Beginner Cyclist.......

CorkonianRebel

Hello to all in this forum!

I am looking to get into cycling as I have only used my bike to cycle to work now and then.I would be looking to go out cycling on weekends as thats the only time I am free! The bike I have is a Trek 7300FX and I think it is a good one but I have no idea really. From looking through previous beginner threads it seems wearing cycling shorts with no underwear is a must so I have that logged in! I'm wondering is my bike ok to use as obviously everyone that I see cycling has the racer type bike but then I have to go out and get one and that will take a while. I want to just get out there and cycle while the will is still in me if you understand me! Then I come to what should I wear for the first few times and how long/far should I cycle? I live in Cork City and if anyone knows good cycle routes for a beginner I would appreciate the help! I do a lot of running so I am fairly fit and I'm looking to add cycling to my routine as it seems fun!

I hope someone can help me out as I am a total Newbie!

Thanks in advance!

HivemindXX

I just looked up your bike and it's the same basic type as mine. These are fine for cycling relatively long distances. Drop bars might be better but a hybrid will get the job done.

You probably don't need to worry too much about what to wear. Certainly not if it's going to slow you down. In my opinion you'd be better off going out this weekend in your normal clothes than waiting a month until you have all the 'proper' gear. Cycling shorts and gloves are well worth getting. A jersey is very handy too but it certainly comes after the first two in my book. If I was you I'd go to Lidl/Aldi next time they are selling cycling gear and buy some stuff, it might take a few goes around but you can fill your bike wardrobe from them at very cheap prices. My Aldi jersey is the one I wear in preference to the other 5 I've gotten from participating in sportives. The only major no for clothing is no jeans, if they get wet they'll make you suffer horribly.


One way to find routes is this:

• Go to www.mapmyride.com
• Click Routes and then Search Rides
• Type your location in 'Around' then select 'Bike Ride' and the 'Desired Length' (try 20k to start with). Then click Search
• You'll get a ton of routes returned in the list below and you can hover over them to get a little map showing which way they go. Pick one you like the look of and give it a shot

Another thing you could try is to do the An Post Rebel Tour 50k route from last month. There's a google map here. If you try it and feel you won't be able to complete you can always take a short cut and cut out part of the bottom of the route.

bogmanfan

Agree with the above, I have a Trek 7200fx and it did me fine for over a year. Just make sure you keep the tyres properly inflated and you'll be able to go at a fair old clip. I would definitely recommend picking up a pair of cycle shorts though. Your ass will thank you for it. There's a cycling sale in Aldi tomorrow, which would probably be worth a look. For tops etc, I just wear a football jersey over a thermal base layer, which does the job fine.
Nice time of year to be cycling I find, as the temp is cool enough that you won't sweat too much, but not so cold that you need tights

CorkonianRebel

Stupid question I know but what are Drop Bars?

Hail 2 Da Thief

CorkonianRebel wrote: »

Stupid question I know but what are Drop Bars?

Drop bar handlebars

jinkypolly

I would say 2 very important things would be the cycling shorts and a decent floor pump, you wont get your tyres up to their required pressure with a small hand pump. I have this on that you can get at Halfords. http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_178303_langId_-1_categoryId_212494

By the way you don't NEED gloves. Just another thing would be don't worry about what others think how your bike or your clothing look just do your own thing and get cycling.

puppetmaster

Welcome to the wonderful world of "jesus i never noticed that hill before"

I started off on the exact same bike, Great little runner and did me for a year, might even still be on it if the cycle to work didnt crop up.

As others have said i reckon shorts/cycle pants. should be your first purchase (basically something with seat padding). I as for tops etc if you dont wana be breaking the bank in the begining I found some great clima cool sorta tops in TK max. Bright high vis ones that keep the sweat off nicely. Once you catch the bug fully there will be no holding back on what you get.

As for how far to cycle and where I think thats all down to your fitness level, when i started 8k was a bloody chore never realised how unfit i had become. but once you break through a couple of those first cycles you will be amazed at how quickly you will progress. Get on the saddle and cycle and see what feels right for you (dont forget you gotta cycle home too )

Mostly though I reckon, Enjoy it.

CorkonianRebel

jinkypolly wrote: »

I would say 2 very important things would be the cycling shorts and a decent floor pump, you wont get your tyres up to their required pressure with a small hand pump. I have this on that you can get at Halfords. http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_178303_langId_-1_categoryId_212494

Thanks to all who replied! Its weird as I was in Halfords today and got both cycling shorts and the pump you mentioned ! I had not even seen your post until now so its just (dumb) luck! I have only just realised as you said that my tyres have never been inflated properly ever !!

CorkonianRebel

Just a quick follow up.I was pumping up my tyres with my new pump (yay!!!) and it says 40-60 psi on the tyres.I presume they are minimum and maximum pressures but I'm wondering what is the difference? Is it important to use 40 or 60? Or is it once the pressure is between them its fine?

CianRyan

Yep, 40psi min' and 60psi max'.
40 will be the most comfortable but harder/slower to move where as 60 will be the least comfortable but the faster/easier of the two.
Personally, I go for the highest possible PSI as I like going fast more than I like comfort, everyone's different though.

HivemindXX

In addition to that the lower the pressure the more likely you are to get a pinch flat (when you hit a bump or pothole and the tyre flattens out and the tube gets pinched).

If you're on the heavier side I'd advise keeping to the high end of the pressure guidelines to reduce the chance of punctures.

manwithaplan

Because of more of your weight being over the rear wheel, you would usually pump that to a slightly higher pressure than the front. Rider weight is an important consideration generally - the heavier you are, the higher the pressure (staying within the min/max). If you're in and around 12st, 55 PSI in the rear and 50 PSI in the front should do you grand.

jinkypolly

Aren't those pressures (40 - 60) quite low?

HivemindXX

The fatter the tyre the lower the pressure so MTB and hybrid tyres have lower recommended pressure than road bike tyres.

For the road I'd say 40 is too low though. When using my hybrid on the road I'd tend to keep it 60-80. The tyres I recently got for my MTB actually have two sets of pressure guidelines, one for off-road and another higher one for on-road.

manwithaplan

I was surpised at that too. Usually 35mm tyres for hybrids would specify 60-80 PSI. The more 'performance-oriented' ones would be higher again. Having said that, I wouldn't be recommending to anyone that they pump to higher than the recommended pressure.