Why haven't I seen these bikes around before?

Most major brands have been promoting the use of "Mountain Bikes" as the best bike for every day use since the 1970's. The truth is a mountain bike was initially designed for use on..... a mountain! The mountain bike trend was largely a marketing push started by the American brands. Australia has been heavily influenced by the American market.

In Europe, or more precisely Holland, where the bicycle reins supreme, it didn't make any sense to use a mountain bike for going to the shops, riding to work in a suit or Mum carrying the kids to school. Dutch commuter bikes were simply more comfortable and practical. Truth is, the Dutch have been light years ahead in the commuting bike game. There has also been a perception in Australia that bicycling is purely a sporting activity. That is now changing rapidly as many people are choosing the bicycle for transport as well.

What are these bikes like to ride?

It is interesting to watch the faces of people who ride a Gazelle for the first time. It usually comes with a big smile! Personally we believe if you are considering buying a bike you should always try it out first. Ride as many different bikes as you practically can before you hand over your hard earned money! We recommend you visit a Gazelle Dealer to organise a test ride and make your own mind up. As far as hybrid/city bikes go, we strongly believe you won't find a nicer ride than the Gazelle. It simply glides along.

What is the difference between the "Step-through" and "Men's" frame?

In theory, women ride the step-through bikes and men ride the bikes with a top tube. In practice both bikes are unisex. Personally we (2 guys) like the step through versions for it's easy entry/exit setup. Traditionally bicycles that have a top tube have a stiffer frame resulting in a more efficient ride. While this may be important if you are riding the Tour De France, we haven't noticed any difference between the two frame styles for city riding.

How is the proper frame height measured?

To learn more about how to choose the correct frame size: Click here

How many gears should I go for?

Gazelle has a few gear options for you:

How long is the warranty on a new Gazelle?

Gazelle is the first bicycle manufacturer in the Netherlands awarded with the ISO 9001 quality certificate. This internationally recognised certificate has been awarded to Gazelle because of continued superior quality control management. Hence Gazelle provides a 10-year warranty against defects in materials and construction on the frame and on non-spring front forks. Of course, this applies to "normal" use of the bicycle. The warranty is 5 years for suspended front forks. For paint coating there is a period of 5 years. For components (such as tires and parts), a period of 2 years under normal use.

Is my bike equipped with anti-puncture tires?

The Gazelle bikes are equipped with top-quality Vredestein and Schwalbe tyres. These tyres have been developed according to the latest technological insights. An example of this are the tyres with anti-leak protection. These may consist of a special profile on the outside, but also by the use of thicker inner walls and special rubber material. These tyres will substantially reduce the chance of a puncture.

Why do Gazelle's bicycles have a chain guard?

The chain guard serves a few important functions. Firstly it allows you to wear any clothes without them getting caught in the chain wheel. On standard bikes if you were to wear pants this would usually mean tucking your trousers into your socks to avoid them getting torn to shreds leading to a potentially dangerous fall. The chain guard keeps your clothes clean and also keeps the chain cleaner as well resulting in a longer service life. Once you have a commuter bike with a chain guard you will not go back!

Where can parts for the bike be ordered?

Parts can be ordered through your Gazelle dealer. We carry a wide selection of spares in Australia. All Gazelle spares come from The Netherlands and there may be a few weeks for your component to be supplied for special items.

I noticed that most Gazelle bikes come with a built in wheel lock. What do I do if I lose a key?

Most Gazelle bikes come standard with a high quality AXA wheel lock. When engaged, this wheel lock stops the rear wheel spinning. Coupled with a conventional chain lock, this system provides maximum security for your Gazelle. Gazelle uses a quality Dutch brand called AXA for its locks.

It is very important to write the key number down when you buy your Gazelle. If you lose both keys and don't have the key number written down, we cannot help you and the lock will need to be taken to a locksmith or removed. We recommend that as soon as you lose a key, order in a spare straight away. For information on ordering new keys: Click here

Some of these bikes feature Rollerbrakes. What are they?

From Dutch experience, the perfect brake on a city bike will be reliable, maintain performance in wet and dry conditions, handle abuse and be low maintenance. The Rollerbrake is a great component to these requirements. It is a closed and protected system and is therefore a very low maintenance system perfect for city bikes.

What is the benefit of a carbon frame or parts that appear on the GoldLine?

Carbon is a ultralight material that has no less than 12 layers of carbon braided and pressed, but is just as strong as steel. This means you get more speed from the same effort. This can come in real handy if you use your gazelle everyday or for longer commutes. Generally, the bikes that feature carbon fibre are 25% lighter than comparable city bikes and therefore a good choice for people who need to carry bikes up stairs often.