Couple of newbie questions

JimboM

Finally managed to get out for a very quick spin on my new bike on Sunday and as a result have a couple of numpty questions

1. Should I be able to brake properly whilst riding on the hoods, I can manage to pull the levers a bit, but coming to a quick stop is going to be a problem. Guessing it may be that my hand position isn't quite right or that as the brakes are new they are a bit tight at the moment

2. Round my way you can't go more than 30 yards without hitting a speed bump, is there any special way I should be riding over these or will the bike just take them in it's stride (Cannondale Synapse)

Cheers

Jim

Peddle Up!

1. Yes, but you might have to move forwards a bit.

2. Lift your bum off the saddle.

nochekmate

1. You should be able to stop your bike by using the brakes from the hoods but for greater braking power you may need to move to the drops.

2. See above

crescent

1. You will always get more leverage from the drops but initially you should be able to operate the levers enough to at least slow down from the hoods. The levers will probably become easier to use from the hoods once the 'newness' wears off.

2, Speed bumps can be a nightmare, I always clench a bit when I think of the damage they do to my nice wheels and tyres. You will develop a technique for trying to minimalise the impact with experience, either by coming out the saddle or trying to 'bunny hop' to some degree. I almost came a cropper on one yesterday during the Pedal for Scotland ride. Tried to lift my front wheel over it and landed at a slight angle - could have been embarrassing/painful to say the least.

Cheers

Peddle Up!

Bunny hops while clipped in. That's always going to end in tears.

ollyridesfirst

Peddle Up! wrote:

Bunny hops while clipped in. That's always going to end in tears.

-1 - much easier to do when clipped in! Granted, you need practice to land right or as stated above, you come down at an angle and fall, but after a few, they are simples!

merak

OllyRidesFirst wrote:

Peddle Up! wrote:

Bunny hops while clipped in. That's always going to end in tears.

-1 - much easier to do when clipped in! Granted, you need practice to land right or as stated above, you come down at an angle and fall, but after a few, they are simples!

+1 to Olly. Bunny hops very difficult if not impossible on a road bike unless clipped/strapped in.

oldwelshman

JimboM wrote:

Finally managed to get out for a very quick spin on my new bike on Sunday and as a result have a couple of numpty questions

1. Should I be able to brake properly whilst riding on the hoods, I can manage to pull the levers a bit, but coming to a quick stop is going to be a problem. Guessing it may be that my hand position isn't quite right or that as the brakes are new they are a bit tight at the moment

2. Round my way you can't go more than 30 yards without hitting a speed bump, is there any special way I should be riding over these or will the bike just take them in it's stride (Cannondale Synapse)

Cheers

Jim

For the breaking, I find it best if the pads are close as possible to the rims, i.e no slack and the levers operate with little movement. Your thumb around top of hood and 4 fingres over the lever to operate.
For the ramp, I would not say bunny hop unless you know what your doing and have right skill, but in time you will learn how to minimise effect of bump by distributing you wight on the bike to the right place. try putting pedal in hiorizontal, i.e not one up one down but one forward one back, then while out of saddle, lean back as front wheel hits ramp then move forward as back wheel hits ramp, so the weight is never over the wheel hitting the ramp. You will get the feel for this with experience.