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Original poster

Okay, I have bought a bike, any tips for a newbie?

97 replies

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 10:25

Bought a bike yesterday to commute to college, first time I had been on one since I was 12, planning to commute to college everyday on it, which is 2 miles each way, loads of hills.

I went a similar route yesterday covering 4.5 miles, omg my back and fanjo hurts! And I did have to walk up a couple of steep hills.

Does anyone have any tips? It's a cruiser bike.

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Thread gallery
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Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 21:41

I am actually so tempted to go get my arse measured now just to see if it fits LEM...

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AtYourCervix · 14/08/2014 21:45

Pretty!

Get a brookes saddle.

Does she have a name?

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 21:52

Will look up brookes saddle. Never even thought about naming a bike!

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Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 21:52

Those saddles cost more than the bike! Shock

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AtYourCervix · 14/08/2014 21:59

Comfy though.

Mine is called Bunty.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 22:06

How did you come up with a name? (I like it, it's cute and am now wondering what bike it matches to!)

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AtYourCervix · 14/08/2014 22:12

She is a Pashley Princess. I love her dearly. Named by a dear friend.

AtYourCervix · 14/08/2014 22:14

Sorry. Totally derailed thread about sore bottoms.

TalcAndTurnips · 14/08/2014 22:16

If you are on the saddle and your handlebars appear to be missing, chances are that you are facing the wrong way. Simply turn around and - hey presto, there they are.

TalcAndTurnips · 14/08/2014 22:19

Proper tip: If you wish to carry stuff, invest in decent panniers and a solid frame for attaching them.

It is amazing how little you are aware of a load when it is carried correctly - even going uphill.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 22:22

Cervix I saw that bike online earlier, very very pretty.

Talc Thanks for that advice. :o

I do need something to carry water in etc instead of in my rucksack.

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AtYourCervix · 14/08/2014 22:25

I have a pretty floral pannier bag.

It fits a surprisingly large load of wine

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 14/08/2014 22:45

I think really it's a front basket I need to keep water in and not have to reach far. :/

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catsofa · 15/08/2014 00:15

+1 for getting a pannier rack. Bungee a box on it until you can afford to shell out for bags. Suddenly you can get cat litter and special offer multipacks of beer on your way home just because you happened to be passing the shops - it's amazing how much you can carry with very little more effort.

My holidays look like this now!

Okay, I have bought a bike, any tips for a newbie?
catsofa · 15/08/2014 00:18

Bottle cage for being able to reach your water, like this (99p).

Ask them to include the bolts for bolting it to the frame - you'll see the bolt holes for it on one of the frame tubes in the middle somewhere.

iK8 · 15/08/2014 00:44

I wish I had called my bike Bunty. I have a Pashley tricycle with jaunty seats for the children but my god, it's like riding a truck and the seat makes my arse hurt. It looks very pretty though.

Perhaps if I gave it a name other than The Beast I'd ride it a bit more? I need a Bunty-esque name.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 15/08/2014 09:37

I don't think it can fit anything on the back, I googled it and it said baskets etc have to be on the front. :/

I am jealous of all you Pashley owners, they are beautiful but I imagine just as heavy to ride?

My cheapy bike is getting me on those hills, how do you manage it on such little geared bikes? Do you just get used to it?

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Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 15/08/2014 09:44

Here's a controversial question... Do you all wear a helmet? I haven't bought one yet (too skint) but would most likely be buying one tomorrow.

However, after reading up I am now a bit scared of having one as it seems that they can make an accident more likely? (peripheral vision and also car drivers perception of a cyclist wearing a helmet).

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CMOTDibbler · 15/08/2014 09:52

Yes, I always do. A friend nearly died recently in a cycling accident with no vehicles involved, and his neurosurgeon said he would have never survived without his helmet. As it was he was in a coma for weeks

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 15/08/2014 10:01

Okay, I will get my helmet tomorrow! It doesn't need to be an expensive one, does it?

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CMOTDibbler · 15/08/2014 10:07

No, just try it on if at all possible as the shape varies and some will be more comfortable for you than others

Thistledew · 15/08/2014 10:10

Get a helmet. It doesn't have to be expensive - anything sold in a shop in the UK will conform to the minimum safety standards. Price usually reflects comfort and aero dynamics, but won't make much difference to you on the amount of cycling you are currently doing.

I quite possibly owe my life to wearing a helmet. I came off my bike due to a skid caused by gravel coming down a hill. My helmet was snapped and I was out cold for about 5 mins. I also had a piece of gravel embedded flush into my helmet which otherwise would have been embedded flush into my skull.

There have been suggestions that drivers give more space to cyclists who don't wear helmets- but a) it won't make any difference to the aggressive drivers who will still be happy to crowd you and b) as in the case of my accident it is not just accidents with vehicles that you are protecting against.

Thistledew · 15/08/2014 10:18

Good luck with the hills- I promise that they do get easier.

Select your lowest gear before it starts to get hard and try to keep your pedal rate high. It is far less tiring than making big, laboured revolutions in a big gear. Sadly, I don't think it would be easy to add more gears to your bike - it would certainly involve changing lots of the components.

Standing up on the pedals will give you more power, but is hard work. You could try standing up for just one or two revolutions to start with, then add one more each week as you get stronger. Set yourself a goal to go a metre or so further up the hill each week before you have to walk, and you will be surprised at how quickly you will progress.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 15/08/2014 10:33

Okay, no doubt about buying a helmet now, thanks for sharing your experiences. :(

I've been doing 2nd gear on the bike to try the hills as I thought I would end up rolling back as the resistance is so low but I will try lowest again, need to go to nursery to pay so will try today, also need to go to college to hand forms in so we will see how/if I manage!

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AtYourCervix · 15/08/2014 10:43

Helmet - yes. Always. It's not pretty but I value my brain more than my looks.

Hills - Get easier but I push up the steep ones.