THE sport's most famous exponent once declared "it's not about the bike" but for some cycling novices attending a Cairns information evening tonight, the bike will be the only thing that matters.

To cater for a growing band of cycling and triathlon enthusiasts, Cairns store Pump 'N' Pedals will hold a special session on basic bicycle maintenance.

Store assistant Liv Cole said the inaugural gathering was to familiarise beginners with the mechanics of the bike and what can potentially go wrong with it.

"We're seeing more people coming through the store who are entering triathlons and yet they don't know what to do when they get a flat tyre," she said.

"More and more people are now racing individually or in teams for the Coral Coast, Triple R series or Cairns Ironman events."

Anecdotally Pump 'N' Pedals staff believe it's the fairer sex who could benefit from a mechanical tutorial.

"Some women don't feel comfortable talking about repairs with the guys so this is a good forum for them," Cole said.

The statistics back up the story with female acceptances for the Cairns Ironman increasing 211 per cent since 2011, while female acceptances for the half-Ironman have increased 188 per cent.

Cole said the session would not be bogged down in technical jargon. The two-hour session begins at 6.30pm tonight. Pump 'N' Pedals is at 213 Sheridan St, Cairns. Phone 4051 6853.

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