Complete Cycling Newbie

[Jonnny]

Hello,

So I've been getting into cycling at the gym, have done a few what I'd call long distance (For the gym anyway!) 50/60 mile rides and got fed up of looking at the same piece of wall so bought a Carrera Virtuoso (First bike, not much budget!) and started riding on the roads.

Are there anything us newbies should know/read up on/buy?
What things do you know now, that you didn't know when you first started?
What things have you bought that you feel you should have bought much earlier on?

I've got some padded shorts, and a D2B Jersey which is comfortable.. Looking at getting another set though, so any pointers on some good, but reasonably priced kit?

Thanks chaps! Hope to join you on some rides in the future

[Benrad]

Wiggle's dhb range seems good. Bought something from their range for the first time last week and was impressed with quality/price ratio

Have fun and remember riding up hills never gets easier, you only get faster

[TwistingMyMelon]

Just get out there!

Try and ride a variety of terrain, to see what you like

You will probs find it quite a bit harder than an indoor bike, due to all the outside variables and wind resistance

Chat to any local riders you see, they might ask you to tag along

Ensure the bike is setup correctly, there are loads of guides/videos on-line

Cleats and road shoes will help

[Jonnny]

Thanks!

Did get a few nods from other cyclists on the road this morning which felt good. Think I'll get a pair of shoes and cleats at the end of this month, toe clips and normal shoes just doesn't feel that good. Plus it's difficult to get back into the strap after stopping.

I need to set my bike up correctly, chain is catching on the front derailleur slightly.

[Jonnny]

Another question;

Team kit - Is it frowned upon to wear if you're not part of the team?

eg. The pro kits look very cool, saw some people wearing them yesterday on my ride and they look the part.. Where as me in my mashup of shorts/jersey (All black, just not same brand!) doesn't look cool.

[itsnotarace]

Team jersey = cool to support your favourite team
Team shorts & team jersey = ok
Team colour bike, team shorts, team jersey, team socks, team helmet, team sunglasses & team bidons = not cool unless you are on the team

[yellowjack]

Jonnny said:

Another question;

Team kit - Is it frowned upon to wear if you're not part of the team?

eg. The pro kits look very cool, saw some people wearing them yesterday on my ride and they look the part.. Where as me in my mashup of shorts/jersey (All black, just not same brand!) doesn't look cool.

Simple answer: Don't be confused. Ride, and wear, what the hell you choose to ride/wear. The choices you make really have no bearing on what others think or do.

Long answer: Have a look at the sticky (Velominati - The Rules) that burriana added last year. Follow the link to the actual 'rules' and have a scan. When you've finished, you can either go out to the shed in a panic and make sure your bike and all your kit conforms, or you can have a little chuckle to yourself, cherrypick the rules you like, ignore the ones you don't, and go about life exactly as you did before you read the 'rules'. They're a bit of fun, and need to be taken with an ocean of salt, never mind a pinch.

Yes, there will be some who will take a dim view of "Team Kit", but that says more about the attitude of the bike snob than it does about you. After all, money no object, these bike snobs would be on a Pro Tour level bike in team colours quicker than you can blink. Ultimately, if it makes you happy, and you are comfortable with it (and it doesn't 'outrage public decency' ) then do it because it pleases YOU. You should not abstain from doing something simply because you might be of a different opinion to someone else.

Me, I don't go in for 'teamwear' because unlike football, I don't really have any allegiance to a particular team/brand, although I did try to buy a TeamGB cycling top last year, but left it too late and couldn't get my size. This was mainly due to overthinking things, and worrying about the opinions of others - by the time I'd talked some sense into myself, the kit was virtually sold out.

[rhinochopig]

Ignore the BS about what to wear - you can ride in pretty much anything. Cheap clothing can be just as effective as the more expensive kit that many on here drool over. Fit is everything.

What is essential is:

• Spare tube
• Puncture repair kit
• Tyre levers
• Multi-tool which includes a chain splitter
• SRAM or KMC power links - to re-join the chain - make sure you buy the right size for your chain 9 or 10 speed.
• Small pump

Without this you're stranded if you have a mechanical.

All of the above you can keep in your jersey, but if you come off it will hurt so a small saddle bag is worth getting.

Expensive components will not be as effective as making you go faster as riding more will. Getting many many miles under your wheels will also help you work out what you want when you do eventually succumb to the upgrade bug.

[Mr Will]

I do have a Sky jersey I will wear occasionally but in general I'm not a fan of modern team kit, it's a little bit "football fan" in my eyes.

My preference is either for classic understated kit or vintage team jerseys - try http://www.prendas.co.uk/,http://torm.cc or some of the stuff from http://www.morvelo.com/ for inspiration (or Rapha, Vulpine, Shutt VR and Assos if you are feeling spendy!).

The other good options are club kit or event jerseys but I think these are for a little further down the line.

[M777CUS]

lovely looking bike.

i too am a complete cycling noob and dont feel comfortable in the full on jersy/biking shorts look.

so i ride in shorts and a t shirt. what i feel comfortable in.

would it really make much difference?

[TwistingMyMelon]

M777CUS said:

lovely looking bike.

i too am a complete cycling noob and dont feel comfortable in the full on jersy/biking shorts look.

so i ride in shorts and a t shirt. what i feel comfortable in.

would it really make much difference?

Yes and no!

Lycra helps with "chaffing" and wicking away sweat (a cotton tshirt gets heavvvvy) , the comfort element comes into its own after 20+ miles

It is also far more aero than a baggy tshirt, which is beneficial at higher speeds

The padding in the shorts is also very beneficial

[yellowjack]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Yes and no!

Lycra helps with "chaffing" and wicking away sweat (a cotton tshirt gets heavvvvy) , the comfort element comes into its own after 20+ miles

It is also far more aero than a baggy tshirt, which is beneficial at higher speeds

The padding in the shorts is also very beneficial

Listen at 'im. He speaks the truth (re: the shorts thing). I took my road bike to the shop the other day, but didn't bother to put proper cycling shorts on, as it was 'only a short trip' to buy a new chain. Wearing regular shorts and undercrackers, I was tempted by the weather into stretching the ride to 15 miles. By 10 miles I was regretting that decision bitterly. My pants were rubbing in the inside of my thighs, and they are still feeling sore two days later. This from someone who buys cheap cycling shorts and has never needed 'chamois cream', even on rides from 70 up to 100 miles.

As for the rest of the gear, a t-shirt will do, not so much danger of 'chafing' your soft bits, but a 'proper' jersey will, as said, be less 'flappy' and will do a better job of keeping you dry/comfortable when you sweat.

[M777CUS]

where do you guys buy your cycling gear from? ill need a place that wont mind me trying it on

[yellowjack]

Give us a clue as to your location, then someone with local knowledge can (maybe) direct you to somewhere nearby which has a facility and some stock to try. Otherwise, find an online retailer with a decent returns policy (Wiggle has been mentioned, I think) and buy a couple of sizes then send back what doesn't fit. I'm no fan of Evans Cycles, but the ones I've been in have had a changing room to assess the fit of clothing. When you do find a brand that works for you, you can then stick with it, and snap up the end of season bargains online

[M777CUS]

yellowjack said:

Give us a clue as to your location, then someone with local knowledge can (maybe) direct you to somewhere nearby which has a facility and some stock to try. Otherwise, find an online retailer with a decent returns policy (Wiggle has been mentioned, I think) and buy a couple of sizes then send back what doesn't fit. I'm no fan of Evans Cycles, but the ones I've been in have had a changing room to assess the fit of clothing. When you do find a brand that works for you, you can then stick with it, and snap up the end of season bargains online

thanks, im in nottingham.

[yellowjack]

M777CUS said:

thanks, im in nottingham.

In that case, I can't help. Sorry.

Most of my local knowledge is, unfortunately, very Southcentric (Surrey/Hampshire and Essex)

[Kermit power]

Another bit of advice - which rather goes against the grain for the typical bloke - is to try making a few changes before spending lots of money.

I went out for 37 miles on Tuesday evening on my road bike, and really enjoyed myself. This morning, on my commute on my CX bike, I was riding along thinking "I hate this saddle. It's uncomfortable. Must buy another like the one on my road bike to replace it".

Then common sense prevailed, and I hopped off the bike and moved the saddle forwards by 5mm to see if that would make any difference. Now it's even more comfy than the road bike!

The difference even a few mm of adjustment can make on a bike is quite simply staggering.

[anonymous-user]

itsnotarace said:

Team jersey = cool to support your favourite team
Team shorts & team jersey = ok
Team colour bike, team shorts, team jersey, team socks, team helmet, team sunglasses & team bidons = not cool unless you are on the team

you forgot arm warmers and gloves... to say nothing of off-bike attire

On the Continent though, everyone wears all the team kit that matches their bike, you ride a Merida, you wear Lampre and so on and no one gives them a second glance, I saw loads of people fully kitted out in team clothing but only here in the UK does it appear to get all snobby.

[gangzoom]

Get Strava for your phone, start riding, build up some routes and than start beating your PBs.

Great way to motivate your self and rind popular local rides

[Jonnny]

I've got Strava, really like the segment idea.

Thanks for the help so far!

What forums do people use, other than here? Are there any decent ones?