Cycling for Noobs

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fetcheveryone May 2020 12:27pm, 1 May 2020 23,934 posts	fetcheveryone Yep, we've got a pump. Katie got her bike in about 2011 I think, so we've had one since then. As for tyre pressure, I think they have a max of 120psi - and I normally get about 95-100psi in them before I get fed up of trying to get more in. Haven't experimented with pressure ratios though
Mandymoo May 2020 12:28pm, 1 May 2020 9,639 posts	Mandymoo Totally agree with the track pump - great bit of kit
fetcheveryone May 2020 1:04pm, 1 May 2020 23,939 posts	fetcheveryone Another question. Here's a pic of my pedals: It looks like those holes on the side would allow me to attach some cages. I'm thinking something like this: amazon.co.uk (obviously I went for unisex ones, in case a lady ever wanted to ride my bike. I mean FFS, that's one for the meaningless product descriptions thread) Would that work?
Dvorak May 2020 1:07pm, 1 May 2020 19,638 posts	Dvorak More about tyre pressures than you possibly want to think about road.cc interdependentscience.blogspot.com The main takeaway is that harder tyres do not always or even generally equal more efficiency* and even if so, going for comfort +10% outweighs rolling resistance - 2-3 % * In a race, on very good roads, is the place for hard tyres, even then, there's a drop off point.
um May 2020 1:58pm, 1 May 2020 2,276 posts	um Fetch - I'd go for some 'tough rugged manly' toe clips. Any lady users would have to tough it out. But I assume they would fit, but not 100% sure. Couldn't see, but didn't look closely, yo see if they came with fixing screws?
JustCommando! May 2020 1:58pm, 1 May 2020 3,760 posts	JustCommando! I've found that unless I run close to the recommended tyre pressures on a road bike I get ... punctures... Saddles etc - something approaching comfort can be achieved by a combination of : - Padded shorts - A saddle that is not too wide nor too soft nor too narrow nor too hard. One bike shop had a kinda gel pad you sat on to measure the distance between your sit bones and the saddle they recommended was significantly better than the one the bike came with. Quite tricky to replicate that in the lockdown world! - Chamois cream. For a really long ride planned, put a layer on the shorts the night before. - Bike fit. Again tricky at the mo but there is much to be found on the internet on the topic. This transformed my road bike comfort! Pedals etc - SPD-SL on the road bikes, double sided SPD / spiky flat on the mountain bike and hybrid. Prefer to be clipped in, but allows me to ride in trainers and GC to nick the hybrid. Clipping in takes a bit of practice and early anticipation of junctions / hazards, but I think it helps on the road keeping your foot in the right place and on the MTB stopping your foot falling off the pedal. Happy cycling!
LindsD May 2020 2:12pm, 1 May 2020 35,896 posts	LindsD I have toe clips and it took me a while to get used to them but I like them now. I would go up to cleats if I rode more but I don't.
Metro_Nome May 2020 4:09pm, 1 May 2020 5,357 posts	Metro_Nome Hello all. I’ve been holding off posting because I haven’t had a chance to read through the thread properly, but HP told me I had to post so here I am Very much a cycling noob and previously terrified of cycling, through necessity (a stress fracture that has stopped me running) I have overcome my fear and started doing a lot more cycling lately. Until now I have been on my trusted and stable but very heavy hybrid. Today my beautiful new almost-road bike arrived into my life. Much lighter and thinner tires, but nice flat handlebars which gives me so much more confidence. Now everyone is telling me I need SPDs but I’m no way near ready for that. No toe cages as I think they are even more dangerous, so good old flat (I think clipless is the term I read earlier?) pedals for me. Now I’m going to try to read more of the thread properly
um May 2020 4:21pm, 1 May 2020 2,278 posts	um Having seen Metro_Nomes post, I'd also recomment gloves, if you haven't already got them fetch. I've got fingerless slightly paddded cycling ones similar to above for good days and some fairly thick waterproof ones (not cycling specific) for colder days.
LindsD May 2020 5:04pm, 1 May 2020 35,909 posts	LindsD Nice bike! yes gloves. Never cycle without them.