Assortment of Beginners Questions.....

ChewyLuey

Hi All

I have ordered my first road bike after some great advice on here. It will be a few weeks before I have it (Canyon) so getting a few other things prepared in advance of receiving it.
I have a few questions that sound a bit stupid even to me but might aswell ask them anyway :-)

1. Pump. the last time I cycled a road bike about twenty years ago, your pump would be held in place on the frame (the frame had two protruding holder for this. Is this the same ?

2. Will the frame be pre-drilled for a bottle cage ?

3. Whats a good middle of the road (pardon the pun) helmet ? What should I expect to pay ?

4. I'm thinking of getting pedals that can be used for proper bike shoes eventually but usable with just runners at the start. Does this make sense ? Anyone recommend anything ?

5. Should I get some kind of bike computer straight away or just use the training GPS thingy on my phone for now ?

Thx :-)

funkyjebus

ChewyLuey wrote: »

Hi All

I have ordered my first road bike after some great advice on here. It will be a few weeks before I have it (Canyon) so getting a few other things prepared in advance of receiving it.
I have a few questions that sound a bit stupid even to me but might aswell ask them anyway :-)

1. Pump. the last time I cycled a road bike about twenty years ago, your pump would be held in place on the frame (the frame had two protruding holder for this. Is this the same ?

2. Will the frame be pre-drilled for a bottle cage ?

3. Whats a good middle of the road (pardon the pun) helmet ? What should I expect to pay ?

4. I'm thinking of getting pedals that can be used for proper bike shoes eventually but usable with just runners at the start. Does this make sense ? Anyone recommend anything ?

5. Should I get some kind of bike computer straight away or just use the training GPS thingy on my phone for now ?

Thx :-)

The pump will come with a mount which you attach to one if the pre drilled bottle mounts.
50e should get you a decent helmet you can use for a while. You can get pedals with spd on one side and flat.pedals for normal shoes on the other, shimano do a few. Phone app is a good start, but you want more in the long run.

smacl

ChewyLuey wrote: »

4. I'm thinking of getting pedals that can be used for proper bike shoes eventually but usable with just runners at the start. Does this make sense ? Anyone recommend anything ?

Check out this thread regarding dual purpose pedals.

petethedrummer

The Zefal HPX is the best frame pump of the 3 i've owned. There are 4 different sizes I think. The holder will screw into the bottle cage holes.
http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=73

That pump is only for emergencies on the road. You'll need a track pump to keep your tyres at correct pressure.
Something like the Joe blow max is good. It has been the best of the 3 we have had in our household. The others were all plastic and eventually gave up.
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/JoeBlowMaxII

Lemag

I have a pair of these but the one's suggested by TE in the thread which smacl linked might be better. With the ones which I have I usually have to kick them over from the clipless to the flat side when putting the foot back on them so it's a bit annoying for those stop-start city commutes.

+1 on what petethedrummer said about getting a track pump. I have the same one which he suggested. As for the mini pump to take with you I have the carbon version of this. It's neat and compact (fits into my saddle bag) and has worked pretty well so far.

The frame will be set up for you to add bottle cages with ease (just an allen key required) on the downtube and seattube.

Friend of mine picked up a helmet for just over €20 in the edge sports on North Main Street a couple of months ago. He's a large head and he seems quite happy with it.

Which Canyon did you go for? I'd be interested in checking it out when it arrives it that'd be ok?

smacl

+1 on the Joe blow max II, especially if you've also got kids with space hoppers, bouncy balls, balloons for parties etc... Though watch the footballs, burst a leather one last week much to my younger daughters disgust.

Lemag

smacl wrote: »

Though watch the footballs, burst a leather one last week much to my younger daughters disgust.

Football is not for girls.

ThisRegard

Could have fooled me, every time I watch it I see what at first appears to be a soccer match with grown men quickly turn into some form of ballet diving competition, my 1 year old girl whinges less when she falls over

Lemag

Lemag wrote: »

Football is not should not be for girls.

However, as pointed out by ThisRegard, it clearly is;)

smacl

Lemag wrote: »

However, as pointed out by ThisRegard, it clearly is;)

Slightly OT, but...

ChewyLuey

Lemag wrote: »

Friend of mine picked up a helmet for just over €20 in the edge sports on North Main Street a couple of months ago. He's a large head and he seems quite happy with it.

Which Canyon did you go for? I'd be interested in checking it out when it arrives it that'd be ok?

God that seems very reasonable for a helmet, might check them out.

No problem ya. I went for the Roadlite 6.0 in black as suggested by lots of people on here (including yourself I think). Off the top of his head, one of the guys in a LBS said to build something comparable with that Ultegra/105 mix would be costing me in or around €1600 so seemed like a no brainer to me really.

Lemag

ChewyLuey wrote: »

God that seems very reasonable for a helmet, might check them out.

No problem ya. I went for the Roadlite 6.0 in black as suggested by lots of people on here (including yourself I think). Off the top of his head, one of the guys in a LBS said to build something comparable with that Ultegra/105 mix would be costing me in or around €1600 so seemed like a no brainer to me really.

Did you get it in a triple? I remembered you mentioning a long waiting period for a 6.0 if you went for the double in your size. I've got both a Canyon road bike and MTB and I'm delighted with them both as I'm sure you will be with yours.

Undercover Elephant

funkyjebus wrote: »

The pump will come with a mount which you attach to one if the pre drilled bottle mounts.

Should probably ask this in a separate thread but:

Has anyone had any success in mounting a pump holder and a bottle cage in the same space? It ought to be possible otherwise having the pump off to one side would be pointless. But the bolts never seem long enough to go through both.

petethedrummer

Halfords sell longer bolts seperately. Most bike shops would I suspect, they might even throw you some for free if you're good.

DubOnHoliday

Can you recommend a decent product for cleaning muck off my MTB? Its getting destroyed after just a couple of weeks use.

Lemag

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Can you recommend a decent product for cleaning muck off my MTB? Its getting destroyed after just a couple of weeks use.

I've found Muc Off to be quite good and get yourself some good brushes.

ChewyLuey

Lemag wrote: »

Did you get it in a triple? I remembered you mentioning a long waiting period for a 6.0 if you went for the double in your size. I've got both a Canyon road bike and MTB and I'm delighted with them both as I'm sure you will be with yours.

No I went with the double alright. Due to delays caused by our HR dept getting their heads around the crazy idea of buying something online rather than in a shop the 6 week wait for the bike was down to a 3 week wait by the time I actually placed the order. I.E. shipping week for a size 58 in black was week 19 a few weeks back and hasnt changed since. So should have it in about 3 weeks hopefully.

Rofo

Undercover Elephant wrote: »

Should probably ask this in a separate thread but:

Has anyone had any success in mounting a pump holder and a bottle cage in the same space? It ought to be possible otherwise having the pump off to one side would be pointless. But the bolts never seem long enough to go through both.

Yup I got an SKS Rookie XL Pump in Cycle Superstore that clips onto the bottle cage:

pump.PNG

Lemag

ChewyLuey wrote: »

No I went with the double alright. Due to delays caused by our HR dept getting their heads around the crazy idea of buying something online rather than in a shop the 6 week wait for the bike was down to a 3 week wait by the time I actually placed the order. I.E. shipping week for a size 58 in black was week 19 a few weeks back and hasnt changed since. So should have it in about 3 weeks hopefully.

You're lucky. Most HR or accounts departments wouldn't be so patient. I too was lucky in that the company which I work for is quite small so they were happy to let me find out how it was to administered.

EDIT - I think that I hinted earlier at my interest at seeing it after its arrival. I'll even help you put it together if you'd like if you're based in or around the city centre.

BostonB

Those pumps you carry. Do they lock on to the valve or do you have to hold them by force. I have a Zefal duo-820-xt and it doesn't lock on, you hold it on by force which is a bit of a pain.

http://www.bikepartsplace.com/discount/bicycle-mount-pump-duo-820-xt/

iregk

I suppose this is as good a place as any to post this.

What approx is the distance/durability of a Gatorskin or Ultra Gatorskin tyre does anyone know. Lets assume is standard tar road we're talking and not chopped to fcuk country lane.

ChewyLuey

Lemag wrote: »

EDIT - I think that I hinted earlier at my interest at seeing it after its arrival. I'll even help you put it together if you'd like if you're based in or around the city centre.

That'd be good.
While we're at it, I see on the spec for that bike that tyre size is 23 622. If I want to buy some spare tubes should I be looking out for those numbers or how does sizing work ?
Where in general is best to pick up some spare tubes ?

seamus

BostonB wrote: »

Those pumps you carry. Do they lock on to the valve or do you have to hold them by force. I have a Zefal duo-820-xt and it doesn't lock on, you hold it on by force which is a bit of a pain.

http://www.bikepartsplace.com/discount/bicycle-mount-pump-duo-820-xt/

Most of them have a small lever at the top, which you pull upwards after you slot it onto the valve. This locks the pump in place.

Your pump appears to have one of these, but it's hard to tell without a better image.

Lemag

ChewyLuey wrote: »

That'd be good.
While we're at it, I see on the spec for that bike that tyre size is 23 622. If I want to buy some spare tubes should I be looking out for those numbers or how does sizing work ?
Where in general is best to pick up some spare tubes ?

I don't know a whole lot about tubes. I tend to go with what's recommended/cheap and only really notice that I've been let down by a tube when it punctures. My valve preference is presta. Some pumps will be able accommodate both presta and schrader. My mini pump doesn't. I bought these last night. Regarding the sizing - there is an amount of flexibility here as, due to the material of tubes and their intended design, they can expand quite a bit. You're pretty much just looking for something that will fill the tyre without any slack and keeping it pressed against the rim of your wheel. The 23mm refers to the width of the tyre when inflated and the 622mm refers to the diameter from where the tyre sits on the rim. The '700' you might have noticed from the link which I've provided refers to the diameter of the wheel. 700mm is standard, btw.

BostonB

seamus wrote: »

Most of them have a small lever at the top, which you pull upwards after you slot it onto the valve. This locks the pump in place.

Your pump appears to have one of these, but it's hard to tell without a better image.

It does but it doesn't seem to do anything. maybe mine is broken. I have no problem with my Joe Blow Track pump. You flip the lever up and it locks. Nothing happens on my mini pump though.

Dubba

iregk wrote: »

I suppose this is as good a place as any to post this.

What approx is the distance/durability of a Gatorskin or Ultra Gatorskin tyre does anyone know. Lets assume is standard tar road we're talking and not chopped to fcuk country lane.

I'd look to change after around 5k if the tyre isn't already in a poor shape.

Also if your buying a new set I'd recommend the Conti GP 4000S, which I've found more puncture resistant and just a more comfortable ride than the Gatorskins.

dazed+confused

Another newbie cycling question, Bib shorts, why?......

What advantage do the shoulder straps have?

My cycling shorts never budge an inch, they're lycra, its skintight!

And man do bib shorts look ridiculous!

iregk

Bib shorts only look ridiculous when you've no top on. The jersey covers the straps so they look like any other shorts.

The advantage of bib shorts is no slippage. With standard lyrca shorts they can move downwards when you are hunched over. This can cause particular moments of stress when you think you may be displaying a bit of builders crack. Which of course you aren't. No matter what way you move, the bib's stay perfectly fitted.

Also actually I should say that on most lycra shorts the waist band tends to be tight and strong which on longer rides can dig into you and become quite uncomfortable. Not a problem with bibs.

petethedrummer

dazed+confused wrote: »

My cycling shorts never budge an inch, they're lycra, its skintight!

Yeah same here. I have 50% bibs, 50% shorts and the shorts are fine, they never move or cause me any pain. Handier for commuting and easier to have a 'natural break' in. They might not suit some people.

dazed+confused wrote: »

And man do bib shorts look ridiculous!

They pull in your belly a bit if you've been over indulging on the biscuits. Which is nice.

langdang

Never had bib shorts - are they hassle when it comes to watering the sunflowers?

seamus

langdang wrote: »

Never had bib shorts - are they hassle when it comes to watering the sunflowers?

Yes and no. Some will have a zip down the front that you can open. Others are stretchy enough to lift it up-and-over. I prefer the latter actually because zips are incompatible with the happy place.

Some people go down through the leg, but that leaves an angle of attack too close to my feet for my liking.

I've rarely found the need though tbh. If you're sweating hard enough, you won't need to pee.

langdang

Cheers, I'll skip on the zips too I think!

iregk

I quite like the contorsionist act that is required. A delicate balance of bending over, jersey lift, pulling the shorts down and lifting up your tackle. When you do it right you'll be quite pleased with yourself.

+1 on the down the leg bit as well. Way too close for that one altough if your hardcore you will master this one while on the move. Thats what those long down hill runs are for.

SuiteCheex

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Can you recommend a decent product for cleaning muck off my MTB? Its getting destroyed after just a couple of weeks use.

I'm glad you asked this question as recently I've been cleaning my bike, and in particular the drivetrain, with a pressure hose. I was wondering if I was commiting some sort of cardinal sin of bicycle maintenance by doing so.

It's just that during the winter, it was breaking my heart using just brushes and water to clear all the crud that accumulates in your chain/cassette/derailleur after a cycle in the rain. One day I'd had enough and went at it with the pressure hose. Seemed to work a treat but I'm curious to know if I'm taking the "Use a sledghammer to build an Ikea flat-pack" approach to cleaning the bike. I'm not damaging the bike, am I?

BostonB

SuiteCheex wrote: »

I'm glad you asked this question as recently I've been cleaning my bike, and in particular the drivetrain, with a pressure hose. I was wondering if I was commiting some sort of cardinal sin of bicycle maintenance by doing so....

...
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]Please note that while it may seem like you can just blast your bike clean in seconds with a high-pressure hose, that’s a terrible mistake you never want to make. High-pressure water, especially sprayed from the side, will blast the grease and lubricants right out of the components, such as the hubs, bottom bracket and headset. And it’s a big job to get the water out and fresh grease back in. That’s why you always just trickle the water over the frame from the top when washing and rinsing....[/SIZE][/FONT]

http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/bikewash.htm

Though some say its ok if you are careful.

dazed+confused

iregk wrote: »

I quite like the contorsionist act that is required. A delicate balance of bending over, jersey lift, pulling the shorts down and lifting up your tackle. When you do it right you'll be quite pleased with yourself.

+1 on the down the leg bit as well. Way too close for that one altough if your hardcore you will master this one while on the move. Thats what those long down hill runs are for.

Okay that answers my question perfectly lads, thanks.

I haven't yet reached the belly dancer stage and when stopping for a call of nature I like to be back on the bike in a matter of seconds. Having said all that I might buy a pair out of curiosity for really long rides to see if they are more comfortable.

blorg

There is really no problem peeing in bib shorts (if you are male) and they are more comfortable. The rear end is far more difficult though, you basically have to get naked. A jersey with a full zip makes it far easier- without the full zip it has to go over your head and it is difficult to keep everything in the pockets.

I'd be careful about the not needing to pee because you are sweating, sounds to me like you would be dehydrated. If you are drinking enough you will need to pee every few hours (and urine should be light in colour.)