Beginners Guide to Cycle Commuting

dotdash79

I'm just using running shoes to peddle at the moment, I've done 30 miles in a day on them and have a little pain on the outside of knee, but that was pushing on some big hills.

This route won't be as harsh (or at least I hope)

Marco_Panettone

Foot/knee pain won't be caused by the type of pedal - it's to do with the overall set up of the bike. Saddle height and fore/aft position will change the angles in the hip, knee and ankle. Cleat position and the amount of float will also have an effect.

Kido

I'm thinking about getting back on a bike after a break of about 15 years. Reading through this thread I found it most helpful, especially the bit about councils doing training. I'm going to try and book in for one to give me some confidence.

Unfortuantely I no longer have a bike, I sold mine when I started driving as I wasn't using it and it was just taking up space. It was an old "racer" type bike with dropped handle bars. I doubt I'll be using it for commuting purposes (I have a motorbike for that) but I want to use it for recreational purposes as I've a couple of friends that ride and I thought it might be fun to join them. I'm thinking I'll be doing a mixture of road and off road trails round the local reservoir etc.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of what bike (or type of bike) to think about to get started on again? I'm a female about 5'4". I'm thinking of a 2nd hand one to get me going and then if I like it invest in a new one over the summer. I live in the Bolton area so I'm lucky to have a couple of bike shops in the area. Would these independant retailers be likely to have 2nd hand bikes or would they just have new ones?

Sorry I know this isn't about commuting but I thought someone might be able to give me some advice or point me in the right direction. Right now I don't know where to start.

Marco_Panettone

Kido wrote: »

I'm thinking about getting back on a bike after a break of about 15 years. Reading through this thread I found it most helpful, especially the bit about councils doing training. I'm going to try and book in for one to give me some confidence.

Unfortuantely I no longer have a bike, I sold mine when I started driving as I wasn't using it and it was just taking up space. It was an old "racer" type bike with dropped handle bars. I doubt I'll be using it for commuting purposes (I have a motorbike for that) but I want to use it for recreational purposes as I've a couple of friends that ride and I thought it might be fun to join them. I'm thinking I'll be doing a mixture of road and off road trails round the local reservoir etc.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of what bike (or type of bike) to think about to get started on again? I'm a female about 5'4". I'm thinking of a 2nd hand one to get me going and then if I like it invest in a new one over the summer. I live in the Bolton area so I'm lucky to have a couple of bike shops in the area. Would these independant retailers be likely to have 2nd hand bikes or would they just have new ones?

Sorry I know this isn't about commuting but I thought someone might be able to give me some advice or point me in the right direction. Right now I don't know where to start.

What type of bike do your friends use on the rides you'd like to join them on? Something similar will probably do the job, and is likely to be suitable for the same type of terrain.


2nd hand will be fine, but it might be worth putting it into a decent bike shop for a check-up if it comes from a private seller (eBay can be great). Personally I'd aim at a utility/town bike if you're looking for a 'jack of all trades' pottering-about sort of bike. With a decent rack it opens the door to shopping trips too.


If you're looking for something more sporty (depending on the riding your friends do) then aim for a more sports-specific bike - a 'hybrid' generally gives you the worst of both worlds without the benefits you really want so is unsuited for fast road riding or anything off-road other than towpaths (this might be fine for your needs though).


Enjoy!

Johnmcl7

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Foot/knee pain won't be caused by the type of pedal - it's to do with the overall set up of the bike. Saddle height and fore/aft position will change the angles in the hip, knee and ankle. Cleat position and the amount of float will also have an effect.

I had no foot or knee pain with the bike on its previous standard pedals despite regularly finishing longer cycles at higher speeds than the ones I've done with the clipless pedals so it's clearly the pedals that are the cause. I've gone through the full range of cleat positions and while they're better at the back, I still can't manage longer cycles without the knee hurting nor sprinting. I did ask here to find if another clipless system with more float would be more comfortable but there didn't appear to be anything worth considering. Some people prefer the feeling of being attached to the bike but the lack of being able to adjust my foot position mid-cycle is a problem for me.

John

Johnmcl7

Kido - It's possibly worth looking into local bike hire if you're not sure about what bike to go for and to get a good feel for a bike. I think one of the most important aspects of choosing a bike is to find one you like riding and will want to ride it, too many people seem to get pushed towards a bike they end up not riding as they don't like it.

When looking at a new bike at various times I've spent a long time reading advice then after a decent test ride or hire I've made my mind up pretty much straight away.

I'd also recommend starting off with smaller, regular cycles - I felt a bit frustrated initially when I first got a bike as it felt harder work than I thought it should be but then I was surprised the effect of daily short cycles as they eased my muscles in and found it much easier when it came to longer cycles.

John

Nebulous2

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I had no foot or knee pain with the bike on its previous standard pedals despite regularly finishing longer cycles at higher speeds than the ones I've done with the clipless pedals so it's clearly the pedals that are the cause. I've gone through the full range of cleat positions and while they're better at the back, I still can't manage longer cycles without the knee hurting nor sprinting. I did ask here to find if another clipless system with more float would be more comfortable but there didn't appear to be anything worth considering. Some people prefer the feeling of being attached to the bike but the lack of being able to adjust my foot position mid-cycle is a problem for me.

John

I don't know what you mean by range of positions but here's a guide to setting up clipless pedals.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/beginner-technique-dont-be-scared-of-clipless-pedals-28408/

You shouldn't really be moving them forward and back, the pedal axle should be under the ball of the foot and the trick is to have your feet at a natural angle which doesn't put pressure on the knee.

armyknife

I guess it's a case of horses for courses, some people won't get on or like the feel of clipless.

Johnmcl7

Nebulous2 wrote: »

I don't know what you mean by range of positions but here's a guide to setting up clipless pedals.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/beginner-technique-dont-be-scared-of-clipless-pedals-28408/

You shouldn't really be moving them forward and back, the pedal axle should be under the ball of the foot and the trick is to have your feet at a natural angle which doesn't put pressure on the knee.

The cleats are recessed SPD's, the shoes have two columns that the cleats can slide back and forth on to adjust the position. So for each ride I was moving the cleat position slightly so that bit by bit I could find the ideal position as I was recommended to do when I changed over to them.

I think the problem is that I can't adjust them on the fly, I've been watching where I position my foot on the pedal when on flats and I frequently adjust my positioning to whatever is comfortable.

John

loobs40

Bounce. Great thread