Taking the confusion out of buying a bike

This one simple trick…

“What’s the correct tire pressure?”

I’m asked this question daily. And it’s beginning to get a little grating. Why? Well, because there’s no right answer. It’s like bike fit, the solution is within a range. But that’s not the answer they’re looking for. Everybody wants it easy.

To some questions there is no easy answer. But that doesn’t stop the dark side of bike marketing from pretending there is.

Which bike is right for me? There’s a question and a half. And it’s a question that raises a hundred more questions. Because in order to know the answer we need data, from you. How experienced are you? How many bikes have you ridden? Where do you ride, for how long and how far? Do you have any pre-existing conditions?! ;)

Buying a new bike shouldn’t be hard. And it isn’t, as long as you are willing to trust those in the know and rely on the extensive experience garnered over years working in the bike industry. I’m here to tell you this *one simple trick*… The Frequency Cycleworks bespoke custom build - a bespoke handholding service that culminates in you riding away on a custom built bicycle made around your desires but perhaps more importantly your body’s requirements, whatever they may be.

My best friend is a tailor. He makes bespoke suits for those who have neither the time nor the inclination to hunt around for their own clothes. And he’s very good at it. Cycling on the other hand? Not so much. Which is where I came in to help him figure out which bike to buy, what kit, which custom handbuilt wheels to purchase (no prizes…) and now he does more miles than I do! It was an eye-opener coming to the realisation that not everybody was a total bike nerd like me and that maybe, just maybe, I had some untapped talent there.

The process

Just like a tailored suit, the first step is to take your measurements. Conveniently I happen to based alongside (probably) the best bike fitters in the country - Foundation Bike Fit. Right here in the heart of London’s premier cycling venue, Lee Valley Velodrome. Yes, we do a podcast together and very informative we’re told it is too!

It’s been super interesting for me seeing the process take shape from somebody initially pedalling squares on their old bike to the culmination of a number of relatively small changes (both physical and mental) making a huge difference to both their comfort and power output.

It really takes the guesswork out of figuring out frame sizes (because not all ‘54cm’ frames are 54cm frames…) because we can work off contact points and geometry rather than the classic bike shop “oh you’re about my height and I ride X”.

Ultimately what this all does is explain why an ‘off the shelf’ bike just doesn’t do it for you. Maybe the bars are too wide or too narrow, the cranks are too long, you’re too stretched out or squashed in etc. All the things that matter when you’re out riding that century. And bear in mind that with a a lot of bikes these days, those components aren’t always easy to change and in many cases it’s not even possible!

Finishing Kit

Bars, stem, seatpost, saddle - your contact points. Imagine getting in a car and not being able to reach the pedals, or the steering wheel! These are things that Big Bike is not paying attention to. Despite the number of components out there, some large bike manufacturers (I’m sure you have their sites open in other tabs…) are trying to tie everybody in to a closed system where you can’t even make aftermarket upgrades. And that’s a huge problem because not everybody has the same body. We NEED adjustability. Or maybe you just want a better version of what you have, something lighter/stiffer/a different colour?!

Thankfully, a select number of brands are all-in on the custom build market and you’re not limited to a particularly frame material. Carbon, steel, titanium, alloy. They all have their place in the custom bike market so whatever kind of riding you do (or want to do) there’s custom bike out there for you.

Frequency Cycleworks offers a fully-bespoke custom bike build service from Lee Valley Velodrome in London, UK.

Go to https://www.frequencycycleworks.com/custom-bike-builds for more info and to enquire about your very own custom bike.