Hello all, newbie advice

Dave69

Hi all
I am a newbie needing a bit of advice.
I have just bought my first bike in years, in order to get fit again and lose some of my middle aged spread.
I bought a B'twin sport1 (it got decent reviews and the general consensus was good starter bike for the money) and have started commuting, my current goal is to increase my milage and do the Manc-Blackpool next year, I know it's probably nowt to most of you guys on here, but to me it seems a little daunting just now.
I fitted some crud roadracer 2 mudguards, just in time too going off today's sodding weather.
It is all going quite well at the mo (can't wait for the traffic to double though when the kids go back to school), but I have a couple of questions.
Firstly as someone who is still getting used to being in the saddle and weaving through traffic are clipless pedals advisable, are they easy to get the hang of?
Second are bike computers water resistant?
I don't want to get one and find out it packs up in the rain (we get plenty where I live).
Any recommendations for a decent water resistant wireless comp, bout £30?

Sorry for rambling on a bit, cheers Dave

ilm_zero7

"snap in" type pedals saved my life - many years ago now, but I had changed a bike from toe clips to LOOK pedals the day before i was riding along only to find some Oik had stolen a grating cover hat emerged form under the car I was following.

because of the Looks the bike and parted company very quickly allowing me to scrabble to the side of the road before the bike lost the arguement with the following lorry

for that reason alone I will always have them, but on the road they give a real performance advantage

johnnyL

If you haven’t ridden a bike for a while it would be worth taking some time to get used to the handling and feel of the bike in traffic before going clipless.

If you use the bike primarily for commuting it may be worth considering mountain bike clipless pedals rather than road clipless pedals. I had a daily 40 mile commute through central London for years on a road bike and used Shimano SPD pedals and shoes, through rain, snow and ice. Yes, you do get used to them to the point where you don't actually consciously think about clipping in and out, you just do it. They give you a positive connection to the bike. Just make sure you find some quiet roads when you first try them. A good bike shop should give you some good advice and even set your bike up on a trainer so you can practice.
The main advantage of mountain bike clipless over road clipless in traffic are:-

-They are double sided, so you don't have to look down to check that the pedal is the right way up. Handy at traffic light stops.
-The shoes have a recessed cleat, so you can (sort of) walk on them. Handy if you need to stop off at the Tescos on the way home.

As far as cycle computers, I don’t think many are 100% waterproof, but most should be able to withstand a heavy downpour. My aging Cateye Astrale 8 has been used for hours in heavy rain and it just seems to get a little steamed up, but has always worked.

Dave69

Thanks for the replies!
I was considering the Shimano A530's.
Suitable for commuting and also for using for more competitive rides??

BlueScot

I have used A530's on a road bike and my commuter. For people counting every gram on their bike, they are maybe a little heavy. And perhaps SPD cleats aren't as good for speed when compared to 3 bolt cleats. But if you are new to clipless pedals then I think they are ideal, especially if you want to use your bike as a commuter. I find it very useful to have 2-sided pedals on my commuter for when I want to wear normal shoes. And you'll soon get the hang of cleating in and out without even thinking.

Deegs

Just fitted a new pair of ultra bog-standard Shimano M520 mtb pedals to my bike- essentially a road training bike, old columbus SLX with various much newer components, because they are easy to walk around in. Up Col du Galibier and Alpe D'Huez Sat/Sun last weekend using these, were perfectly adequate. "Proper" road pedals probably slightly more efficient. I find SPD system very easy to get in/out of. Would recommend even in traffic.

johnnyL

I used those M520's on my commuting and road bike. Excellent pedals. And you can get them very cheap at the moment. A bargain.

CiB

Bike computers are waterproof to the extent that you can ride with them in normal rain, but not usually to the extent that you can immerse them in water. Mine failed me last night in the monsoon, not because water got in but because the contacts were swimming in water and it didn't like it. It works fine today.

Treat them as damp-proof and you'll be ok.

gregster10217

I'm sure I've read somewhere (on here) that putting a bit of vasoline or similar on the contacts of the computer helps it to continue working throughout the wet. Might be mistaken?!