Mike F

The pad is usually anti bacterial and designed to be next to the skin. A layer between the shorts and your parts could bunch and not dry quick enough leading to chafing and increase saddle sores. Some people do wear skivvy's with shorts but I prefer that my junk and taint not rub itself raw in a petri dish of bacterial pre frumunda

RPK79

That's a nice one!

BillyD

Um, that free gift offer we had going here expired. We're not giving away anything anymore.

YOJiMBO20

I'm guessing it's brand new. I just googled for a pic to use.

Seattle Forrest

One mile per post here.

YOJiMBO20

So pcad's never allowed to upgrade?

the sci guy 

indeed. dorkus. thanks for explaining!

longbeachgary

So I have 565 posts per year. Can I upgrade now?

longbeachgary

Junk:
1
: pieces of old cable or cordage used especially to make gaskets, mats, swabs, or oakum
2
a (1): old iron, glass, paper, or other waste that may be used again in some form (2): secondhand, worn, or discarded articles (3): clutter 1b
b: something of poor quality : trash
c: something of little meaning, worth, or significance



I don't think of my stuff as JUNK.

YOJiMBO20

Wrong definition of junk. Check urbandictionary if you're not sure.

longbeachgary

Sorry Dude but my computer won't take me to the Ghetto dictionary!!!

AdelaaR

Where do they even sell road bikes with reflectors and dork disks?
I have never seen either of those on bikes in shops around here.
Is that a typical American liability waiver thing?

FPSDavid

Required by law in CA, not sure about the rest of 'murica.

totalnewbie

I am so glad I finally had the courage to start this thread. I learned so much reading the posts.

Today, I did the following:

1. I wore proper bicycle socks that extend to the proper length up my calves.
2. I took a second look at my helmet before wearing it.
3. I learned how to change a flat. Fixing it, though, has to wait till i buy tire levers.
4. I changed my spell-a-word cable lock to one with numbers.
5. I rode clear of the door zone without salmoning.
6. I unclipped gracefully in front of a minivan full of kids... and a of group of riders.
7. I refused to leapfrog a garbage truck making its run.
8. I chose not to stare enviously at the bike that zoomed past me uphill.
9. And most important, I learned to enjoy my ride (seriously!)

Next: learn to drink while riding, but I think I probably need to learn how to ride hands off first.

My plan is to transform myself to look and behave like a pro in a week’s time. Those guys who honked me will finally show me some respect.

on the path

Yeah, just starting to get my head around this one..

pdedes

Thinking that what you are doing is in any way important

Spiduhman

WD == Water Displacement

Version 40 has its uses, as described.

However, imho

Hinges: if it's possible to drive the pins out, then recoat with Dow Chemical #41 grease and reassemble, else, a solvent diluted lube laced with Teflon penetrates as well, but performs better than WD.

Locks: a smidge of moli-kote powder (else the vastly inferior graphite powder) blown in via a tiny tube, else wiped in with a strip of paper towel lasts, and doesn't cause more ploblems; that said powder is dry, stays dry, and cannot collect grit nor varnish up with time is only part of the "argument."

STI mechanisms: The main shaft, barrel, carrier, pawls, etc. do carry a load and are subject to wear. I don't know what SRAM uses; the unit is quieter and smoother after a thorough cleaning and lube with aforementioned #41 grease. Grease stays put and forms an effective barrier. For those who can't/won't disassemble a brifter, cleaning with a spray degreaser, then lube with a shot of something that goes on thin, then solidifies would be my #2 recommendation.

beyond that, here's your "meh" back:

Meh

Homebrew01

WD-40 recently came out with bike specific products, so now I guess it's ok to use WD-40, as long as it's the "right" WD-40.

KypD

ooh man I'm always such a big dummy about this. I mostly cycle to commute, and I'm almost always in that "sprint after red lights to catch the next green" mode. Then i remember how I started off sore.

YOJiMBO20

I'm pretty sure most of these have been covered, but here's a good video with the top 10 rookie mistakes.

YOJiMBO20

Those are just as bad. Get a U-lock.

Also, you don't need to ride hands-free to drink. Learn to ride one handed, then you'll be able to drink while moving.

AdelaaR

Even better:
Never leave your bike out of sight.
An expensive race bike is not something I leave behind ... locked or not.
When I know I'll have to leave it behind ... I'll use my hybrid.

dalameda

This is a great list, making the mistakes in the first place are what help you to become a better cyclist, so maybe they could be thought as rites of passage instead of mistakes. Most have been covered here already, but the mistakes I made while learning to ride were:

1. starting off with a heavily padded seat
2. being afraid to wear cycling clothes - just get over it and buy padded shorts or bibs, and a jersey
3. Loading up on too much stuff for the ride. For a while I had a seat bag, a tube top bag, and was stuffing my jerseys. I'm now down to a seat bag, frame mounted pump, and a few bars or gels in my jersey - that is probably still too much stuff, but I am getting there.
4. Applying too much lube to the chain
5. Falling over while clipped
6. Waiting too long to join a cycling club

BigJeff

Whoa... hold the phone....


Sock length? when did this become an issue?

daihard 

Do you wash your cycle pants every time you wear them? I wash mine once every 3-4 times, but without wearing underwear, I feel like doing it every day.