Some useful information all about bikes and the cycling sport. Keep on checking from time to time as we expand this page.

Bike shops in Guangzhou

There are many bicycle shops in Guangzhou. You can get everything from a RMB 200 bicycle up to highest end bike that will cost you RMB 50,000. Obviously you will not make it far on a very cheap bicycle however you also don't need to break your budget to get something that will serve your needs.

The shops listed below carry a good selection of bike parts, ready assembled bicycles as well as all accessories that are needed for a safe bike ride and trip. You can also bring in your bike for a full service with a very small fee being charged.

An alternative recommendation is the local Decathlon Sports Store next to the Olympic Sports Center (Guangzhou largest stadium). They carry a good selection of entry bikes as well as lots of apparel and other accessories. Decathlon is the perfect place to get bikes for your kids. 

Anyway, here are 4 shops that we recommend to get your bike and all necessary gear.

TREK    easternsolar@gmail.com

Pro Shop in Uni Town

Hong Yang     www.leadbike.com

Proshop / Freebike     www.freebike.net

The Bike Anatomy

1. Seat Stay - The part of the frame that connects the top of the seat tube to the rear dropout. It usually intersects the seat tube near where the top tube joins the seat tube.

2. Front Derailleur - The mechanism that moves the chain from one chainring to another (found above the bottom bracket).

3. Frame  - A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted.- A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted.

4. Headset - The components (including the ball bearings) that allow the handlebar to rotate and steer the fork.

5. Head tube - The head tube contains the headset, the interface with the fork. In an integrated threadless headset, the bearings interface directly with the metal surface on the inside of the head tube.

6. Fork - Holds the front wheel and provides shock absorption so the rider can keep the front wheel on the ground and maintain steering control over the bike.

7. Dropouts - The slots on the frame and fork that hold the wheel axles.

8. Cassette - Toothed cogs that make up the gears (attached to the rear wheel).

9. Rear Derailleur - The mechanism that moves the chain from one gear to another (found below the rear dropout).

10. Chainstay - A section of the frame that connects bottom bracket to rear dropout.

11. Bottom Bracket - The bottom bracket includes the pedal axle and bearings.

12. Chainrings - Toothed rings that directly connect to the crank.

13. Crank - Connects the pedals to the chainring.

14. Pedal - With clip mechanism to lock to the bottom of the shoes.

15. Down tube - Frame tube that connects the bottom bracket to the Head Tube.

What you always wanted to know.....

How to pee while on the saddle

Rule 1: Make sure you're safe from legal repercussions.
Urinating in public may violate indecent exposure, public nuisance, and disorderly conduct laws. In some states, you can become a sex offender for urinating in public. You don't want to have to knock on your neighbors' doors and notify them of your status. It's awkward.

Rule 2: Make sure you're riding on a slight decline.
If you’re going too fast, you don't want to lose control of your bike. If you’re going too slow, you don’t want to have to pedal midstream. You might as well just stop and get off your bike.

Rule 3: Learn the proper technique.
Extend one leg and rotate the opposite hip towards the extended leg. Free your member from the top or bottom of the shorts, and let it flow. Tap as necessary.

Easy enough! I was all set. On the way into work, I found a nice, remote location with a slight decline and got ready to go. That's when I learned one more rule to successful relief on a bicycle:

Rule 4: Make sure you really need to go.
The first time you try this, understand that Nature doesn't just have to be making a polite house call, ding-dong. Nature needs to be banging on the door with an oak cudgel, shouting and threatening to breaks windows.

After work, I didn't stop by the bathroom on my way to the bike cage, and I downed two bottles of water. I was good and ready. Almost too ready. After a painful twenty-minute ride through traffic, I finally got to a trail where I could get on with my business. I don't want to go into the details of my experience, but let's just say I learned two new rules:

Rule 5: Account for shrinkage.
You may not have as much capacity for extension as when you started the ride.

Rule 6: Once you start, don't stop until you're done.
It doesn't matter if you think you see the lights of an approaching car or an oncoming cyclist. Stay committed. Otherwise, you'll finish your ride with a soggy bottom.