New bike help!

[Andi19]

Hi,

I am very new to biking; I have just bought a used GT Avalanche 2.0 from a friend of a friend as I was advised not to buy a cheap bike and better off buying a used bike that is better built, as I am very new to biking I am not sure if I have bought the right bike or not...

I am 6' tall, what size bike should I have bought? How do I know what size bike I have, I have measured the wheels and they are 27", is this the bike size? The ride height feels fine, but it does feel a little small to ride (it has been 10 years since I rode a bike though!).

Any advice on size, bike type would be greatly appreciated, I paid £30 today for a service (I had hoped for some advice) he sorted out the clicking of the gears and told me I need a new chain - how do I know what chain and what chain size to buy?

Thanks in advance!

Andi

 

[lulubel]

I am 6' tall, what size bike should I have bought? How do I know what size bike I have, I have measured the wheels and they are 27", is this the bike size? The ride height feels fine, but it does feel a little small to ride (it has been 10 years since I rode a bike though!).

No, the wheels aren't the bike size. I'm not sure how GT describe their sizes (small/medium/large or actual measurements), but it doesn't really matter because there's a lot more to getting a bike to fit than how the manufacturer describes it. Can you get someone to take some photos of you stood over the bike, and sat on it as if you were riding it? There are plenty of people here who could give you advice from that.

I paid £30 today for a service (I had hoped for some advice) he sorted out the clicking of the gears and told me I need a new chain - how do I know what chain and what chain size to buy?

Personally, I'd ask how much it would cost for him to fit a suitable chain for you. I don't know much about chains, but I'm sure someone else will be along who does.

 

[HLaB]

The chain you need to buy depend on the number of gear on your bike (or more specifically the number of cogs on the rear), it'll either be 6-8 speed, 9 speed or 10 speed and this will determine the width of chain you need. Lengths not a problem, it'll come a little long you just need to remove a few links and shorten it (the easiest way assuming all operates OK at the moment, is to make it the same number of links as the old chain). You will probably also need to get a new cassette/ freewheel too, or it and a new chain will likely slip.

 

[Atyl1972]

my advice would be to find a local bike shop that you can trust and ask them their advice on your bike and see what they come up with, i believe it is very important to build up a decent rapport with your local bike shop, and don't be afraid to ask anything this is what they're there for, to help...and if you feel you haven't had the help and support you're after, then find another local bike shop, near where i live there are no decent bike shops, well the staff anyways so my new LBS is just shy of 20 miles however, this benefits me as its on route to my place of work and they are the friendliest bunch i have found so far, so I'm sticking with them, hope this helps and you get the bike sorted, also check on you tube for fitment videos theres bound to be at least a few on there that will match what you've bought

Hi,

I am very new to biking; I have just bought a used GT Avalanche 2.0 from a friend of a friend as I was advised not to buy a cheap bike and better off buying a used bike that is better built, as I am very new to biking I am not sure if I have bought the right bike or not...

I am 6' tall, what size bike should I have bought? How do I know what size bike I have, I have measured the wheels and they are 27", is this the bike size? The ride height feels fine, but it does feel a little small to ride (it has been 10 years since I rode a bike though!).

Any advice on size, bike type would be greatly appreciated, I paid £30 today for a service (I had hoped for some advice) he sorted out the clicking of the gears and told me I need a new chain - how do I know what chain and what chain size to buy?

Thanks in advance!

Andi