The world of bikes and cycling
The Bikes page brings together the world of cycling: road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes and BMX, as well as helmets, lights, shoes, smartphone mounts, child seats, clothing and spare parts, from Shimano, Giro, Quad Lock, adidas, Chromag, Yamaha or Elite Lab. From commuting to the bike park, everyone can find their gear here.
Cycling for sport, getting around or for fun.
What bike size to choose based on the cyclist's height and the child's age
The frame size is determined by the cyclist's height and especially the length of their inseam, measured barefoot with their back against the wall. Manufacturers indicate this in centimetres for road bikes and with letters, from XS to XL, for mountain bikes and city bikes: a frame that's too big makes it hard to put the foot down at a stop, while a frame that's too small bends the knees and strains the back. For children, the reference is the wheel diameter: 12 inches for ages two to four, 16 inches for ages four to six, 20 inches for ages six to nine, and then 24 inches before transitioning to an adult frame. When sitting on the saddle, the child should be able to touch the ground with the tips of their two feet.
The selection
The cycling world is organized by activity:
- Road.
- Mountain bike.
- City.
- BMX.
- Equipment, helmets, clothing, and electronics.
- Spare parts, wheels, drivetrain, and brakes.
Helmet, lighting, phone holder: getting equipped for riding
In France, the helmet has been mandatory since March 2017 for children under twelve years old, whether they are pedalling or being transported, and it must meet the EN 1078 standard. Lighting is easy to add: the rear light Giro Roc Loc clips directly onto the helmet's tightening system, positioned higher and therefore more visible than a seat post light. The support Quad Lock, developed in Melbourne in 2011, attaches the smartphone to the handlebars with a specific case and a rotating lock, for following a route. For bike commuting, the Velosamba from adidas takes inspiration from the Samba with a sole compatible with SPD two-hole cleats.
Other sports
The other sports on the site, swimming, padel, badminton, handball, basketball, golf, fitness, climbing, camping, fishing, motorcycle, gymnastics, athletics, are gathered on the other sports page.
Child seat, saddle, and pads: the parts to know
The child seat Shotgun, created in New Zealand in 2017, attaches to the frame tube in front of the adult: the child from two to five years old, up to 27 kilos, can see the path and shares the MTB ride. The saddle Chromag Semenuk, designed with Canadian rider Brandon Semenuk, is aimed at slopestyle and dirt with grippy sides for tricks. For braking, resin pads, like the Shimano finned ones, are quiet and grippy when cold, whereas sintered metal pads last longer in the rain and on long descents: Galfer, a Spanish braking specialist, offers them for Shimano Saint and Zee brakes. On an electric Yamaha bike, the screen can be replaced without touching the motor.
Good deals
Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance sales, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and articles shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The key events of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year festivities, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school season.
Frequently asked questions
Why do men's bikes have a horizontal bar?
The horizontal tube connects the handlebars to the saddle and makes the frame stiffer, which better transfers pedalling effort. Open frames, originally designed for riding in a skirt, make it easier to straddle and now suit all cyclists.
What is a gravel bike?
The gravel bike borrows from road bikes their curved handlebars and efficient position, and from mountain bikes, wider and knobbly tyres. It allows for riding on country roads, white paths, and forest tracks during the same outing.
How to store multiple bikes in a garage?
Wall hooks suspend bikes vertically by the front wheel and free up the ground. A floor rack lines up several bikes side by side, and a ceiling pulley system makes use of the height under the roof.
Why is my bike making noise?
A rattling sound often comes from a dry chain or poorly adjusted derailleur, a squeaking from a bottom bracket or pedals that need lubrication. Squeaky brakes indicate glazed pads or a dirty disc, which should be cleaned with a degreasing product.
How often should I service my bike?
Lubricate the chain every few rides and check the brakes and tyre pressure before heading out. A complete service once a year, or more often for daily use, checks cables, drivetrain, bearings, and the tightening of parts.
