Beginner Advice
10-01-14, 08:02 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Portsmouth Va
Posts: 123
Bikes: 2015 Fuji Feather, MSC fixed gear
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Beginner Advice
So I bought an inexpensive road bike. Part commute, part exercise, part I always enjoyed biking as a kid. Ive been enjoying it so far. But I am wondering what advice youd give a beginner in this hobby/sport? What advice would you have given yourself when you were just starting. A book of tips/tricks, ideas here on bike forums
Last edited by Mark Stone; 10-02-14 at 08:47 AM. Reason: Corrected spelling in title
10-01-14, 08:04 PM
#2
Allez means go.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Two Rivers, WI
Posts: 892
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ride your bike and ignore most of what read here. Get a nice pair of bike shorts. You wear them without underwear. That's it.
10-01-14, 08:06 PM
#3
Senior Member
1. Don't buy a bike computer.
2. Ride more.
3. Repeat step 2.
4. Count how many days you ride in a row, not how many miles you ride per week.
2. Ride more.
3. Repeat step 2.
4. Count how many days you ride in a row, not how many miles you ride per week.
10-01-14, 10:09 PM
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just remember that feeling you had when you were a kid. The freedom a bike brought you. I still feel like I'm 12 years old on my Mongoose BMX bike every time I ride.
10-02-14, 05:00 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,473
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1743 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
740 Posts
It all depends on what riding a bike means to you. Bear in mind that may change as you ride more. As some have said, go ride just for the pleasure. Even if you have no desire to go faster or longer I think you will find that proper technique will enhance your efficiency and your experience. To that end, if you decide to get into a winter trainer, try rollers. Nothing improves your pedaling like rollers. Good health and lots of fun is ultimately what it's about.
10-02-14, 09:30 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 174
Bikes: Bianchi Axis, De Rosa Merak
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All good advice so far, sounds like you want something a bit more dimensional. I think most of us are saying just ride because that's the most optimal result the bike can give you. If you worry about a ton of other things related to cycling, you won't ever spend time on your bike.
My advice: Ride a lot but remember to take a break every now and then. Your body will thank you. Slowly learn the components of your bike, what their function is and how to maintain them in working order. If you can afford tools and like to wrench, that's the next avenue you might take. Some just like to take it to their LBS if it's not for you. Also look at your bike fit geometry. Efficiencies can be gained by adjusting an existing component, not replacing it with something new.
Once you get that done, come back to us and start asking all the other bizarre questions related to cycling!
My advice: Ride a lot but remember to take a break every now and then. Your body will thank you. Slowly learn the components of your bike, what their function is and how to maintain them in working order. If you can afford tools and like to wrench, that's the next avenue you might take. Some just like to take it to their LBS if it's not for you. Also look at your bike fit geometry. Efficiencies can be gained by adjusting an existing component, not replacing it with something new.
Once you get that done, come back to us and start asking all the other bizarre questions related to cycling!
10-02-14, 10:51 AM
#17
CAT4
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 1,681
Bikes: 2009 Cervélo S1, 2009 Felt F75, 2010 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5, 2011 Cannondale CAADx, 2011 Specialized Transition Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It really depends on how far you want to get into cycling or if you decide to race.
You will learn much, much more if you join a local bike shop ride. Some are slow paced and some can feel like a full blown race at times. Spend money on good kit. There is a reason why clubs/teams usually buy the good stuff. It is really worth the extra $. Get these books if you want to race:
https://www.amazon.com/Roadie-Misunde.../dp/1934030171
Racing Tactics for Cyclists by Thomas Prehn | 9781931382304 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble
The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel | 9781934030202 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble
Don't get caught up in Dura Ace, Ultegra, Red etc. They will not make you any faster. Ride, ride, and ride some more. The difference between dura ace and 2300 isn't going to decide whether you get dropped on that hill or cannot hold that wheel in front of you. Your biggest and noticeable gains will be made from your body and mind. Part of cycling is training your brain that you can endure more than you think.
You will learn much, much more if you join a local bike shop ride. Some are slow paced and some can feel like a full blown race at times. Spend money on good kit. There is a reason why clubs/teams usually buy the good stuff. It is really worth the extra $. Get these books if you want to race:
https://www.amazon.com/Roadie-Misunde.../dp/1934030171
Racing Tactics for Cyclists by Thomas Prehn | 9781931382304 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble
The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel | 9781934030202 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble
Don't get caught up in Dura Ace, Ultegra, Red etc. They will not make you any faster. Ride, ride, and ride some more. The difference between dura ace and 2300 isn't going to decide whether you get dropped on that hill or cannot hold that wheel in front of you. Your biggest and noticeable gains will be made from your body and mind. Part of cycling is training your brain that you can endure more than you think.
10-02-14, 10:56 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
So I bought an inexpensive road bike. Part commute, part exercise, part I always enjoyed biking as a kid. Ive been enjoying it so far. But I am wondering what advice youd give a beginner in this hobby/sport? What advice would you have given yourself when you were just starting. A book of tips/tricks, ideas here on bike forums
b. Always bring your cell phone just in case. You can turn it off if you want, but always have it with you.
10-02-14, 10:59 AM
#19
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Keep your rides FUN.
Asked questions when you have a problem.
Asked questions when you have a problem.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
10-02-14, 01:53 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,530 Times
in
7,326 Posts
Don't be a Fred.
10-02-14, 02:50 PM
#21
I'm doing it wrong.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,875
Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Frank Jones Sr., Trek Fuel EX9, Kona Jake the Snake CR, Niner Sir9
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9742 Post(s)
Liked 2,812 Times
in
1,664 Posts
Be a fred....don't be a poseur.
Get your bike fit well to avoid injury.
Get your bike fit well to avoid injury.
10-02-14, 03:33 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Floss.
10-02-14, 09:06 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern NY...Brownville
Posts: 2,571
Bikes: Specialized Aethos, Specialized Diverge Comp E5
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 241 Post(s)
Liked 454 Times
in
265 Posts
Take out a second mortgage and buy a super fast TT bike. Become the fastest rider on your MUP. Learn how to give the "stare" to riders as they wave at you.
Reality...have fun and don't over think it...it is bike riding not rocket science.
Reality...have fun and don't over think it...it is bike riding not rocket science.
10-02-14, 11:01 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Wave...or not...doesn't matter.