Tips/critique for a new rider
Discussion
WhisperingWasp said:
Indeed I think addey has nailed it. On reflection, what I am doing is seating the tyre at the valve last rather than first. As such I am seating it around the valve when the tyre is at its most taut, using the tyre levers by this point.
I imagine I am leaving myself the least possible margin for error doing this. Or to put it another way it sounds like I’m doing it completely arse about face!
Thank you all for the advice.
Yes, I always do the bit by the valve first (although I know others don't). I then push the tyre on evenly both sides so the last bit is opposite the valve. Then push the valve up into the tyre and pinch the beads inside the rim as described above. Then check valve is perpendicular. Then work from the valve down both sides stretching the tyre around the wheel until I get to the last bit, which I roll on without tyre levers.I imagine I am leaving myself the least possible margin for error doing this. Or to put it another way it sounds like I’m doing it completely arse about face!
Thank you all for the advice.
Ok maybe that's just me, but hope it helps! I've missed out the bits about what I do with the inner tube to avoid pinches.
deeen said:
es, I always do the bit by the valve first (although I know others don't). I then push the tyre on evenly both sides so the last bit is opposite the valve. Then push the valve up into the tyre and pinch the beads inside the rim as described above. Then check valve is perpendicular. Then work from the valve down both sides stretching the tyre around the wheel until I get to the last bit, which I roll on without tyre levers.
Ok maybe that's just me, but hope it helps! I've missed out the bits about what I do with the inner tube to avoid pinches.
That’s the exact technique I will do today. I just hope the inner tube isn’t damaged as it is my last one. Ok maybe that's just me, but hope it helps! I've missed out the bits about what I do with the inner tube to avoid pinches.
Siao said:
Hi WhisperingWasp, have you sorted all the posture issues and pains? I just found this thread and I haven't had the time to go through all the 6 pages, but I would recommend a bike fitting if you have £150 or so to spend. Best bike related money I've ever spent. Fixed all the pains and improved my pedal stroke and general fitness. Something to think about possibly. As for the seat, you need to find the right one for you, there's no exact science for this to my knowledge!
Hope this helps a bit!
Hi Siao. Sorry I missed this.Hope this helps a bit!
So yeah all my pains have gone it seems. I think a few people early in the thread said something like “your body gets used to it” and I would say maybe 10 rides in my a**e pain completely vanished. Stretches where I would previously wince or stand up for some relief I seemed to glide over.
My hands (pins n needles) continued for a couple more weeks and it is only now, replying to this, that I’ve realised that has gone too. Again, my body is probably getting used to the position/pressures and to a lesser degree I suppose as I lose weight I have less weight through my hands…?
A bike fit is probably something I would save for when I get a nice bike. Whilst I am sure it is money well spent it would amount to about half what I paid for the bike in the first place!
Guys quick question… my gear change doesn’t feel very slick. It is fine going up the gears but going down I often have to feather the lever or go down twice then back up one again. It sometimes seems to be “between” gears if that makes sense.
The worst bit is when I am stood up out of the saddle and it slips down a gear (or into the gear it should be in more likely) which is a bit unsettling.
Does this sound like something a service would cure or is it the nature of lower end gear (Shimano Tiagra for reference).
Cheers.
The worst bit is when I am stood up out of the saddle and it slips down a gear (or into the gear it should be in more likely) which is a bit unsettling.
Does this sound like something a service would cure or is it the nature of lower end gear (Shimano Tiagra for reference).
Cheers.
WhisperingWasp said:
Guys quick question… my gear change doesn’t feel very slick. It is fine going up the gears but going down I often have to feather the lever or go down twice then back up one again. It sometimes seems to be “between” gears if that makes sense.
The worst bit is when I am stood up out of the saddle and it slips down a gear (or into the gear it should be in more likely) which is a bit unsettling.
Does this sound like something a service would cure or is it the nature of lower end gear (Shimano Tiagra for reference).
Cheers.
I would expect a service to resolve it but to be honest you can learn to do it yourself in about 15 minutes - just watch the Park Tools videos on Shimano indexing.The worst bit is when I am stood up out of the saddle and it slips down a gear (or into the gear it should be in more likely) which is a bit unsettling.
Does this sound like something a service would cure or is it the nature of lower end gear (Shimano Tiagra for reference).
Cheers.
It’s conceivable there Met be some wear in the system that needs replacement - E.g. jockey wheels or cables.
To be honest
okgo said:
Its almost never jockey wheels and almost always a stretched chain/worn cassette if its an older bike. But if its a new bike then it could just be the settling in of the cables (they stretch a bit) and reindexing is required - which as said above is easy and many videos out there.
You are probably right and if I recall the OP correctly this is an old bike where the front derailleur doesn’t work at all. So probably a full service with new chain, cassette and cables is called for … 
tertius said:
okgo said:
Its almost never jockey wheels and almost always a stretched chain/worn cassette if its an older bike. But if its a new bike then it could just be the settling in of the cables (they stretch a bit) and reindexing is required - which as said above is easy and many videos out there.
You are probably right and if I recall the OP correctly this is an old bike where the front derailleur doesn’t work at all. So probably a full service with new chain, cassette and cables is called for … How much would that work cost do you think?
Note that I am seeking an answer that justifies me getting a new bike instead
WhisperingWasp said:
You recall correctly! I have no idea how old the bike is tbh; I bought it secondhand in 2016 but I don’t know how old it was at the time. Also don’t know if it has ever been serviced - certainly not while I’ve had it but then it hasn’t really been used until now.
How much would that work cost do you think?
Note that I am seeking an answer that justifies me getting a new bike instead
Depends how many bits the shop want to replace. How much would that work cost do you think?
Note that I am seeking an answer that justifies me getting a new bike instead
In the meantime your shifting problem can probably be solved with a small adjustment on the rear derailleur cable adjuster. Just watch a couple of YT videos, it’s simple to adjust.
Gears indexed - thanks for the pointer.
I seemed to get it changing smoothly then when riding up and down the road it didn’t seem quite as good but I guess this is because the weight of you on the bike affects it. Some fine tuning probably required but will see what it is like this evening.
I seemed to get it changing smoothly then when riding up and down the road it didn’t seem quite as good but I guess this is because the weight of you on the bike affects it. Some fine tuning probably required but will see what it is like this evening.
i'm four or five years ahead of you and I have had a similar problem on mine, At the weekend I cleaned and lubed the chain and put a little more tension in the cable (cable adjuster) and it is fine again. The gear cables do stretch a little over time.
Unfortunately chain maintenance is an ongoing chore, if you don't do it the chain wears quickly and if you don't catch the chain in time it change the shape of the teeth on the cassette etc.
Unfortunately chain maintenance is an ongoing chore, if you don't do it the chain wears quickly and if you don't catch the chain in time it change the shape of the teeth on the cassette etc.
IJWS15 said:
i'm four or five years ahead of you and I have had a similar problem on mine, At the weekend I cleaned and lubed the chain and put a little more tension in the cable (cable adjuster) and it is fine again. The gear cables do stretch a little over time.
Unfortunately chain maintenance is an ongoing chore, if you don't do it the chain wears quickly and if you don't catch the chain in time it change the shape of the teeth on the cassette etc.
Yeah I do lube the chain and when I went out in the wet I was conscious to rinse the bike down and get it dry to avoid rust. Unfortunately chain maintenance is an ongoing chore, if you don't do it the chain wears quickly and if you don't catch the chain in time it change the shape of the teeth on the cassette etc.
I went out yesterday evening and it was a lot better - perfect even - going down the gears but not as good going up. Guess I have over-adjusted it a bit. I did a bit of fine-tuning when I got back and will see what it is like on my next ride which will probably be Friday now.
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