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New to Bikes Help! (Read 19835 times)

Grubes

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New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 11:43:16 am
I have just agreed to do a long bike ride with an old school mate for charity in April riding from North london to huddersfield over 3 days (250miles)

Issues:
I don't own a bike but should be getting a decent ish roadie through a mate early next week.
I have not ridden a bike since 1999 when I was 12
I have not ridden a bike on a road before other than outside my house or about a mile circle on the road round my house
I have never ridden a road bike

Here is the list of things I think I need to buy other than a bike.
Helmet
Lights
high viz
Those shorts/touser that look like you shit your self or trying to hide something.
Anything else?

training I plan on doing 10m ish three times a week to get going then build up the milage.

Any advice

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#1 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:11:16 pm
Read this thread...
http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,23224.0.html

Then check out Decathlon, CRC, Wiggle etc then get out on your bike...as much as possible and soon.

You'll be surprised the distance you cover on a road bike. If you have time I'd aim for longer rides ASAP, just do them steadily and build up your speed/fitness. Pick a longish route and time it and as the speed increases it will give you an incentive to train.

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#2 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:19:56 pm
Buy the most expensive chat in  your pants shorts you  can afford.

It's all about time on the bike when you first start road biking.. , not cycle computers, heart rate monitors or interval bursts, just time.... Riding at a pace that u can still talk.


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#3 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:25:30 pm
Get used to your saddle...

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#4 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 02:12:48 pm
cycle gloves. 
wet weather gear - april is still often cool, so breathable warm mountain gear might suffice, you may already have this.  helly hansen base layers work on the bike as well the in the hills.
tools and spare tube/pump and know how to use them 

you'll need water bottles and maybe a sadle bag with spares and food bars.  A small back pack might be just the job, then you keep your phone / wallet / keys with you as well as the other spares. ooh and a map of the route might help.

and yes, do a few 10 milers this week and next - it'll get you used to the bike and riding on the road with cars etc and then look to quickly up the mileage.  for high mileage rides you need stamina not speed, so long steady rides will be the best training.  get a map out and plan a few routes.  On the days you ride just remember that you can theoretically cycle for a long time, the days are longer and you dont have anything else to do those days but ride, as such you can cover good mileage.  you'll find its easy than you think to get those miles in, especially if you navigate well.

good padded shorts will be your best friend, wash them on a night time or you risk dirt and so sores.  3 days shouldnt be too bad for this and if you've trained beforehand then your bum should be used to it... it takes a few rides.  :D

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#5 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 03:23:45 pm
The bike needs to fit you - when road biking you're in the same position making the same movements for hours. It's like someone designed the perfect machine for creating RSI.

This is why you need to have the saddle height just right (too low or too high => bad knees/hips/ankles/back) and have the bars in the right place (too low or too high => bad knees/hips/ankles/back/shoulders), and why you need to build up gradually by doing short rides, then longer and longer - even a good position can feel strange at first, and it takes time to get used to riding. A few mm in saddle height can make a big difference over a few hours.

It's also why good shorts are essential for longer rides (unless you already have a perineum like Rhino Hide). Bib shorts are usually comfier than ones with a waistband. The pad needs to be in the right place - if it's shaped then the wide bits need to be under your sit bones when you are on your bike, on your saddle, in the riding position.

Bum cream helps (like the minty fresh Assos stuff). Don't double dip.

Saddles come in different shapes and widths - everyone's arse is different so others opinions on what is comfy are useless (although some seem to fit most people).

Grubes

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#6 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 03:42:12 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

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#7 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 04:03:54 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.

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#8 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 07:40:18 pm
Road bike wheels are all 700C. How tall are you? Ask what frame sizes they do eg. SML or 56/58 etc. Is it a known brand? If so you'll find a size guide online. As a guide I'm 5'11" and ride a 56cm Trek road bike.

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#9 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 08:27:23 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.


That specialised saddle thing is a load of bollocks. I did the gel test bought the right sort of saddle and its the most painful thing I've ever sat on. I try it once a year just check it wasn't a case of having a soft arse. I go for ride end up in agony and change back to another saddle.

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#10 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 08:39:50 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish

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#11 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:00:52 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.


That specialised saddle thing is a load of bollocks. I did the gel test bought the right sort of saddle and its the most painful thing I've ever sat on. I try it once a year just check it wasn't a case of having a soft arse. I go for ride end up in agony and change back to another saddle.
Not doubting you but i'm currently running a Specialized road saddle on my all mountain bike and its super comfy, done all day peaks and Wales days out on it and its great. I guess its a case of some saddles suit some and not others.

Same for me as rock boots, tried just about every pair of 5.10's in my time and they cripple me but Boreals (even with their pretty crap rubber) are spot on.

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#12 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:04:26 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish
I get that, but just taking a punt on the size based on average height doesn't always work. i'm 5ft 9 but ride a 16.5inch hard tail mountain bike so not quite average size for my height. Quite often it has as much to do with top tube length as frame size. If you really don't want to browse your LBS then at least throw your leg over as many bikes as you can of your friends and the like, at least then you'll get a better idea of what feels right and what doesn't.


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#13 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:43:19 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish

You're that tall? In which case it's been a rich of you to accuse me of lanking everything - I'm only 2" taller than you :)

Re wasting shop time, agree that it' s normally poor form but this is an arse-health emergency, I reckon it's forgivable! Perhaps someone could recommend a bike shop run by a tosser, or better still someone who's actually evil and deserves have their time wasted.  Perhaps try some googling along the lines of  "bike shop owner" AND "animal cruelty"!

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#14 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:47:49 pm
Grubes if you don't want to waste a shops time, a lot of them do bike fitting sessions at a cost, so you could pay them to find out what dimensions you need, then you'll be able to order the right stem, handlebars, etc. with your frame.

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#15 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:54:07 pm
Some good advice on that other thread, I should know!!

-The PlanetX winter bundle was very good value but the website has changed so the link Obi Wan posted no longer works.

-I also got a light bundle of there, there is a deal at the mo for a front and back set reduced from 60 to 20ish. (I think).

-I got this high vis jacket from Decathlon, very windproof and will keep a shower out, check in store for prices, sure they are only 20 sheets.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/neon-sport-5-jacket-id_8221258.html

-I myself haven't bothered with shorts but then will not be spending the same amount of time in the saddle.

-The fitness will come quickly, I was like you and hadn't touched a bike in 15 years, I've gone from struggling on the 10 mile round trip to work to now riding a 16 mile round trip to the wall and climbing for 3 hours in just over a month.

-I'd check the bike size, the correct Trek frame for me according to the sizing guide was too big for me and I had to drop a frame size.

Peace out.

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#16 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 10:13:48 pm
Try the bikes of diff sizes grubes, I'm 6"3' but often prefer smaller frames due to my riding style/position (which may not be the most efficient but feels the best).. Also different geometries make a real difference in how twitchy a frame can feel..

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#17 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 11:11:26 pm
If your Shef based I can think of at least four chain stores where you could sit on a range of bike's without annoying anyone. Some have models on rollers for this purpose. Even Planet X over near Magna. Whilst their showroom may appear very high end and rather elitist (to a beginner) are actually very helpful and will let you try different sized bikes on a roller, without being pushy. As Zod says you could pick up some bargains when over there.

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#18 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 11:30:58 pm
Can't see the winter bundle listed anymore, however the autumn bundle and road bike pack look good value

http://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=bundle

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#19 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 19, 2014, 12:56:03 am
Look very similar to the winter one minus the neck warmer and hat for under t'helmet.

The 'Be Safe. Be Seen' light bundle is also the one I went for and I am very happy with it.

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#20 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 20, 2014, 10:17:59 pm
Okay got my bike today. I spent the evening trying to work out how to ride it.
I fell over 3 times, the peddles felt awkward and the saddle hurt

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk


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#21 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 20, 2014, 10:43:10 pm
Okay got my bike today. I spent the evening trying to work out how to ride it.
I fell over 3 times, the peddles felt awkward and the saddle hurt

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Brill, good start! Welcome to the club. It will get easier! Keep riding!

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#22 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 21, 2014, 09:08:39 am
Quote
Brill, good start! Welcome to the club. It will get easier! Keep riding!

+1

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#23 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:02:19 pm
been on a few very short rides (10-20mins around quiet streets local to my house) to try and get some confidence.  Shit myself when ever I hear a car behind me and the down hill speed scares me too but that will pass the more I ride.

Main issue I am having is I struggle to get my second foot in the toe cage. I have been pedalling with my foot on the other side of the pedal to the cage but the cage then scrapes on the ground.
Is there much benefit to having a toe cage or would I be better getting a set of flat pedals just so I can get going properly?
I also had an issue with getting my foot out of the cage when I did manage to get both in which resulted in comedy fall moment and a sore hip.

Definately not ready for SPD etc

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#24 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:10:22 pm
Sounds like flat pedals until your confidence builds up is a good idea.

Cages do have some benefit, but mostly when strapped on super tight (which doesn't sound like a great idea for you...).

I'd say that clipless pedals were actually simpler to use than cages, especially if you go for the double sided SPD style pedals. They are easier to clip into as they don't require filpping, and the SPD pedals and shoes combo is a lot easier to pedal along with if you don't manage to clip in.

There are definite effeciency advantages to being clipped in, but best get some confidence first.

 

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