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Buying Guides

Not sure which bike to buy? Let us help you decide.

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We can help you find the perfect bike size for you.

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Mountain bike technology has improved exponentially in recent years.

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Road bikes are one of the simplest forms of bikes on the market.

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  Commuting to and from work can have multiple benefits for the environment, mental health and physical health.

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E-Bikes take what is amazing about cycling around town, through the mountains and daily commuting and enhance it.

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Buying your child a bike can be an exciting time for both you and them, as this is their first chance to experience the enjoyment of cycling.

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If you're the type that likes to save a buck, our ex-demo bikes may sound interesting.

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As simple as a bike can be, a lot of the terminology and names can be quite confusing.

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The material of which a frame is constructed will have a huge impact on how it rides.

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A quick look at Electric Scooter Laws in Australia.

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Shingleback racks are born and bred in Victoria's High Country and have built a reputation for being fit for purpose and above all - durable.

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Orders & Payment

Bicycles Online offer a number of payment methods including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Paypal, Paypal- Pay in 4 and ZipMoney interest-free finance, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Direct Deposit.

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With new online and in-store electronic payment systems offering customers greater convenience and simplicity, at Bikes Online Australia we can now offer you even more flexibility when it comes to purchasing your new Bicycle.

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Unfortunately we do not allow changes to an order once it has been placed.

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Shipping & Tracking

Parts & Accessories  Small Parcels Bikes & Bulky Items Standard Shipping Free Over $99 orders $9.

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Once your order has been dispatched from us, you will receive an email which will include a tracking number and what courier the item was sent with.

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The estimated delivery times for bicycle is as follows.

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Unfortunately we do not allow local pick-up or return of orders from or to our warehouse.

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We require a signature for our deliveries and hence we prefer commercial addresses where there is someone present all day to receive the goods.

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Unfortunately we do not ship bikes, components, accessories or apparel outside the country.

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Returns & Exchanges

Free 30-Day Bike Returns We're incredibly confident that you'll love our wide range of bikes; however, if for any reason you don't, we've got you covered with our free 30-day return policy.

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Damage caused from improper use, abuse of the policy or incorrect assembly - such as pedal threads being damaged, dirt on the tyres, scratches on the frame, or any other damages, will be charged at full retail rates.

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At BikesOnline, we believe that finding the perfect saddle for your bike is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

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At BikesOnline, we always look to provide our customers with the best possible shopping experience, which is why we offer a large range of high-quality cycling gear and apparel, including bib-shorts, chamois & swimwear/wetsuits.

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About

We are an Australian owned, online specialty retailer of road bikes, mountain bikes, parts, accessories, and clothing.

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BikesOnline is a purely online business - we don't have a physical showroom but operate from our head office.

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We pride ourselves on our ability to import products efficiently.

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To learn more about our Fleet Programme, please click here.

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Looking to hire or rent a Polygon bicycle in Sydney? Visit our bike rental shop.

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To learn more about our Privacy Policy, please click here.

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General Terms and Conditions.

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Assembly Guides

Congratulations on your new bike! For us, there’s nothing more exciting than building your bike.

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Congratulations on your new bike! For us, there’s nothing more exciting than building your bike.

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Congratulations on your new ebike! For us, there’s nothing more exciting than building your ebike.

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Assembling your new bike is one of the most exciting tasks ever, we agree.

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This article will guide you through how to install the front wheel on your new bike.

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Assembling your new bike is one of the most exciting tasks ever, we agree.

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Dropper posts are a game changer for mountain biking, allowing you to have your optimal pedalling position for climbing and with a simple press of the lever, you can push the saddle down to slay the descents.

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This article will guide you through how to install the mudguard on your Fox 36 and 38 suspension forks.

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Exciting times ahead! This article will guide you through what comes with your new bike and how to unpack it.

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In case you need to re-pack your bike for travelling or shipping, follow this step-by-step guide to ensure it will reach its destination in great shape, by reducing the chances of damage in transit.

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All our bikes with a dropper post will not have their lever installed onto the left side of your handlebar, next to the brake lever clamp on the handlebar.

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Bike Care

The BikesOnline Service Network is a convenient way to get your bike repaired or serviced if something doesn't feel right, right out of the box.

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To stay safe on the trails and road, it is important to do a safety check to ensure your bike is in running order! Jared goes over his top tips for a pre-ride check that you can follow along before a ride.

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The frequency you should get your bike serviced will vary depending on the frequency you ride it.

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Your suspension components need to be serviced on a regular basis to keep working properly and also for consumer guarantee reasons.

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A clean bike is a fast bike - we can’t stress this enough, keeping your bike clean is not only beneficial to your components lifespan and performance, it’s also good for morale.

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Cleaning and maintaining your drivetrain might not be the most exciting task in the cycling world, but it sure is very important.

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Unfortunately we can’t be out riding bikes at all times, we still need to sleep or eat at some point of the day.

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Transporting your bike is usually a sign of good times ahead! For that we are more than happy to provide resources on how to transport your bike safely, so there are no hiccups during the journey and you can make the most out of your riding time.

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Adjustments & Fit

After assembling your new bike, the first thing to do is the initial bike fit, in other words, customizing the bike measurements according to your body dimensions in order to achieve the most effective riding position.

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Correctly setting up the suspension is crucial for proper handling of your bike.

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One of the most simple things you can do to your bike to improve the quality of your ride is checking and adjusting your tyre pressure periodically.

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There are three main types of pedals, Flat Pedals, Mountain Bike Clipless and Road Clipless.

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When browsing for your next bike you may sometimes consider the possibility of upgrading some parts in order to make the bike more suitable for your riding style.

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Workshop Series

Beside being a lot of fun, bikes are also a way of transport that requires regular maintenance just like a motorbike or a car.

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In this biking tutorial we tackle common issues riders face on their journeys.

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Assembling your new bike is one of the most exciting tasks ever, we agree.

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Ride your bike enough and you’ll understand the importance of performing a periodical safety check.

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Welcome to the Workshop Series, today we’ll be guiding you through the rear derailleur adjustment for a mechanical, or cable activated groupset.

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Welcome to the Workshop Series, today we’ll be guiding you through the rim brake adjustments.

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Welcome to the Workshop Series, today we’ll be guiding you through the disc brake adjustments.

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Having a flat while out riding is never a good feeling, but if you master the tube replacement practice you’ll be able to get back on the road, or trail, in no time.

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A lot has been discussed around tubeless tyres and how they can be beneficial for a number of reasons.

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Hey there! We understand your worries, and it's great that you're keeping an eye out for potential issues.

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Owner's Manuals

To see the Polygon Bikes User Manuals, click here.

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To see the Marin Bikes User Manuals, click here.

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To see the THOK Bikes User Manuals, click here.

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Please refer to the links below for more information on your Rockshox components:   Rockshox Suspension Setup and Tuning Guide Rockshox/Sram Service Resources Rockshox/Sram User Manuals Rockshox Service Intervals .

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Please refer to the links below for more information on your Fox components:  Fox Factory Tune Fox Tuning Guides Fox User Manuals Fox Service Intervals     .

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Please refer to the links below for more information on your SR Suntour components:   SR Suntour Owners Manuals SR Suntour SAG Tool SR Suntour General Suspension Fork Manual SR Suntour Rear Shock Owner's Manual .

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Please click here for more information on your Shimano components: Shimano Manuals & Technical Documents .

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Please click here for more information on your Sram components: Sram Service Archive .

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In this article you'll find all technical information, including service instructions for your bike components.

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Archive

To see Polygon Bike Archive, click here.

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To see Marin Bike Archive, click here.

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Please click here for the Rockshox archive.

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Please click here for the Fox archive: Fox Archive .

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Please click here for the SR Suntour archive: SR Suntour Archive .

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Hardtail MTB

What size are the wheels? All cascade models (2, 3, 4) and frame size come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Premier 4 and 5 come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Syncline 2, 3 and 5 come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Xtrada 5, 6 and 7 come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Cleo 2 comes with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The El Roy comes with 29" wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Pine Mountain series come with 29" wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The San Quentin series comes with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Team series comes with 29" wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Bobcat Trail series come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Bolinas Ridge series come with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Wildcat Trail series come with 27.

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Dual Suspension MTB

What size are the wheels? The Siskiu D5 comes in 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Siskiu D24 series comes in 24 inch wheels only.

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What size are the wheels? The Siskiu T7 and T8 come in 27.

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What size are the wheels? Across the entire Alpine Trail range you can expect a standard 29 inch wheel platform for all models.

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What size are the wheels? Across the entire Rift Zone 27.

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What size are the wheels? Across the entire Rift Zone 29 range you can expect a standard 29 inch wheel platform for all models.

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What size are the wheels? The Rift Zone Jr comes in 2 different wheel sizes, 24 inch and 26 inch.

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Road & Gravel

What riding style is this geometry intended for? Perfect for entry level road cyclists looking to take on their first Gran Fondo, conquer their first triathlon or get involved with their local riding group on casual endurance rides.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? This is a modern road bike with an accommodating endurance geometry for a more upright riding position.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? An upright commanding riding position to tackle rough gravel roads or city streets with a priority on stability and control How many gears does this bike come equipped with? A wide ranging drivetrain with variations across the range from 2x9spd to the latest 1x11spd Gravel Specific system from Shimano Are the wheels tubeless ready? The wheelset is ready to go tubeless when you'd like, all you need is some tyres and tubeless kit from our website and you can do the conversion at home.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? Long days on the saddle discovering new gravel trails just for the sake of exploring.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? All day touring off road or back country scenic roads How many gears does this bike come equipped with? 3x9spd wide ranging touring centric gear set Are the wheels tubeless ready? The wheelset is ready to go tubeless when you'd like, all you need is some tyres and tubeless kit from our website and you can do the conversion at home.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? An upright MTB based riding position for tackling both smooth and rough roads How many gears does this bike come equipped with? The Gaselt range offers bikes with 1x11spd drivetrains and also 2x8spd drivetrains at the entry level Are the wheels tubeless ready? The wheelset is ready to go tubeless when you'd like, all you need is some tyres and tubeless kit from our website and you can do the conversion at home.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? The Lombard has an upright position that's as at home commuting into the city as it is rolling round country lanes on the weekend How many gears does this bike come equipped with? 2x9spd drivetrain Are the wheels tubeless ready? Unfortunately these wheels are not tubeless ready because are built with durability in mind for riding off into the sunset where sealant top ups are not possible.

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What riding style is this geometry intended for? The Nicasio has an upright position that's as at home commuting into the city as it is rolling round country lanes on the weekend How many gears does this bike come equipped with? There are several models that range in gear sets of 2x8spd to 2x10spd Are the wheels tubeless ready? Unfortunately these wheels are not tubeless ready because they are built with durability in mind where you might be hitting potholes or for riding off into the sunset where sealant top ups are not possible.

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Path & Pavement

What size are the wheels? The Path Series features a 700c wheel size (29" diameter).

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What size are the wheels? The Heist series comes with 700c (29 inch) wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Urbano comes with 20" wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Fairfax Series features a 700c wheel size (29" diameter).

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What size are the wheels? The Muirwoods come with 700c wheel size (29" diameter).

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What size are the wheels? The Presidio range comes with 700c wheels (29 inch).

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What size are the wheels? The DSX series comes with 700c wheels (29 inch).

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What size are the wheels? The Kentfield series comes with 700c (29 inch) wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Larkspur comes with 27.

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E-Bikes

What is the main difference between the N8E and the THOK TK-01R? The main difference between the N8E and the THOK TK-01R is the frame.

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What is the main difference between the T7E and the N8E? The main difference between the T7E and the N8E is the drivetrain.

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What is the main difference between the T6E and the T7E? The main difference between the T6E and the T7E is the suspension.

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The bike comes with 29x2.

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What size are the wheels? The Path E comes with 27.

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What size are the wheels? The Gili Velo comes with 20" wheels.

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What size are the wheels? The Alpine Trail E series comes in a "mullet" configuration (27.

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What size are the wheels? The Sausalito comes with 650b (27.

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What is the best use for the THOK TK-01R? The THOK TK-01R is a great choice for riders who are looking for a high-performance E-MTB.

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Kids Bikes

What size are the wheels? The Siskiu D24 series comes in 24 inch wheels only.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 5-8yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 7-12yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 5-8yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 5-8yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 7-12yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 7-12yo.

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What size are the wheels? The Rift Zone Jr.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 5-8yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 7-12yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 5-8yo.

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What age group is this bike intended for? This bike is intended for riders from 7-12yo.

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Dirt Jumpers & BMX

What size are the wheels? This model is fitted with 26 inch wheels.

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What size are the wheels? This model is fitted with 26 inch wheels.

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What size are the wheels? This model is fitted with 20 inch wheels.

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What size are the wheels? This model is fitted with 20 inch wheels.

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What size are the wheels? This model is fitted with 26 inch wheels.

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Consumer Guarantee

At BikesOnline we want to make sure our customers are supported to ride more and stress less.

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At BikesOnline we are committed to providing you with the best possible prices.

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As bike riders we can all agree - accidents happen - and as much as we would love to avoid it, sometimes they are inevitable.

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Your suspension components need to be serviced on a regular basis to keep working properly and also for consumer guarantee reasons.

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The frequency you should get your bike serviced will vary depending on the frequency you ride it.

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Shimano is synonymous with quality and durability in the cycling industry.

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Sram, Rockshox, and Zipp are esteemed brands known for their excellence in the cycling industry.

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At BikesOnline, we're proud to offer an exceptional warranty experience that surpasses industry standards.

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Technical Manuals

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CLOSE ARTICLE

Bike Anatomy Explained

As simple as a bike can be, a lot of the terminology and names can be quite confusing. This piece will talk you through the bike parts and terms used when describing bike parts and the areas on a bike. We will start from the front and work out way back, going through every major component.  






  FRAMESET   


 

 

Frameset is the combination of frame and forks - quite straight forward for . When describing a bike, you will often hear the frame referred to as the front and rear triangles. The front triangle refers to the top tube, down tube and seat tube. The way a bike fits the rider is determined by the measurements of these tubes. The front triangle houses the bottom bracket and most of the suspension components on an Mtb.

 



 

The rear triangle was traditionally attached to the seat tube, and it comprised the seat stay and chainstay. While this is still relevant to hardtails and road bikes, the rear triangle isn’t fixed on a dual-suspension system. The seat and chainstays are attached to links on the seat tube. The rear triangle is essentially floating, which allows the rear wheel to travel up and down.  

 

 



  HEADSET  



 

 

 

The "headset" refers to the bearings in the head tube which allow the fork to rotate in the frame. Without these bearings, you wouldn't be able to turn the handlebars. 


Headset bearings don't just come in one size, unfortunately. Thankfully our My Garage system will be able to point you in the right direction. 




 

Some common symptoms that your headset bearings need replacing are a knocking or “crunchy” feeling when you turn your handlebars. A creaking or knocking sound can be heard when the bearing is contacting directly with the “cup” that holds the bearing in place. Coating the interface of the bearings and cup with high-quality grease can fix this issue. 


If you ever remove the forks or the bearings and they are no longer a solid unit, they need replacing asap. If you feel any of these fixes are beyond you, any good local bike shop will be able to help. 

 

 



  STEM   




 

The stem is one of the most basic parts on a bike; however, it can cause a dramatic effect on the handling characteristics and a bike fit. 

On an MTB, a stem length between 35 and 70mm. Any longer and the bike's steering will feel sloppy and slow. Longer stems can also set a rider's weight over the front angle. When heading down a steep trail, it can cause a rider to be pitched too far forward, so a shorter stem is used. 


A longer stem will help stop the front wheel from rising when climbing up a steep trail. Some Xc riders will also have a negative rise stem to get their weight forward and low for pure climbing efficiency. 


On a road bike, stem length is used to adjust a rider's fit within reason. Most road bikes use a 90-110mm long stem. You will see pro riders with smaller frames and longer stems to maintain a short, stiff and agile wheelbase. You will also notice their stems are extremely low to get their body in the best aerodynamic position and maintain a good climbing position. We wouldn't recommend mimicking an extreme body position and riding style unless you are 100% sure. 



 

 

It is more important for most riders to be in a comfortable position that they can ride in at all times as they are rarely racing. If you feel stretched and are reaching for the bars, try a shorter stem. If you are cramped and feel like you are too upright, a longer stem may help. 





  HANDLEBARS   




While handlebar width is extremely important to the bike's handling, bar height is just as important yet often overlooked. Bar width will change how stable a bike feels; wider will add stability, while narrower will speed up the steering. 


If the bars are too wide, you may find it difficult to move the bike around effectively because your arms are extended, and the range of movement will be diminished. Because you have to move the bars further to make a significant change in direction, this adds stability. Still, it requires more input from riders when they need to make the bike change direction faster. 



 

 

Narrow bars make a bike more agile and speed up the handling but to the detriment of stability. If the bars are too narrow, it can make a bike twitchy and erratic. If it is too narrow, you may also find it difficult to breathe as your chest will be closed up.


It is best to aim to match your bar width to your shoulder width with 2cm added. When experimenting with bar width is best by starting wide and trimming fractionally. You can always take more off but, you can't add more on. 





  FRONT THRU AXLE   


 

The front thru-axle passes through the fork dropouts and the hub to hold the front wheel in. Unlike common quick release or bolt-on axles, the thru-axle is a completely separate part of the hub assembly. Because of this, it is the fork that determines what axle is used. 



 

 

Rockshox tends to use their own standard called the Maxle, which is available in a quick release or stealth (Allen key) style screw in the axle on mountain bikes. Fox use their standard QR style with their floating axle design or a “Kabolt” Allen key bolt with a pinch axle. Suntour uses their Q-Loc system that differs from both and is as simple as pushing the axle through and closing the lever. All axles are now 15mm thick and will work with a majority of hubs as long as the width is compatible. The two major widths are  100mm and 110mm, with all new bikes using the latter. 



 

 

Road bikes with rim brakes use a standard 9mm QR that has been on bikes for years. They are light, easy to use and fairly common sizes. Newer road bikes that have disc brakes use a 12mm thru-axle for safety. Although they use the same width hubs across all bikes, each axle is specifically designed for the brand and their fork. It is not as simple as buying any axle. However, we offer you the right axles in “My Garage” and tech documents. 





  HUBS   


 

Hubs are the heart of a wheel, and while they may seem simple, there are a few different variants. Front hubs are available in multiple widths, axle sizes and brake styles. The standard quick release axle is a 9mm axle that is 100mm wide. This is common for all road bikes with calliper brakes. You can get a 100mm wide hub with a 12mm thru-axle for road and a 15mm axle for “non-boost”  MTB forks. Some older bikes predating 2009 will have a 20mm axle. Boost refers to a 110mm hub width available in a 12mm axle for road and 15mm thru-axle for MTB. 



Rear hubs are available in “boost” and “non-boost”. Boost hubs are 148mm wide and use a 15mm thru-axle in MTB or a 12mm axle in road bikes. “Non Boost” hubs are 142mm wide and come in 9mm, 12mm or 15mm axle widths. A rare standard called “super boost” uses the older DH standard of 157mm wide hubs, but this is a very niche hub size.





  FREEHUB   



 



The gears on a rear hub slide onto a part called a "freehub". There are 4 major styles of freehubs that relate to the brand of the drivetrain. SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo all use different freehub splines to hold the cassettes. The only common one shared between a few brands is Shimano's "Hyper glide" freehub. Used for most 8/9/10/11 speed cassettes from SRAM or Shimano, where the smallest gear has 11 teeth. 



SRAM pioneered using a 10 tooth gear as the smallest gear on their first 11-speed wide-range cassette. The major change that allowed such a small gear was the XD driver. An XD driver has no splines, and the cassettes screw directly onto the freehub. SRAMS 12-speed eagle drive train on mountain bikes still use XD however, the AXS 12 speed on-road uses XDR. Sram NX and SX level 12 speed cassettes still use an HG freehub; however, you will only get an 11 tooth small gear. 



 

 

Shimano has used the HG freehub for many years now, but there are some variants. All 8,9, and 10-speed cassettes fit the same HG freehub body. 11-speed road cassettes are 1.85mm wider and require the wider 11 speed HG freehub body. 8,9 and 10-speed cassettes will fit the 11-speed hg freehub with the right combination of spacers. Shimano 12 speed uses a "Micro spline" freehub to use a smaller 10 tooth cog. Micro spline freehubs ONLY work with Shimano 12 speed cassettes. 

 

 

 




Campagnolo is a Italian component manufacture that uses its own freehub for both 12 and 11-speed drive trains. As this is not on any of our bikes, there is no need to go into detail; however, if you plan on upgrading to Campagnolo on a road bike, you should keep that in mind. Please reach out to our service team if you have any questions.






  BRAKES   


 

 

 

Brakes come in 2 major styles with 4 subcategories. The first style is the rim brake which uses rubber pads to clamp the rim and slow the bike. The second style is a disc brake which uses callipers to clamp pads on a disc attached to the hub. The final style is kickback or coaster hub brakes which expand brake shoes inside the hub to slow the bike down. 



 

 

Rim brakes are available in the V-brake style and the U-Brake style. Most bikes that are used off-road and may experience the tyres getting muddy use V-Brakes. This is because V-Brakes sit further away from the tyre and the chances of them getting clogged by debris are low. V-Brakes also use larger pads on larger levers to clamp the rim, so they are naturally more powerful. 


U-Brakes only allow a maximum tyre width of 28mm, so they are specifically on high-performance road bikes. They are light, have excellent modulation and are super powerful. With the advancement of wheels and the increasing use of carbon fibre rims, U-brakes started to show their weakness. Excess heat can damage a carbon rim, and the braking surface is smooth, so there was decreased performance. 



 

 

Disc brakes are available in hydraulic or cable variations. Cable discs are operated by a brake cable and are the cheaper, more basic option. The simplicity leads to reliability and easy serviceability. They perform amazingly in commuting and light off-road use thanks to their ability to clear water or debris easily. 


Hydraulic discs are essentially the same technology as what your car or motorbike use in a smaller package. Hydraulic discs offer supreme power, greater modulation and reliability. Unfortunately, they are a little tougher to work on and bleeding the system requires special tools.  These are for you if you are riding aggressive MTB, fast road descents, or just want powerful brakes. 


Discs come in two different mounting styles, 6 bolt and centre lock. The style of disc you use is dependent on the hub's mounting style. We have provided pictures below to show you the differences. 





  DERAILLEURS   


 

Front or rear derailleurs are often also referred to as mechs. They are the components responsible for shifting the chain between gears. Although SRAM and Shimano both have the same gears on many drivetrains, the parts are not interchangeable. A Shimano shifter won’t work with a SRAM rear derailleur and vice versa. 



 


Derailleurs are also specific to the number of gears on the cassette.  You can only use a 12-speed mech on a 12-speed cassette, an 11-speed mech on an 11-speed cassette and so on. 


The amount of teeth you have on the largest cog also determines the rear mech you can use. If you have a 32 tooth cassette, then a derailleur only rated to a 30 tooth will never work effectively. So make sure when you are upgrading or changing the cassette/rear mech, you notice their limitations. 

 

 

 





  TYRES   


 

Road bike tyres have evolved massively over the last 5 years, with many riders finding that bigger can be better. The measurements seem confusing but are actually quite simple. The most common wheel diameter is 700mm, and they often run a 25-45mm tyre width range. 650b wheels have gained some popularity in the gravel market over the last few years thanks to bigger tyres that add comfort and traction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-performance road bikes will run a 25-28mm tyre width that balances comfort and performance. Modern road bikes come with 28-35mm widths for extra comfort and traction on rougher roads and longer rides. Gravel and cyclocross run 33mm to 50mm, often with knobs for extra traction. 


The “C” you see on tyres just relates to the fact it is a clincher tyre. This label is almost redundant as most tyres are clinchers and no longer tubular like the old days. 


If you look at your tyres, they will say 700x32c, 650X50c or 700x28c, all depending on the tyres you have. The first number relates to the wheel diameter, and the second is the width.  These are the only numbers worth noting on the tyres. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mountain bikes use inches for some unknown reasons but, it is what it is. Many years ago, the most common size was 26 inch.  In the modern-day, 27.5 and 29 inch are the most common. 


MTB tyres will read a 29 or 27.5x 2.1/2.25/2.3/2.4/2.5/2.6, with the second number being the tyre width at the knobs. Bikes like xc bikes will only accommodate a maximum width of 2.3. Trail and enduro bikes use a 2.3-2.6 wide tyre. If you want more traction, better tracking through the rough and more comfort, then a wider tyre will give you that. 

 

 

 






  BOTTOM BRACKET    


 

The bottom bracket refers to the bearings that retain the crank spindle in the frame. When cranks were a 3 piece component where the two crank arms were attached to a common spindle, the bottom bracket was a separate component that included the spindle. 




 

Modern 2 piece cranks have the spindle permanently attached to one of the cranks. Bearings are either pressed or screwed into the frame, and the spindle slides through the bearings. This has made the components cheaper, better quality and much more reliable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to the extra stress bottom brackets encounter from dirt, stress and lack of cleaning, they can be a major noise source. To avoid any noise or issues, it is important to keep the bearings lubricated, clean and maintained to the best of your ability. They are a disposable wear item, so it isn’t uncommon to replace them regularly. 





  SEAT POST   



 

 

 

Like many other components, the humble seat post has undergone numerous changes over the years. There is no such thing as one standard size, and there are dropper posts to consider as well. Finding what diameter seat post you need is simple as it is stamped into the post. If you simply pull the post out, you will find the diameter on the back. 


Dropper seat posts are the greatest invention since the wheel for mountain bikes. At the flick of a lever, you can lower the post from your optimum pedalling seat height to a position better suited to descending. 


The amount of drop can vary from 125mm to 200mm for most brands. It is often advised that you find the most amount of drop that accommodates your maximum seat height. If you are unsure what is best for you, reach out to our experienced support team. 





  SUSPENSION LINKAGE   

 

 

 

 

 

 

While specific to MTB, Suspension linkages are important to ensure they are torqued to spec often. A loose linkage or pivot bolt will be noisy and cause extra flex in the frame and hinder suspension performance or cause damage. Keeping them tight and clean will expand your frames lifetime by years.