Another Newbie and more questions

[marooncat]

Hi All

I have been cycling to work for the past three summers, but this summer I have really started to get into cycling and try and get out most weekends for a longer ride (it is about a 11 mile round trip to my work).

Anyhow I have a couple of "silly" questions that I hope the more experienced guys on here can help with

1) I cycle in trainers with "normal" pedals so no cleats or toe clips etc. What part of my foot should I have on the pedal. I am sure that it should be the ball of my foot but whenever I cycle I seem to end up with more the middle of my foot that is in contact with the pedal. Any thoughts? (I am not looking for advice to get cleats or anything at the moment just trying to get my possition on the bike right :?

2) Is there any etiquite over where you can or can not lock your bike up to? eg I have a doctors appointment one morning next week and might cycle there and into work. There is no bike rack or anything there and from a quick glance yesterday I think the only thing I could use would be a lamp post in the carpark.

3) What is the best way of cleaning the cogs on my gears? Or rather getting the mud that seems to get stuck on them off? At the moment I seem to end up using my nails to scrap it off as even using brushes it will not shift. Do I just have really sticky mud or is there a trick to this?

Thanks for any help....

 

[Crackle]

Welcome Marooncat :?: , not that I've ever seen a maroon cat before but we digress....

1) I think most people would use the ball of their foot or just behind/front of the ball, certainly that's how cleats would be set up. It's quite dificult to keep your feet in this position without clip or cleats though. I presume you're not sure about using cleats yet. You could start off gently with something like these and a pair of stiff soled bike shoes. They are easy to get out of and will make a profound difference to your cycling.

2) I generally look for some railings I can put the bike over and then chain it to the railings. I'd also look to take off the front wheel and chain it to the back if it was Quick release. I think so long as your not chaining it to someones garden fence then using available street furniture is OK.

3) Ah the perennial question. You'll find lots of chain cleaning advice about not all of it good. Generally you need something like a J-cloth and a good quality lube (not WD-40 or 3 in 1). The theory is you apply the lube and run the chain through the cloth to remove the muck. Repeat until it runs clear. For rear cassettes, I personally use Muc-off and stiff thin parc tool cassette brush. Just spray and rub.

 

[wlc1]

1) the ball of your foot - but just get clips and cleats... it's soooo much easier and more efficient.

2) Anything, just make sure it's locked properly.... through the frame and both wheels with a good quality lock.

3) Jesus - that sound like tar not mud.... er, ever tried Fenwicks. I swear by the stuff.

Welcome and well done for getting on the bike.

 

[Danny]

Welcome. Don't be afraid to ask questions - some of us have been riding for many years and still raise silly questions.

Largely agree with what Crackle and wlc1 say - but would add...

1. Stiff soled shoes are much better than trainers. You can get some leisure cycling shoes that look pretty much like trainers, which you can use with or without cleats. I would definitely consider fitting some half toe clips like Crackle suggests or even full toe clips - they'll keep you foot in the right position and make your cycling more efficient. Cleats are more efficient still, but in my experience take more getting used to then toe clips.

2. Locking bikes to railings, lamp posts, etc, is generally fine so long as you are not going to obstruct the pavement or cause any damage. It's mostly a case of applying common sense.

3. Some hot soapy water ought to get the mud off your cogs. Most people use washing up liquid, but purists use car shampoo on the grounds that washing up liquid has small traces of salt in it.

 

[tdr1nka]

......purists use car shampoo on the grounds that washing up liquid has small traces of salt in it.

I can't taste the difference, personally.:?:

 

[marooncat]

Thanks for the replies and welcome...

Regarding the toe clips, I assume it is an easy enough job to attach them to the pedals? I will have a look and see about getting a set as well as looking into proper cycling shoes. I do not feel brave enough to try cleats at the moment.. but after using toe clips I might get my confidence up to try them.

 

[Danny]

Whether you can fit toe clips depends on the pedals you have. Basic plastic pedals probably won't a fixing point. You need something like this which has two holes in the plate between the pedalling surfaces, or if you want something more fancy this.

 

[marooncat]

From reading various threads on here and other things on line I am thinking these shoes might be an option – if I understand it right I can use these with cleats if/when I get brave enough to try them - MT31

http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/products/MT31.aspx

Unfortunately they do not seem to do toe clips (or rather pedals and toe clips as I guess my pedals will be the basic plastic ones so need new pedals as well) but I will get them from Edinburgh bikes (that is where my bike came from) or something- I am trying to get the shoes at a decent price at the moment as the pedals seem to be about the same cost from most places

Anyhow, I have some clothing queries now…

I am needing a waterproof hi viz jacket having discovered the hard way the other night that my existing one resembles a sieve more than a jacket!! Was thinking of this one (worth pointing out I am a girl but need to get gent’s sizes till the diet works a bit more!!!)

http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk//Products/Pursuit_Waterproof_Jacket.aspx

I currently cycle in a “running” T shirt which I find is great for keeping me dry (much better than a normal T shirt but that also could be due to me getting a lot fitter than I was so sweating less), but think I am going to need either another layer or a thicker T shirt for winter. I was looking at the “base layers” on the website but am guessing they are just going to be the same material as the T shirts I have at the moment – ie quite thin. Any suggestions about what I could get, don’t want to spent to much money on it.

Cheers

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Take a look here :-) http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...f_SupersetQRY=Kpedals&f_SortOrderID=-1&f_bct=

Unfortunately they do not seem to do toe clips (or rather pedals and toe clips as I guess my pedals will be the basic plastic ones so need new pedals as well) but I will get them from Edinburgh bikes (that is where my bike came from) or something- I am trying to get the shoes at a decent price at the moment as the pedals seem to be about the same cost from most places

 

[marooncat]

Went out for ride this afternoon (just over 15 miles in 1hr 12 mins which is good for me ) and really tried to concentrate on keeping the pedals on the balls of my feet. When I was doing it right I really felt that I was getting a good rhythm going and that might be one of the reasons for the decent time I did.

I have just had a look on ebay and there are a couple of pedals with clips there and I have put a bid on on one of them... If I do not get them I will just buy them on line but the bid I have put in saves a few pennies!!

Used car wash when cleaning the bike today (and lots of muc off - think I had not been using enough before) and that seemed to shift the mud easier. Just a pity that most of it seemed to jump onto the front bumper of BF car which was parked in the drive near when I was doing my bike and had just been washed so I had to do a quick wash of that as well!!

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

A Park tools cyclone cleaning system is what I use on the chain every couple of weeks or so, and the best item I have found for cleaning the cassette mechanism is a toilet brush [Wilko 3 for £1].
Really hot water with Stardrops seems to shift the muck better than a lot of the bespoke cycle products, should be rinsed off & properly dried before applying decent lube to chain etc...

 

[Fab Foodie]

Baby-wipes here for chain and cog cleaning.

 

[Noodley]

Baby-wipes here for chain and cog cleaning.

Yep, no better or easier way to clean a chain and cogs IMO.

 

[marooncat]

Baby-wipes here for chain and cog cleaning.

I have got heaps of these as I use them for a "wash" when I get to work and went a wee bit OTT with buying them when they were on special offer a while ago. Will try them next time...

I have got something similar to what I think you are meaning Andrew (Chain Cleaner) but do not get on with it at all, find whenever I use it I end up covered in mucky water!!

 

[Crackle]

Baby-wipes here for chain and cog cleaning.

Yep, no better or easier way to clean a chain and cogs IMO.

So I'm not the only one who carried on buying them when the kids grew up. And it's true I've used to clean my chain too