Ada Bike Shop

  "Making The Best Bikes Better"

Frequently Asked Questions

Every so often we are asked a really tough question that requires us to pull out our dictionary and thesaurus. This page will be the result of our combined knowledge used to answer commonly asked questions...We hope they will help you out.

What chain lube should I use?

How often should I lube my chain?

I'm (insert your height here) tall, what size bike should I ride?

Where Should I ride?

What size bike should my child ride?

What kind of bicycle is right for me?

What chain lube should I use? Most of the employees here use T9 Boeshield. Its good in all conditions and easy to apply. Excellent in dry and wet conditions since it contains a small amount of wax, which means it repels water AND dirt.

How often should I lube my chain? When it needs it--your chain should never feel dry to the touch, there should always be a light coat of lubrication. If your chain is squeaking, its well past due for a fresh coat of lube! Best way to lubricate your chain is to apply one drop to each pin/roller assembly and wipe off AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE leaving a very light coat. Some lubes require 20 minutes or more to dry before use, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions.

I'm (insert your height here) tall, what size bike should I ride? There is no blanket answer for what size someone of a given height should ride! Since everyone is built a little different, two people of the same height may be on completely different frame sizes. We are more than happy to fit you to your existing bicycle or fit you to a new bicycle using our extensive fit knowledge and comprehensive fit systems.

Where Should I ride? There are many places to ride all over the local area, and around Michigan. A great place to start is to get a trail atlas or stop in any bike shop for suggestions for rides. Also there is a published map created by the city of Grand Rapids for suggested routes and rides.

What size bike should my child ride? There is no exact formula for getting the right size bicycle for your child. The best way to determine the proper size is to try them out on many sizes, and see which they feel comfortable with. With a child, confidence is paramount so it's important that they can confidently handle the bicycle.

What kind of bicycle is right for me? There are many types of bicycles out there, and it is to your benefit. The best way to determine the right bike is to bring an open mind when shopping for a bicycle, and try as many of them as possible to find the right one for you.