Words of Wisdom

sonny73
sonny73 Posts: 2,203
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
A colleague of mine is considering getting themselves a road bike for the first time and has been asking me numerous questions about what to look out for when buying a bike and gear and also what to expect when first riding and anything they should keep in mind when out on the road.

Having read some very useful tips and information on these forums for a long time now I wondered if you had to impart one bit of advice to a newbie, that they should know prior to starting out on a road bike for the first time what would it be, however trivial?

I would say don’t waste your money on cheap clothing, if you can afford it of course, buy some decent bib shorts as the cheap ones will fall apart so quickly you’ll only wish you had.

Comments

  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    Get clipless pedals, and stick with them even after the inevitable tumble.
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    Point at him at your nearest LBS and advise him to look in there and talk to the staff to get an idea of what he wants and what will suit him. And get him to have a good idea of his starting budget but make him aware that whatever he sees will be 50% above that anyway.

    Best to buy the higher priced bike anyway - better to be short of cash for a couple of months than to own a bike that he doesn't like, didn't really want and is therefore not giving him the pleasure & joy that a good bike does.
  • PhilofCas
    PhilofCas Posts: 1,153
    buy a trackpump, invaluable bit of kit for a road bike

    buy a/some spare innertube(s) to take out with you when riding

    buy a pump that can be taken out with you when riding

    buy tyre levers to take out with you when riding

    depending upon his previous riding experience (if any?), first time riding a road bike can be a wobbly affair, he should be aware of this and advice is to simply take it very steady until he feels comfortable with it

    familiarise himself with the braking action and gears, maybe just up and down his street or drive somewhere quiet frst

    learn basic cycle highway rules first and be aware of car drivers inconsistency towards you

    sorry, that's several :oops:
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Talk to several LBS about what kind of riding you want to do, and see what they advise

    Set a realistic budget and stick to it

    Get properly fitted, and take a decent test ride on anything you're considering buying

    Decent shorts

    Clipless pedals / shoes


    Above all, don't get hung up on brands, materials or groupsets.
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    Sonny73 wrote:
    Having read some very useful tips and information on these forums for a long time now I wondered if you had to impart one bit of advice to a newbie, that they should know prior to starting out on a road bike for the first time what would it be, however trivial?.

    Life savers - Get used to looking over your right shoulder whilst riding at speed - very handy to be able to check out traffic behind before moving across for right-turns. In general, just get used to being able to look behind you (both sides) whilst riding (at speed).

    Also - get a Smart Superflash 1/2 watt Rear light - evereyone uses them in the Winter/dark late/early etc.
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    Learn how to go through the whole repair/changing process after the 'fairy' has visited.
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • fatgit
    fatgit Posts: 166
    get a speed lever, it makes removing your tyre a breeze http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    Practice on quiet roads, Industrial estates are great, especially at weekends but at this time of year they are empty after 5-40ish and still plenty of light. It worked for me and I still go there for a relaxed effort to try and improve my speed :oops:
    The older I get the faster I was
  • Dunkeldog
    Dunkeldog Posts: 138
    Double edged sword this one - buy a cycle computer so you can track your improvements but know when to leave it at home and enjoy the spin.