to get a frame custom made by one of the craftsmen frame builders. These chaps are perpetually busy, not because there are legions of disproportionate beings out there, but simply because they deliver perfection.

So would you wear football boots two sizes too big? Trousers that skim the tops of your socks?
Why do it with a bike?

Braking(hard) News

Australians leave the car at home
Whilst it’s been widely rumoured in the UK for some time, fresh figures from the Australian Cycling Promotion Fund substantiate the fact that new bike sales run 38% higher than car sales. In Australia this has been an ongoing situation for the past nine years and the current economic downturn has increased the demand even further. Figures show that more Australians are riding regularly, with the benefits of less greenhouse gases, less congestion and a generally healthier population.

Rollapaluza goes digital
‘Rollapaluza’ is the trading name of the guys who are bringing back the spectacle of roller racing to today’s audience. A great crowd pleaser and very entertaining, roller racing was massive in the Forties and Fifties. A pair of riders ride stationery fixed wheel bikes on an imaginary 500 metre course. Each rider is hooked up to a huge dial so it’s easy to see who’s winning, especially now that digital timing has been introduced. As well as London bike couriers, who have their own championship, triple gold winning Olympian Chris Hoy has raced Rollapaluza, as have James Cracknel and Lawrence Dellagio.

Lance Armstrong’s bike pinched
Lance Armstrong’s special, one of a kind, carbon fibre time trial bike was stolen from the team truck last Sunday, during the Tour of California. The distinctive black and yellow Trek is unique and, as such should be very difficult to sell on. In addition, Lance’s many fans are on the lookout as well, having picked up the hot news from Lance’s Twitter page, which had been refreshed from Lance’s Blackberry within minutes of the theft being discovered.

And finally
Is car parking really going up 20p per hour? Following on from my ‘What does that equal’ theme from Blog 1, that extra £9 a week means that a month’s extra car parking charges is the same cost as a new cycle helmet, or six month’s extra car parking charges could get you a new bike..

• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com/