Commuting - New Biker/Commuter

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mattp105
08-31-09, 01:52 PM
Ok so I'm not really "new" to biking as I've been doing it all my life (it was how I got to and from school in high school..) and especially more since I started living in the city. But I just recently got my first road bike and I'm not use to competing with cars on the road. I have some general questions about commuting basically.

Is it better to try and stay all the way on the right side of the lane so cars can pass you?

What do you guys do about commuting in the rain? Will it make parts rust up?

Do you use clipless pedals? My bike came with pedals with toe clips, and I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy clipless pedals and shoes because it seems rather pricey...

mattp105
08-31-09, 02:05 PM
Sorry. Completely missed the sticky thread for newbies in this forum :) It answers my questions.
Brian T.
08-31-09, 02:11 PM
Congratulations and welcome!

You'll hear people talk about "taking the lane", which is advisable to an extent. You'll learn when to take it and when to get out of the way. If you ride on the right all the time, cars will crowd you. If there is a local bike shop, they might offer a commuting safety class and you can always do a search here to find a plethora of good info.

There are a ton a good sites out there to browse as well.

www.bikeleague.org

lil brown bat
08-31-09, 07:41 PM
Sorry. Completely missed the sticky thread for newbies in this forum :) It answers my questions.

Oh, we love you for that. Truly. You are a fine example to newbies. Newbies! Do it like mattp! Read the stickies!

(not that there's a problem with asking, really, but the stickies do tend to have it all in one place)
eshvanu
08-31-09, 08:20 PM
Welcome to commuting! As Brian says, there is a time to take the lane and a time to keep far right. Use the best judgement you can.

I've ridden in rain a few times over this Summer, and no rust problems on my bike. I do keep the bike cleaned and lubed, especially the chain and sprockets.
mattp105
09-01-09, 08:30 AM
For lube, do I just use something like WD-40? Or do I need to buy some machine oil and use that for the gears/chain?
labelcd6
09-01-09, 08:47 AM
buy chain oil

do not use wd40
Brian T.
09-01-09, 01:14 PM
Tri-Flow is pretty good stuff. If you can find Spray-a-way makes a degreaser called "C-60". It's great for cassettes, chainrings, RD's, FD's, anywhere you get gunk accumulated.
clarinetcola
09-02-09, 02:12 AM
noooo WD40 on bikes! brifters are alright though. Never use WD40 on bikes!!!!
cyclefreaksix
09-02-09, 02:19 AM
Welcome Matt! You'll figure it all out as you spend more time as a commuter.