Tips/critique for a new rider

[WhisperingWasp]

defblade said:

It's too late for you, you're in our world now
Have you meet the "what bike bits have you just bought" thread yet?

Haha it was fairly budget stuff really (Dare2B...) but I'm pleased with it.

I have indeed ventured into some of the other threads but will try and keep them at arm's length until I know this is "me". However, I'm continuing to enjoy it. Not sure if I'm enjoying the actual riding as much as the satisfaction of doing something I know is good for me instead of being at home on the PS4!

[WhisperingWasp]

Another ride today, keeping my every-other-day run going. This is I guess my "go-to" route. Bang on 20 miles (which feels a decent amount) and a good mix of hills, long sections, nice scenery, etc.

Beat my best time again which given how much I fannied about at the beginning after starting Strava but before setting off I'm quite pleased. Also encountered much more traffic which slowed me down through Ampthill. Guess this is offset to a degree by getting a bit of a breather in though.

Edited by WhisperingWasp on Thursday 12th May 21:52

[WhisperingWasp]

Did my long run again this morning. Felt really good to be honest. Had a real good flow to it. Feel like I’m getting into my stride now

[WhisperingWasp]

Mark83 said:

Happy to ride that loop with you and I can answer as many question as you can think of.

Headwinds are rubbish no matter how good you are. It never gets easier, you just go faster.

If you're going to get into road cycling more, definitely invest in some clipless pedals and cycling shoes.

My club runs introductory Saturday morning rides for people new to road cycling if you fancy out and backs from Hitchin.

Cheers Mark. I probably need to invest in a bike carrier for my car so I can mix up my riding a bit rather than doing the same old routes. The priority for now though is keeping it up so I get into the habit/routine.

[WhisperingWasp]

This evening’s ride:

[WhisperingWasp]

Getting faster…

[WhisperingWasp]

seiben said:

Nice progress. Have you managed to sort the front mech?

Thanks.

No not yet. Haven’t even had a look yet tbh. Will do so tomorrow evening I think.

[WhisperingWasp]

Gareth79 said:

Have a look at the Park Tool videos, they are excellent at explaining things very well with minimum fuss. Here's all the derailleur ones:

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help?area%5B%...

Likely the cable has stretched, or pulled through the cable clamp and it just needs a bit more pulling through and then adjusting.

Thanks for this. Think that is the same channel linked-to earlier in the thread and it certainly looks like a good source of info

[WhisperingWasp]

Struggled a bit tonight with my energy and the wind but the main thing is I got out again. Not really about my pace for me, more the workout.

[WhisperingWasp]

Oh, and, ahem

[WhisperingWasp]

I mentioned that I struggled on my last ride - now know why. I was coming down with a bug of some sort and it has wiped me out for a week! Not back to 100% but I did get myself out today as wanted to get back into my pattern. Didn't feel amazing (still a bit bunged up and lacking some energy) but glad I got myself out.

Edited by WhisperingWasp on Sunday 29th May 19:12

[WhisperingWasp]

Thanks for that info ShortShift.

So tonight I went out and got a puncture! Does that mean I’m properly part of the club now?! I took a gentle ride home (don’t know if I should have or not) and set about changing the tyre.

Handily I had two spare Bontrager tyres (god knows where they came from ) but I really struggled getting the tyre off. Anyway I managed to replace the rear tyre so thought I would do the front to match. I managed to snap 3 tyre levers trying to get the front off and gave up!

Is it ok to have mismatched tyres? Front has some grippy bits, rear (now) doesn’t… and any tips on the tyre lever things? The force that seems to be required makes me wonder why they are plastic?!

[WhisperingWasp]

Belated post from yesterday morning's ride. 10 minutes quicker than my last ride on this route (albeit when not feeling great) and 3 minutes quicker than my previous best. I was going up hills a gear or two higher (or lower?! But you know what I mean) than I have been. Not sure whether this is down to a general improvement in my fitness/technique or how much the different tyre had to do with it?!

Edited by WhisperingWasp on Friday 3rd June 23:15

[WhisperingWasp]

Mark83 said:

Fortunately, punctures are rare. I have maybe one or two a year. Keep an eye on your tyres for cuts and nicks. Get yourself some Continental GP5000s for the summer and 4Seasons for the winter. Can't say I've ever run mismatched tyres, nor would I want to, especially chucking it into a corner.

Never snapped a tyre lever but maybe the tyres? Beaded and tubeless can be very tight. I hate beaded tyres, don't run tubeless and never had a problem. Mine are generic plastic ones.

Edited by Mark83 on Thursday 2nd June 19:58

Mark with the different tyres do you have different wheels too and just swap the whole lot over or do you replace the tyres on the rims each time?

I went out on mismatched tyres yesterday; smooth (new) rear one and the old front with a touch of grip on it. I figured having a grippier front wasn't too risky. It felt fine tbh but I will have another go at matching up the front tyre.

I was probably a bit cack-handed with the levers, first time I'd changed a tyre. But I think they might be beaded actually.

[WhisperingWasp]

Mark83 said:

Can you fold the tyres or is there a steel bead meaning you cannot fold the tyre? I bought some beaded tyres for commuting when I was new to cycling. Never again. I binned them straight away. It took me 20 minutes of struggling in my living room to fit them. I couldn't imagine doing that roadside in the winter.

I have multiple wheels. My winter wheels have the Continental 4Season on them. I've a couple of sets of carbon wheels, both with GP5000 tyres so can swap wheels over easily and not faff with fitting tyres.

There doesn't appear to be a wire but they stay round when not mounted and are quite stiff. I'll upload a photo. The multiple sets of wheels makes sense. I'll hold off on that route for now as my motivation to get in better shape is due to my wedding in August so will be summer riding only. Assuming I take to it though (I am) I will have to invest in some all-round gear I guess.

Edit: old punctured tyre in front. Replacement tyre behind. It is a much lighter feeling tyre. This is to go on the front at the second attempt!

Edited by WhisperingWasp on Saturday 4th June 17:35

[WhisperingWasp]

Another ride today. Quite like this route. Sub-1 hour and whilst not that much climbing there is very little coasting either so I get into quite a good rhythm on it.

[WhisperingWasp]

Another ride today. Off work this week so I am going to try and get out every day. Smashed my best time on this route and could feel myself going noticeably faster at certain points. The new tyres (managed to fit the front now btw) seem to make a massive difference.

Is this in my head and is it me? Or do tyres make a really noticeable difference?

[WhisperingWasp]

deeen said:

The tyres could be "marginal gains" ( a small help) but I bet 90% of the improvement is down to the fact you keep practicing, that's improvements in fitness, technique and a bit of knowing the roads!

To answer an earlier question, plastic tyre levers are to minimise damage to carbon wheel rims.

To answer a question you didn't ask ( well this is PH!), every ride I carry 2 spare inner tubes, tyre levers and a small pump. amongst other things... but there's probably another thread for that!

Cheers deeen. I’d love to think it is me so maybe we can agree on 50:50

Having managed to get the old tyre off I can confirm the plastic ones work fine with my replacement tyres. Think the old ones were particularly stiff.

[WhisperingWasp]

defblade said:

Tyres can completely change a bike.

I went from Marathons to GP5000s on my old audax bike - each of which cost probably more than I'd spent on a pair in the past - and it felt like a different bike. Totally different price points and design characteristics though. I doubt I'd notice anything like as much moving between various performance tyres rather than changing from heavyweight commuting/touring ones.

The tyres I put on must have come with the bike when I bought it, can’t think why I would have them otherwise. So I have no idea what “level” they are tbh. They are smoother and narrower though so guess a bit speedier.

[WhisperingWasp]

Carbon copy ride from yesterday. Minute slower but still pleased with my pace.