Welcome to the Road Cycling Forum!
This is a thread to ask all those questions that you're not sure are too simple or too complicated (trouble changing tires, what certain terminology means, etc...). In here there are no stupid questions though being really clear and posting pictures will get you better answers. Questions like "Shimano, Sram, or Campagnolo?", "Bibs or Shorts?", "What's the best saddle?", however are asked often - you'll probably find the answers you need by taking advantage of the
search function (top right) first for an answer. We'll also maintain a list of quick reference links below - feel free to post others.
For veteran users this thread will be modded a bit heavier to ensure all responses are respectful to our newer members as per the
forum guidelines. Any users that violate or attempt to push those guidelines will be issued infractions without warning, as well as responses that don't attempt to answer the question (eg., "use the search") though links to relevant threads are appreciated. OT discussion will be trimmed as needed.
After you've gotten comfortable and want to post more, let me fill you in a bit on the culture in the Road Cycling world.
Road Cyclists are in general highly competitive athletes, and can be a bit rough in their humor. Sarcasm and insults can and do occur, so you're going to need a bit of a thick skin in here. They aren't meant in malice (generally). It's just their aggressive, cutting humor, often with a razors edge. Think of them as an athletic versions of George Carlin, Billy Connolly, or Chris Rock. Just like riding with a new group of cyclists, it may be a good idea to sit in the back, to get a feel for the group, before you jump into the thick of things.
Now that you've been warned about the average road cyclist, enjoy the fun, grab the gems of information here, and always remember to keep a good hold on your sense of humor. They might yell at you from time to time, but they really do generally mean it to be constructive. If you see a bit of bantering back and forth between members, it's their way of hashing out differing opinions and is usually settled with a cyber handshake.
The above does not mean the guidelines aren't in force, because in point of fact, they are, and they are
posted here (and at the top right of your screen).
Please review them to be familiar with them.
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Bike Reference:
http://sheldonbrown.com/ - Anything you need to know about bicycles
http://www.parktool.com/repair/ - Excellent mechanics site, how to on just about everything
Bike Forum Questions:
http://www.bikeforums.net/faq.php?faq=forum_guidelines - Forum Guidelines
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=329316 -
Posting Pictures
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=169 - BF News
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=160 - Forum Suggestions
Road Cycling Stickies:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=491589 - What happened to the other stickies (they're here)
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=30599 - What bike do you have?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=158981 - For Trade, NO SELLING, NO MONEY
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=385194 - RIP Sheldon Brown
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=491560 - Thread About Nothing
Bike Buying and Materials:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=435374 - How to buy a good bike
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228851 - For heavier riders (otherwise known as Clydesdales or Athenas)
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69273 - Road Bikes under $700
http://www.damonrinard.com/EFBe/frame_fatigue_test.htm - Fatigue test of Carbon Fiber vs Aluminum vs Steel
General Differences between Cyclocross / Touring / Hybrid / Road / Mtn Bikes:
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=257497 - Hybrid discussion
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=144243
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=44379
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=63027
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=9683
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_cn-z.html
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=68702
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29%22er
http://omerandbobs.com/bikes.html
http://faughnan.com/touringbike.html
http://bgcycles.com/bruce.html
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=241478 - Touring Bikes vs Racing Road Bikes (great comparisons here)
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=180433 - Newbie guide to touring
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=241679 - Triple vs Double vs Compact
Fitting your bike
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=295925 - Wrist pain
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=242143 - Specialized Seat Bone measurer
http://www.roadcycling.com/training/kneepain.shtml - Knee pain
http://wrenchscience.com/WS1/default.asp - Fit Calculator
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO - Another Fit Calculator
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/
http://www.stlbiking.com/Bike_Fits.htm
http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
http://www.bike-manual.com/om/trekbi...g_the_bike.htm
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Mechanical Issues:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=421026 - Sliding seat post
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=388349 - Truing bladed spoked wheels
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=319094 - Biodegradable degreasers
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=301139 - Pumps?
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=297423 - Caged vs Loose Balls
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=223413 - Hub overhaul
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=354190 - Grease
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=351563 - Pinned Chainrings
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=358032 - Lube
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=360017 - Rack and Fender installation
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=360334 - Measuring a bottom bracket
YouTube - 9 - Front Derailleur Adjustment - Front DR adjustment
YouTube - Bicycle Rear Wheel Installation - Easy way to put on a rear wheel
Random bike stuff:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...rash-care.html - Road Rash Aid
http://www.instructables.com/id/Very...-Your-Bike-12/ - Build a cadence monitor for <$12
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=417897 - Rechargable battery for GPS
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=359977 - More on rechargables
http://flickr.com/photos/mrwright/se...7594124441383/ - DIY Custom Frame Kit
http://www.calfeedesign.com/forksymmetry.htm - Physics of forks
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=198693 - Riding tips
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=352068 - Flat fix by tying a knot in the tube
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/rust/rust.html - dealing with rust
http://stupidhurts.org/2007/06/court...g-handle-bars/ - Wrapping Bar Tape
Tom Stormcrowe
Forum Administrator and all the Bike Forums Staff