FAQ
1 Frequently Asked Questions
1.1 How do I figure out the bicycle size I need?

Fitting a person to a bicycle can be a complex task. However, the very first thing to know is your Pubic Bone Height or PBH. We're a big fan of Rivendell's measuring method, which you can see here:

 

 

Subtract 11 from that and you'll know more or less your seat height, as measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle, though you'll need to ride and fiddle to make sure.

 

Our bicycles are often measured between the bottom bracket and the intersection between the top tube and seattube, or sometimes from the bottom bracket to the top of the seattube.

 

Model Frame Size Minimum PBH
Hog's Back 47cm 76cm
  51cm 80cm
  54cm 83cm
  58cm 87cm
Rachel 47cm 69cm
  51cm 74cm
  55cm 77cm
  59cm 81cm
Le Montréal 46cm 75cm
  49cm 78cm
  52cm 81cm
  55cm 84cm
  58cm 87cm
  61cm 90cm
Bloomfield 47cm 76cm
  50cm 79cm
  53cm 82cm
  56cm 85cm

 

Feel free to write to us with your PBH and any fitting questions you may have for Bassi bikes here.

1.2 How will you deliver my order?

We encourage our clients in Montreal to have orders delivered by bicycle in most central neighbourhoods of the City. Chasseur Courriers deliver for us, and they're true professionals, not to mention good friends of ours. One or two delivery days a week, for a very affordable rate. 

This service is available for all neighbourhoods between the rivers, out to Viau in the East (to Pie-IX north of the 40, to Saint-Michel north of Industrial Bvd), and out to the following neighbourhoods in the West, inclusively: Ahuntsic to the 15; TMR; NDG to the 15; Cote-des-Neiges and Monkland to Beaconsfield Ave; Saint-Henri; Ville-Emard; and Verdun down to 6th Ave.

 

For all other delivery within Canada, we use Canada Post tracked services. For deliveries that are too large to mail, such as a bicycle, we deliver via our choice of package service for a flat rate.

 

For USA orders, we ship via Canada Post (USPS handoff) or UPS for items too large for the post office.

 

For international orders, we use Canada Post International and only offer their tracked options. For larger parcels we ship via DHL Express. Please contact us for large parcels such as a frame or a bicycle.

 

If you're unaccustomed to ordering internationally from independent retailers, here's more info: you'll be responsible for any duty, tariffs, and local taxes. All that is usually billed to you by the carrier just before they drop it off to you. There can be processing delays when a package is crossing the border, both at export and at import. That's the government, and we're not responsible for those delays, nor do we guarantee delivery times. We won't open a missing package claim until thirty days after shipping.

 

We unfortunately cannot ship any orders to the U.K. due to post-brexit VAT collection requirements.

1.3 Why aren't I getting free shipping with my order?

We offer a promotion on orders over a certain value, before tax, where C&L pays for the Canada Post shipping of your order. This promo excludes oversized items, which include handlebars (they're quite long these days), wheels, non-folding tires, racks, etc. There's also a weight cutoff.

1.4 Do you repair bikes on the spot?

In some cases, like flats, we do the work right away. Otherwise, with a few exceptions, we will keep your bike and provide you with a free estimate of any repairs we believe are necessary for your bicycle to function properly. This will be done day-of and will be sent to you by email to which you will only have to respond.

 

Once we receive your response, repairs will be done when your quote reaches the top of the to-do list, in the order we've received responses. The deadlines may vary from season to season and the order is determined on a “first come, first served” basis.

1.5 Do you sell used bikes?

We only sell new bikes. At C&L Cycles, you will find a variety of bicycles including brands like All-City, Soma, Marinoni, Opus, Rivendell Bicycle Works, and our in-house designed brand Bassi.

 

Feel free to contact us for any custom builds or special inquiries! 

1.6 Will you paint my bike?

For home or semi-pro paint jobs, C&L Cycles are the Canadian distributor for Spray.Bike ærosol paints. These are an ideal solution for those restoring or simply repainting an old or new frame at home, and one can will do one coat on an entire frame. They are very easy to use, and we carry surface-prep and top-coat products as well.

 

We do not offer in-house paint services. However, we do work with a few painters who use traditional wet-coat or powder-coat products when the need arises.

 

Keep in mind that professional painting is always of the entire frame, requires stripping the cycle of all its components, then sending the frame to the painter for them to strip the paint, clean the frame, apply paint, and cure it. Delays are always long, more so during the busy season. In most cases, it is not possible to apply decals to match the originals.

 

Feel free to get in touch for a quote for your specific bicycle. Prices vary according to paint type, complexity, colours, and finish.

1.7 I received the wrong can of Spray.Bike paint

The label on the can may be confusing, sorry about that. The exact paint type is always printed on the underside of every single can, that's the place to check!

 

In order for us to be able to import these from Europe, the paint factory had to create a new label that follows Canadian ærosol labelling laws, which are different from European and American ones. The label has text that refers mostly to the coloured paints and therefore can be confusing when you're holding a can of finish or basecoat, or special effect paints.