The Noob questions thread!!!

[nagsheadwarrior]

As a Newish (12 months) reborn cyclist and commuter I've started plenty of noob threads and received lots of good advice,so rather than have lots of little threads I thought Id see if theres demand for one big one.

Couple of questions to get the ball rolling-

I picked up my first roadbike last night,a Raleigh Airlite 200,the tyres are flat through lack of use but unlike my Hybrid which I pump up with the cars 12v compressor they have tiny valves,can I get an adapter for the 12v pump or is one of those big floor mounted pumps the way to go?

It has the original strappy (egg beater?) pedals,I like the spikey flat pedals on the hybrid but would a set of the ones where you clip in with special shoes be a big improvement,the idea does scare me a tad but I might give them a try.

[Jonnny]

I've just got myself a pair of the clipless pedals, going to fit them tonight. Looking forward to seeing how much of a difference they make.

I think you can get an adapter, but these tyres are usually inflated to 110psi (IIRC) so I'm not sure if your electric pump would get high enough?

[wildoliver]

Buy a budget track pump, you can get them from Aldi quite often or even Halfords/Wilko. Don't mess around with any other options it will be a waste of money, plus the track pump is handy for other jobs too.

If your used to platform pedals then you can either remove the toe straps (rat traps) from the existing pedals, then learn to use them which takes a while but they are very worthwhile on a road bike and make it a lot easier. Or move to clip pedals, some of these allow you to ride in normal shoes which is handy, others don't, they are actually easier to clip in and out of than the old rat traps, which is why they are universally used with anyone who isn't in to retro bikes like me, they are far more user friendly (no leaning down to tighten straps or wriggling out of them for lights) and in an emergency far easier to pop out of (by emergency I mean you've stopped and forgotten to put feet on floor and feel the wobble of doom start).

But I'd persevere with the rat traps for now and spend £15 on a track pump.

[HughG]

These are egg beaters:


These are toeclips (that you were referring to)


HTH

[yellowjack]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Couple of questions to get the ball rolling-

I picked up my first roadbike last night,a Raleigh Airlite 200,the tyres are flat through lack of use but unlike my Hybrid which I pump up with the cars 12v compressor they have tiny valves,can I get an adapter for the 12v pump or is one of those big floor mounted pumps the way to go?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=presta+to+schrad... ...valve adaptors for you. Yes, they will allow your 12v compressor to put air into your tubes, but as has already been mentioned, it may not be sufficient to inflate them to the pressure necessary to ride on.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=track+pump&r... ...track pumps for you. Very good at what they are designed for - inflating low volume tyres to high pressures, unlike your compressor which is [probably] best for inflating high volume tyres to low pressures. See also "floor pumps" and "workshop pumps" although track pump is the most widely used term for this type of pump.

nagsheadwarrior said:

It has the original strappy (egg beater?) pedals,I like the spikey flat pedals on the hybrid but would a set of the ones where you clip in with special shoes be a big improvement,the idea does scare me a tad but I might give them a try.

Not 'egg-beaters' - these are a kind of clip-in pedal made by 'Crank Brothers' - Search for an image and you'll see why they are so-called. You probably have "Toe Clip" pedals with fabric/leather straps. I run my older road/tourer with these still, but use the SPD-SL type pedals (which you clip into, yet are bizarrely called 'clipless') on my modern road bike. There's nothing wrong with the pedals you have, but the clip-in style are very popular with good reason. Increased efficiency in the transfer of your effort into output at the road/tyre contact point is the order of the day. Having SPD, or SPD-SL style pedals will help you 'fit in' with the gang, too

You don't have to spend an absolute fortune on the shoes/pedals, but know that the more you spend, the lighter and 'fancier' they'll be. Know this, too - you WILL have a 'moment' and fall off. Everyone does, usually in the first few weeks, just before clipping out becomes second nature, but shortly after you stop actively worrying about falling over every time you apply the brakes.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... there is a post or two on this thread about low(er) cost shoes/pedals.

Keep an eye on that thread, as you'll see what other, often more experienced folk are buying, and it can be a good pointer for offers/sale prices too.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Good stuff chaps thanks for the info.

I think I'll get an adapter for the 12v job ordered as why not at that price,it pumps up the semi slicks on the Hybrid to 80psi in seconds, I hadnt realised the track pumps were so cheap so will get one of them too.

Pedal wise I think I'll see how I get on with the strappy ones but a move to the confusingly named clipless ones might have to be tried.

[Mr Will]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Pedal wise I think I'll see how I get on with the strappy ones but a move to the confusingly named clipless ones might have to be tried.

When you realise that the strappy bits are toe clips, it becomes much more clear why the ones with cleats instead are called clipless.

[Gizmoish]

Mr Will said:

nagsheadwarrior said:

Pedal wise I think I'll see how I get on with the strappy ones but a move to the confusingly named clipless ones might have to be tried.

When you realise that the strappy bits are toe clips, it becomes much more clear why the ones with cleats instead are called clipless.

although still stupid.

[chrisp84]

Went out on my spanking new road bike for the first time yesterday, loved it and did 15 miles only stopping because I ran out of route! Felt fine after but waking up this morning my arse seems to be a little sore, as if I've bruised it a little.

Was out in my running stuff so no chafing and have ordered a cheap pair of shorts with a little padding in ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Dare2b-Shorts-Buffe... ) but was wondering if you experts had any tips or is it just something to get used to? Don't want to spend money on changing saddle yet.

[Jonnny]

Learn to sit your 'sit bones' on the saddle, and just spend more time on the bike.. You'll get used to it.

I used to struggle with 10 miles, but can do 50+ miles now without much of a problem.

[Mr Will]

Give it a bit of time, if it's still hurting after a few more rides then maybe look at other options but it sounds like you're just getting used to it.

[chrisp84]

Thanks guy, pretty much what I thought no particular tips and tricks...just get used to it. Can't wait to get out again tbh

[Engineer1]

You will ache to start with and you will ache first few rides back after any break, the "rules" are right with regard to rule 5

[Vocal Minority]

nagsheadwarrior said:

I picked up my first roadbike last night,a Raleigh Airlite 200,the tyres are flat through lack of use but unlike my Hybrid which I pump up with the cars 12v compressor they have tiny valves,can I get an adapter for the 12v pump or is one of those big floor mounted pumps the way to go?

A schrader (what the pump will be for) to Presta (what you have) adapter will be available from your LBS for a couple of quid.

[Gizmoish]

Jonnny said:

Learn to sit your 'sit bones' on the saddle, and just spend more time on the bike.. You'll get used to it.

I used to struggle with 10 miles, but can do 50+ miles now without much of a problem.

Yep

The initial soreness is just your body learning not to store fat under your sit bones, in the same way as it doesn't store any on your kneecaps.

[nagsheadwarrior]

A pair of padded bibshorts and perseverance solved the problem for me,the roadbike saddles like a rock but not a problem.
Floor pump thing and a 12v adapter now received and some spd-sl await fitting as found the strappy pedals which sit the wrong way up annoying!
Another question-
When on the drops should i be able to use the brake/gear levers as i cant reach them?

[Gizmoish]

Depends on bar shape - but when in the furthest forward part of the drops you should be able to?

[Jonnny]

Gizmoish said:

Depends on bar shape - but when in the furthest forward part of the drops you should be able to?

I can reach mine, find drops most comfortable for braking. I don't have much confidence when braking on the hoods.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Right,ive only ridden it once so might try to adjust my position a bit,i found i can reach the levers but not enough to pull them.

[Jonnny]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Right,ive only ridden it once so might try to adjust my position a bit,i found i can reach the levers but not enough to pull them.

Think you'll get used to it, just need more time on the bike. I'm new to cycling, have only done 160 miles so far but still adjusting slightly whilst riding etc.