fietsbob

Looking at GCN, So you got a Road Bike?

nicetry

Yes, road bike.

berner

When I think about what is most important to me about cycling, it is paying close attention to what is going on around me, traffic wise, and anticipating situations that may lead to a collision. I live in an area friendly to cyclists but the consequences of a crash between 155 pound me and 3000 pounds of of motor vehicle would be dire or fatal. I operate on the premise that the time to solve a problem is before it is a problem.

churnman

Another vote for cadence. Don't blow your knees out trying to push too high a gear. When available ride on multi user paths. Riding without a constant fear of distracted motorists makes the experience much better.

Gresp15C

When discussing bikes on the forum, it's always hard to know if someone is mechanically inclined or not. So I don't know where you stand. But my advice is to learn as much as you can about maintenance, and equip yourself for basic tasks, such as:

0. Simply getting the wheels on and off correctly
1. Fixing a flat tire -- at home or on the road
2. Adjusting the brakes
3. At least checking out the condition of other components such as bearings, if not servicing them

Finding a buddy who does these things, or is willing to learn them with you, is helpful. The Park Tool and Sheldon Brown websites have lots of useful tutorials. And for tools, you pretty much can't go wrong with Park Tool.

So far as upgrades are concerned, tires are often a good place to start, and I'd only recommend puncture resistant types these days.

Garfield Cat

New rider: every once in a while you need to ask yourself why you are riding. And then compare that with all the other important things in your life.

Time is something that you don't have enough of.

Milton Keynes

There's been more than once out on the road, 10 or more miles from home on a bike and plodding up a hill, that I've wondered if I were crazy to be doing what I was doing.

Nstoltzner

Have fun! That is my biggest piece of advice. I am on my second season starting soon this year with some Zwifting all winter but I will tell you that I way over thought every aspect of the bike from cadence, to wheels, to you name it. I now just ride and have fun. Don't worry about mileage etc. Others will do more than you and some will do less. Also buy a bike computer because you will ultimately want to know how many miles you rode.

caloso

The Republic of Offthebackistan / A Roadie Confession

Red90

When you are a new rider, you may not have that strength and endurance conditioning. One of the hardest things to learn is to not push so hard. Dialing it down a bit and using a moderate but sustainable effort to eclipse a hill is better than grinding it too hard and burning out your muscles and lungs to the point you need to stop.

If you get to the point that you appreciate the suffering... your a road cyclist!!

Hiro11

1. Carbon will not make you faster.
2. Clip in pedals and cycling-specific shoes are not necessary if you don't like them.
3. Cycling-specific clothing exists for very good reasons but it's also not necessary (except maybe shorts and a helmet).
4. Your saddle is almost certainly too low.
5. Learn to change a flat.
6. Learn to hold your line.
7. Learn to pedal smoothly and avoid coasting. There is real technique involved in pedaling and it takes time to learn to do it properly.
8. Be overly patient with drivers and get out of their way, even if you feel you're "in the right".
9. Press fit bottom brackets suck. Learn what a press fit bottom bracket is and why it sucks.
10. Maintain your bike. Nothing crazy is necessary, just make sure everything works and lube the chain.
11. Learn the ins and outs of your shifters and derailleurs and shift gears, a lot. Too many new cyclists don't use their gears properly.
12. There is no substitute for mileage. If you want to get fit, just ride more.
13. Try different disciplines if you like the sport to vary things. MTB is very different from road cycling.
14. Once you're somewhat fit, try riding in a group, you might like it.
15. Some cyclists are terrible snobs, ignore them.
16. Don't be afraid of a slightly sore neck and back when just getting into cycling. Lots of new cyclists get a sore neck after a couple of rides and immediately raise their bars to above the saddle and leave it there. There are many benefits to a more "aggressive" position (primarily, getting weight off the saddle) and just rejecting a more "aggressive" position because it's slightly uncomfortable when you're just starting out is likely premature. Gradually working into one might make sense for you, or it might not but give it a chance.
17. Counter-intuitively, softer saddles are often less comfortable.
18. Almost any bike will do. However, a cheap department store bike is just going to annoy you if you put more than a few miles on it. Spend a bit of money if you can. Used bikes are often a great deal.
19. Buy a 3/4/5 Y allen wrench. you can tighten/fix almost anything on a bike with that one tool.
20. Cycling internet forums are often full of terrible bias and misinformation, proceed with caution.

morfeeis

don't buy white peddles, they only look good for two weeks, after that it a battle to see how quick you can trash them in order to buy new ones (like bar tape).

Just have fun ....

DomaneS5

White bar tape is awful. I don't care how nice or comfortable it is... it looks like crap after 3 rides.

Tombaatar

1. Get some nice shorts. cotton tighty whiteys will cause you lots of chaffing. Unless you are racing, or training to race, wear baggy shorts on top. (I am preparing myself to be assaulted by banana hammock aficionados.)
2. Don't sit on your taint. sit on your hip bones.
3. Don't be afraid to adjust your seat angle and forward and back until you find a position that works. but start in the middle and flat.
4. Clipless pedals and shoes that are a size larger than your street shoes.
5. Wear a helmet. Vegetables are for eating.

markwesti

Velominati ? The Rules

jack002

Cadence! If you feel like your bike is pulling you up big hills, you're doing it right. I can't be without a bike computer that tells you cadence. 90s on flats is doing well.
Carry a tube (or 2) and a pump and know how to change a flat.
Set up the bike to fit you. Start with the seat. Height, angle, front/back. Move in small amounts and start with a recommended start position.
Keep the chain lubed and do any other maintenance.
Be alert in traffic and ride on less traveled roads whenever possible.

Jbarcs

I'm another who believes in cadence. I also endorse most of what has been said already here. But the most important thing I have learned is still the hardest to practice on every ride: wave instead of gesturing. Knowing what's going on all around you all of the time is critical, of course. But remember to wave at the most obnoxious of your tormentors. Flipping them off simply rewards the unwanted behavior. Wave and wish them a nice day. Easier said than done but it does all of us the favor down the road.

nicetry

Wow thanks for all the replies guys!

I have over 170 miles on my bike currently and loving it

jdw777

+1 can be hard to learn, can be hard to be consistent, but worth it, especially on the hills.

One other thing I've relearned (back in the saddle about 6 weeks) is that cadence gets my butt unweighted a bit = less butt pain, better blood flow, less banging up and down - love that floaty feeling when I've got a good cadence.

Peace o/

wipekitty

+1. All this would have kept me riding much more often in my first years of cycling. I'd add minor derailleur adjustments as well.

Also: just ride. The more you ride, the faster and stronger you get, and the more fun it is to ride. If something doesn't feel right, change it. Minor things like saddle, saddle height, pedals, stem angle, and handlebar width can make a world of difference.

vsudhir18

train (with variety of excercise) all year long, always be ready and prepared for all weather types and be well nourished/hydrated on long/group rides

pauoos

That 15 mile ride that seemed so daunting when you were a beginner, will look like an easy warmup ride after a couple of years of experience. Stick with it, it gets easier!

Wileyrat

Crashing hurts, try not to crash.

Don't over think this stuff, it's just riding a bike. There isn't anything you can't figure out on your own, just go ride and have fun.

Fastfingaz

A subject that no one will advise on but is very important,,, practice riding in a straight line while at the same time kicking out at a 90 degree from either side in a attempt to discourage a malicious dog that is trying to chew your ankles off , I find that is very important,,,,