newbie questions

Argie

Have just become the proud owner of a road bike (last time I owned a bike was over 20 years ago) and wanted to ask some questions…

How long will it be before I feel safe on the thing?… (ie balanced and able to co-ordinate braking, gear changes and road positioning all at the same time)

What is the best position to place hands - down on the lower section of the bars, just above STI levers, near the stem or behind head? I find that after a matter of time I get numb hands, which is not good when I want to find the brakes, gears etc (I do wear fingerless gel padded gloves)

Is adjusting the rear and front mech something I can do (just to relieve some gear clatter on a couple of cogs) or is it a bike shop job?

Since when did we start accepting that roads needn’t be maintained all the way to the edge. There seems to be large imperfections (pot holes, etc) every few yards!

Saddle sore… is this cured by wearing your arse into the saddle, buying a better saddle or by wearing gel padded shorts?

Why is it that youths in shitty cars seem to spend so much time hanging out of passenger windows shouting what I imagine are nasty things at me? Despite the fact I don’t impede them going about their chav related business.

Punctures… should I carry a spare inner tube or should I expect to reasonably be able to repair a tube at the roadside? Also is it worthwhile getting slime filled tubes?

Many thanks for any answers!

Argie

Infamous

How long will it be before I feel safe on the thing?
Just ride more, you will get it.

What is the best position to place hands
Move them around a lot, most riding should be on the STI levers or on the tops.

Is adjusting the rear and front mech something I can do
It's good to learn a skill.

Since when did we start accepting that roads neednt be maintained all the way to the edge.
Just ride more, you'll get used to it.

Saddle sores¦ is this cured by wearing your ars* into the saddle, buying a better saddle or by wearing gel padded shorts?
Just ride more, your arsé will get used to it.

Why is it that youths in shitty cars seem to spend so much time hanging out of passenger windows shouting what I imagine are nasty things at me?
Punch them in the face.

Punctures should I carry a spare inner tube or should I expect to reasonably be able to repair a tube at the roadside?
Easier to change a tube at the side of the road than fix a puncture. I never fix tubes anyway, personal preference.

Also is it worthwhile getting slime filled tubes?
No, they don't work on road bike tyre pressures... I've tried them.

andrewjoseph

Wot they said above,

plus on the shorts issue, no knickers with padded shorts. you can buy lots of creams and lotions to help lubricate and protect the interface. But I use sudocream on a long ride (just slather on a load around the crotch) and rubbing alchohol to toughen up the crotch (dab it only carefully and gently).

sheffsimon

andrewjoseph wrote:

Wot they said above,

plus on the shorts issue, no knickers with padded shorts. you can buy lots of creams and lotions to help lubricate and protect the interface. But I use sudocream on a long ride (just slather on a load around the crotch) and rubbing alchohol to toughen up the crotch (dab it only carefully and gently).

'kin 'ell. :shock:

Stellite

+1 :shock:

Maybe a Dremmel to the arse would be better, it will grow back twice as tough

andrewjoseph

SheffSimon wrote:

andrewjoseph wrote:

Wot they said above,

plus on the shorts issue, no knickers with padded shorts. you can buy lots of creams and lotions to help lubricate and protect the interface. But I use sudocream on a long ride (just slather on a load around the crotch) and rubbing alchohol to toughen up the crotch (dab it only carefully and gently).

'kin 'ell. :shock:

that's pretty much what I say when applying the stuff, especially if the skin is broken. But it does help.

skyd0g

andrewjoseph wrote:

SheffSimon wrote:

andrewjoseph wrote:

Wot they said above,

plus on the shorts issue, no knickers with padded shorts. you can buy lots of creams and lotions to help lubricate and protect the interface. But I use sudocream on a long ride (just slather on a load around the crotch) and rubbing alchohol to toughen up the crotch (dab it only carefully and gently).

'kin 'ell. :shock:

that's pretty much what I say when applying the stuff, especially if the skin is broken. But it does help.

It's a novel way to serve a cocktail. I'm sure it's an ice-breaker at parties though. :shock:

bobtbuilder

What is the best position to place hands - down on the lower section of the bars, just above STI levers, near the stem or behind head? I find that after a matter of time I get numb hands, which is not good when I want to find the brakes, gears etc (I do wear fingerless gel padded gloves)

Might be worth asking your LBS to look at your position on the bike. Your current set up could be placing too much of your weight through your arms / hands.

Kneesaway

Argie

Have a look here http://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htm about where to place your hands.

As for adjusting the gears, unless you have got a turbo trainer, turn the bike upside down, spins the pedals round and tweak the adjustments until they are quiet. If you are operating at extremes i.e. big front, big rear and vice versa, don't, they will never be quiet.

Best of luck.