Just got back from a nice ride. I always feel energized after a couple hours on the bike. Now I have a question for you guys:

What basic maintenance do I need to do for my road bike? And how often? I've just had my bike for a month or so now and am starting to wonder when and how to clean the chain/parts/etc.

Any good books on this subject?
:D

see threads in mechanics and general discussion
Ride Happy
pat

Hi aswoo,
First of all unless you race get Mtb pedals. The nice thing about them is you can use a shoe you can actually walk in . You can get a good shoe for around 60 bucks. The mtb pedals are 2 sided you have a nice quick mount. The Sella saddles are great but as stated by another you have to use them several times a week to break in your butt. Speaking of butts your shorts should be plenty good but you may want to consider using Butt -R. Its a great cream to put on your shorts liner and I even put a bit on any spot on my butt that has a tendency to rub a bit. It costs 10 bucks for a rather large tube that lasts a long time. I never ride without treating my chamois with it.
Another important thing in learning to beat the crap out of other riders is to learn to Spin. Almost all roadies watch the pro's and try to imitate them so they spend all their time in the 53 tooth chain ring. Of course they forget to realize the pro is spinning the large chainring in a high gear. The avg roadie cannot spin a high gear so they plod along at 50 to 70 rpm etc. Work in the small chainring to get a nice spin of at least 80...90 to 100 is best but takes awhile. I know I will get jumped for this statement but unless you are really strong or doing alot of high speed decents consider getting a smaller large chainring. I use a 48 as my big chainring and its great. Lets me keep up a nice 80rpm or more while getting a nice speed.Got carried away here but what I am saying is learn to spin. Hey even Lances coach firgured that one out. *S*
Ride safe and spin spin spin ....Dudley

What is the roll of electrical tape for?
And as for chain cleaning supplies, how often do I need to clean the chain?
I recently bought the frame pump and the guy at the LBS suggested that we hook it up to the seat tube as opposed to the down tube -- in order for easy access while riding in case I need to start swinging at chasing dogs. Anybody have this problem?
I'm also looking to get a trainer. Any recommendations?

you need to clean your chain at least monthly. electical tape is as useful as duct tape, but fits in smaller ares.

More than you can imagine. As Alex points out, it's almost as handy as duct tape, and it fits into a wedge pack. I've used it for first aid, to re-attach things like broken cyclocomputer mounts and sensors, to protect a tube valve from the sharp edges of a valve hole when rim tape was improperly applied. I've used it to tape the inside of a tire to close up a small cut, and to do a field repair of a shredded sidewall. When you're on a century, 80 km from a bike shop, it can mean the difference between a limping ride and a looooong walk.

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And as for chain cleaning supplies, how often do I need to clean the chain?

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I do a complete cleaning of my road bike's chain, cassette and chain rings about once a week. Of course, I ride about 400 km/week. I'll also do aomewhat more superficial cleanings halfway through that cycle -- more if i've picked up dust and grit.

If you get caught in the rain, do a complete clean before you ride again. Rain gets grit into the chain like nobody's business. If you don't clean that, you can really damage the chain, and a Campy 10-speed cain is pretty pricey.

You can't break a 10-speed chain to clean it, so I use one of those cleaning machines. It does the job pretty well. I also get at the cogs and chainrings with a cog brush and a toothbrush and some citrus degreaser, and I throughly clean the derailleur pulley wheels with a toothbrush and dishwashing liquid.

Do this every 400-500 km and you'll be a happy camper.

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I recently bought the frame pump and the guy at the LBS suggested that we hook it up to the seat tube as opposed to the down tube -- in order for easy access while riding in case I need to start swinging at chasing dogs. Anybody have this problem?

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Nope. My frame pump is a small one [one of those mini-pumps]. It's mounted on the seat-tube togetjer with the bottle cage. It's rather too small be be much use as a weapon.

Great Suggestions! I recently rejoined the ranks of the roadies this June after a long absence. Two things I found that helped:

1) Perseverance - some days just suck, but i know that if i go out and do it again it will not be as bad tomorrow.

2) Cadence - keep it fast, monitor it, make it your life - when my cadence is up the ride is great, as soon as it drops I suffer, and I do whatever it takes to keep it up above 75.

You also mentioned that you were looking for ride clubs. You should try http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/Cycling/ there is a really good list, by state, of all the bike organizations - I sure Providence has some.

So, have you done the East Bay path yet?

Hey kosinmass, thanks for the suggestions.

Just got back from a ride on the East Bay Bike Path. It is a nice path and the first place I began riding. I've also heard a lot of good things about the Scituate Reservoir. I'll take a look and probably try it in a few weeks.

I agree about the cadence. I try to keep my rate around 90.

Last of all, I appreciate the yahoo search. You may be surprised to find there is no listing for Rhode Island. Nevertheless, I have a few leads to clubs. I'll have to make it to their rides one of these days.

Aswoo -

try http://www.nbwclub.org/ that's the site for the Naragansett (spelled correctly) wheelmen.

good luck - keep pedalin

Thanks --
That's exactly who I've been looking into. One of these days, I'll go on a ride with them.

I'm relatively new to road biking myself, but come from an extensive running background. A few pointers on nutrition. The key ingredient is water! Drink more, you aren't drinking enough (I promise). I drink at least 100oz a day. As for meals, make sure you are getting a balanced meal. I shoot for a 2:1 carb to protein ratio that works well for me.

why not a good pair of time pedals?

cabledonut.

I'm really liking speedplay pedals, highly recommend them!

Just a slightly different perspective from another biker. I have been riding for nearly four years, and didn't get serious until I was 58 1/2 yo.

Anyway.

1. I use less expensive (cheap??) padded shorts quite well with absolutely no problems!! I get mine on sale at Nashbar, and have never had any kind of problem.

2. And (and most of the folks out there will shudder at this) I DO wear jockey shorts under my biking shorts. I feel it keeps the biking shorts cleaner, I can change them easier, and it just feels more comfortable to me. In 12,000 miles of biking I have NEVER had any kind of saddle sore or butt problem. I never use balm of any kind, and the only thing I have ever needed was just a little vaseline for some leg chafing. But that is very rare and far between. (There is a whole secret fraternity of folks like me who wear Jockeys under their bike shorts but never admit it publicly. We even have our own secret email list).

3. DO get rid of those pedals ASAP. You could have a really bad fall if you can't get out of them quickly when you need to. And, mtn bike shoes are great for both a mtn bike and a road bike. REALLY - GET RID OF THOSE THINGS TODAY!!

4. Get a floor pump with a gauge. Feeling if the tire is hard is not satisfactory. It will feel hard from about 60-70 pounds, which is way too low for a road tire.

Enjoy the world of biking. That grumpy guy you mentioned was probably trying unsuccessfully to lose you and was upset (with himself) because you were continuously behind him and he couldn't pull away (been there, done that) - but I wasn't grumpy to the other rider, just mad at myself!!

Don't kid yourself. We know who you are. We can see your panty-lines.

Honestly, anyone who would NOT go in public wearing skin-tight shorts without underwear and who would somehow decline to slather his butt with slimey balm must be asome kind of preeevert!

Ummm... on second thought, let me think about that...

Yeah, and sometimes I bike in a T-shirt and Levis.

The local roadies totally ignore me when I do that. A couple of weeks ago I was tooling along on my mtn bike (panniers, battery, lights, huge wedge, sort of beat-up looking) and came across a group of "real" roadies - all dolled up in their matching club jerseys, lite-speeds, $150.00 helmets and the works. I had on a sweat shirt and Levis with a rubber band around my leg so the pants would not get caught in the chain. They were obviously lost, and were having a big, big discussion about where to go on the trail intersection.

I stopped and offered to give them directions. WOW - talk about derisive, snobbish, put down looks!! I was OBVIOULY not one of "THEM".

So, I moseyed along the trail as they continued their one-upmanship of each other. Takes all kinds.

Hey, I just checked and found that this post was originally started in August. The original poster is either an accomplished biker by now or is dead from those awful pedals. So much for any new advice!!

i've had the cheap padded bike shorts for over a year with no problems, i do prefer to wear an athletic supporter underneath them, keeps the boys up front.

I wore those mid-length briefs or boxer briefs, or whatever you want to call them, under my shorts for the first few months I was wearing padded shorts for the same reason. I don't remember why I finally decided to try going commando. It felt a little strange at first, but after a couple of weeks if felt normal. FYI, not wearing undies does not seem to get the shorts dirtier. I wear the same pair 2-3 days, hanging them to thoroughly dry. Believe me, if I were seeing signs of, uh, soil, I would have the undies back on real quick.
FWIW,
Raymond

Ummm... Raymond, you really should wash your shorts after every ride. It's not the soiling that you can see that'll get you, but the bacteria that you can't see.

I ride so much that WEARING underwear tends to feel a little strange to me. The only thing that comes between me and my chamois is some kind of lube.

I'm not sure that I would call myself much of an accomplished rider yet. I've appreciated all the advice from all of you guys, especially the regulars like velocipedio.

Still a weekend warrior, biking around 30-60 miles a weekend, when I get the time. Over the months, I did get rid of the underwear and am now considering getting a more expensive pair of bike shorts (my bony butt still hurts after a couple hours!). I have a Sella Italia Flight Gel -- supposedly a great seat but not doing the trick for me. Any recommendations for a skinny kid with lots of buttock pain -- which seems to be detracting from the enjoyment of my ride?

To get you up to date, I eventually had to fork over the money and get bibs and a jacket due to the cold here in Rhode Island. Also, as a treat to myself, got a pair of Oakley polarized sunglasses -- they're awesome, but I'll be paying for those for a while.

What do you guys ride in the winter, by the way? Do you stick to your road bike in the rain and snow or switch over to a road bike or give up altogether and bike indoors or jog?

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a bike trainer but don't know whether I should or not and which brand to purchase. i.e. magnetic/wind/fluid or aluminum rollers.

And last of all, energy bars. Any good? Should I be eating in addition to hydrating myself during every ride? I seem to flag in strength after 2-3 hours...

I'm currently a resident physician (i.e. slave) working 100-120 hrs a week in the hospital -- so I dream of the day when I can actually dedicate a little more time to biking. (Obviously not anytime soon).

Last of all, thanks once again for the posts and keep them coming. I think that the number of views along this thread speaks to the fact that there are a ton more newbies like myself who continue to benefit from the wisdom of the posts here.

No sweat, Aswoo. We can always use another body in the peloton. :)

I personally hate gel saddles. I prefer something relatively firm, with a thin layer of high-density foam padding. I'd recommend the Selle Italia Flite Trans Am. I have one on my road bike and another on my MTB. Most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden.

HAving said that, my butt is different than yours, and what might work for me might not work for you. Two things to consider: (1) it may not be the saddle, but the angle and height of the saddle that's bothering you. Try changing the angle or height very slightly and see if that's better. (2) Saddles can be had cheaply at this time of year; though you can't try before you buy, you might be able to go through a couple inexpensively to find ther one you like.

If they didn't salt the roads around here, I'd probably ride until the daytime temps got down to -10C. As it is, we just had some snow, and the roads are salted, and I don't want to destroy my bike. We might get some rain, followed by clear days and high-ish temps this week. That might clear the streets enough for a last few rides... And I'm just THIS close to 9000 km for the year!

I'll be jogging and cross country skiing thoughout the winter, and I plan to get a 3-month membership at the local health club to use their trainers and weights and build my quads some so that, when cycling resumes in the spring I can outsprint my cycling buddies and crush them like the insects they are!:D

I do have a trainer that I plan to set up for an occasional pedalling fix, but, to be honest, I REALLY hate trainers... as much as I hate gyms.

Go for mag or fluid. Wind trainers are not all that much less expensive and they're incredibly noisy.

As a physician, you should know about how important it is to hydrate and eat on a ride. A good rule of thumb is to eat before you get hugry and drink before you get thirsty. In practical terms, what you need on a ride of any intensity is carbohydrates. Try to get 20g-30g of carbohydrates per hour.

Energy bars ar one way to do this, and some taste pretty good... but they can be pricey. A Balance bar has about 22g of carb, Clif and Powerbars about 35g-40g. Fig Newtons cotain 11g each, and they're easy to pop into you mounth from an open baggie in a back pocket -- and they're relatively cheap and taste great. You can also water down some Gatorade in a water bottle. I do this on long rides [like centuries] to keep a fairly constant intake of carb [it's like an oral glucose drip].

But you really SHOULD eat something every 60-90 minutes.

Welcome to the peloton.

I also want to get new pedals... I've been riding on old fashioned ones. I was looking at the looks website that y'all mentioned above and they advertise "the clipless pedal." Dumb question - does this mean your shoe doesn't clip/attach to the pedal?

Also, the guys at my local bike shop said that they could set me up with shoes and pedals for about $125. Is that reasonable? Are there anything I should look out for? I want to get something good but I don't want to spend more than necessary.

(I want to bump my road mileage up to 100+ mi/week)

Thanks!

On the contrary. Clipless pedals attach your feet to the pedlas without using traditional toe-clips and straps. You have a cleat on the sole of your shoe that clips into a binding mechaism on the pedal [not unlike a ski binding, in fact]. The advantages are that (1) "clipless" pedals attach your feet to the pedals much more comfortably and efficiently than traditional clips and straps (2) by binding your feet to the pedals, they make pedalling much more efficient than basic platform pedals, (3) they are MUCH easier to get out of than traditional clips and straps and therefore safer.

I personally think the term clipless pedals is a stupid misnomer, since you do actually "clip" into them. I've seen people refer to them as click-in pedals... maybe that's better.

Depends on the pedals and on the shoes. A typical set of entry-level SPD-style pedal costs about $50, and you can get adecent pair of touring/MTB shoes for about $75, so $125 sounds reasonable.

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(I want to bump my road mileage up to 100+ mi/week)

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Go for it! That's a good and realistic goal. It means 20 mi/day, five days a week... and that's good cycling.

Thank you - It all makes sense now! And thank you for the pricing information (and encouragement)!