Advice for novice cyclist

chucknorris

I would like to get more into cycling, I recently started cycling more due to picking up running injuries, and then I realised that cycling is a much better way of getting/keeping myself fit than running. I have a heavy(ish) bike but I will probably buy a road bike soon, at the moment I have a Giant Boulder Alu Lite it weighs about 13.5 kg, although I have slicker tyres on it now (26 x 1.500). But the one thing that has stopped me getting a road bike to date is that because my bike is probably quite inefficient, I tend to think that means I get a good work out quicker? By this I mean an hours ride kills me whereas if I had a much better bike it would take longer to get the equivalent work out, does that make sense or am I talking nonsense?

However as I am now think of commuting 15 miles (30 mile round trip) I will need to get a more efficient bike. Should I be looking at non platform pedals?From what I have read I’m guessing that they might increase my speed/efficiency by about an average of around 2 mph?

Cycrow

Being efficient just means you will be able to go quicker and further in that hour. But an hour ride, is an hour ride.

If you base you rides on distance, then a road bike would mean less time spent on the bike so it could mean less of a work out.

clipless pedals will help as they make sure your feet are always in the correct place on the pedals, and can also reduce injuries (as long as you dont mind falling off occasionally)

GwylimT

I cycle a lot and I have been cycling to work for years, I also do triathlons. Yes definitely get a road bike I use clipless pedals as they prevent me from having my feet in an incorrect position so I wont injure or strain my ankles, if you haven't used them before practice against a wall taking your feet on and off, otherwise you are likely to fall of your bike at traffic lights etc. I would avoid non-platform pedals as your feet can slip off them quite easily especially during wet weather and at speed that can throw your off your bike.

Does your helmet fit properly? Do you know how to fit a helmet properly? In my experience (including having a fight with a curb using my head) BMX helmets at the best.

Lights, turn your lights on in the dark and walk about 20m away, how visible are you?

Is your rucksack fully water proof? Often the zips aren't and you don't want soggy clothes.

Do you have anywhere locally that would allow you to properly trial a road bike? At the minute I have a giant defy 1 and it took a lot of trials to find a bike that suited me.

Kernel_Sanders

chucknorris wrote: »

I have a Giant Boulder Alu Lite it weighs about 13.5 kg, although I have slicker tyres on it now (26 x 1.500). But the one thing that has stopped me getting a road bike to date is that because my bike is probably quite inefficient....

Riding around with a giant boulder is always going to tire you out, but seriously, that doesn't seem like an inefficient bike to me, although you'd benefit from a lower riding position. I would do at least one of those 30 mile commutes on it, then you could better gauge the spec you need to upgrade to.

mcfisco

GwylimT wrote: »

.......... if you haven't used them before practice against a wall taking your feet on and off, otherwise you are likely to fall of your bike at traffic lights etc.

I'm sorry but this is not on, every cyclist new to clipless pedals MUST have at least one comedy off at traffic lights, it's a rite of passage, and a bit of entertainment for others

Cycrow

mcfisco wrote: »

I'm sorry but this is not on, every cyclist new to clipless pedals MUST have at least one comedy off at traffic lights, it's a rite of passage, and a bit of entertainment for others

althou to be fair, that usually happens at least once anyways, even after practicing :P

dawny10

Cycrow wrote: »

althou to be fair, that usually happens at least once anyways, even after practicing :P

Yes I still fall over on an occasional basis - I'm very good at bouncing straight up now! My favourite at the moment is unclipping one foot, stand on that foot then for some unknown reason lean the bike away from it whilst I'm waiting. Even more embarrasing!

Kernel_Sanders

I didn't know what clipless pedals meant until today! Not my fault, as they are a complete misnoma. From http://gizmodo.com/5990381/why-you-should-switch-to-clipless-pedals :
The shoes clip into the pedals, giving you a very solid connection to your bike. Yes, clip in. So, why the hell are they called clipless? Well, because before these existed, there were pedals with toe clips. Toe clips are the cages that go on a regular platform pedal that help keep your foot in place. They don't clip onto your pedals and they don't clip onto your foot, so it's really a dumb name for them, but because they already existed, these newer pedals which actually do clip in had to pick another name. For some reason, they chose "clipless."

I won't be trying them until somebody invents a pair that automatically disengage whenever a brake lever is pulled

GwylimT

Cycrow wrote: »

althou to be fair, that usually happens at least once anyways, even after practicing :P

Yep, normally while lots of motorists are hooting their horn and then you continue to be stuck because you panic!

custardy

Cycrow wrote: »

Being efficient just means you will be able to go quicker and further in that hour. But an hour ride, is an hour ride.

If you base you rides on distance, then a road bike would mean less time spent on the bike so it could mean less of a work out.

clipless pedals will help as they make sure your feet are always in the correct place on the pedals, and can also reduce injuries (as long as you dont mind falling off occasionally)

falling off? maybe at the very start
touch wood,the clipless havent caused me an off in over 20 years

mcfisco

I don't think I've even been off the mountain bike due to clipless panic, maybe once [and that wasn't a full fall] on a road bike on my first try.

I like them as I can forget about my feet - especially off road