Complete Newbie converting from running.

[JJ28]

Hi all,

Totally new to this forum, so please be kind.

Need some help. Been running for about a year (c25 miles per week), and getting to feel it in my bones. I am now 39 and weigh 77k. Looking to change to 70% biking and 30% running / gym work. Running has been great, but looking for something that is low impact as getting too many injuries in me feet and lower legs.

What I need is some help on a bike. My last bike was about 10 years ago. A mountain bike, heavy thing with front suspension. How things have changed!

I was looking at a Hybrid Bike, as I will be road cycling. But reading elsewhere someone recommended a race bike (is that right?) with dropped handlebars. But what is the right way to go? I have a Garmin forerunner that I will also be using for my cadence, heart rate and other monitoring.

Also, what about other equipment? Is it compulsory to wear lycra shorts these days?

Not sure how good I will be, but would be good to do a couple of amateur races.\

Any help would be a great assistance.

Thanks

 

[Peter10]

Best bet is to go into a bike shop and see what feels comfortable for you. When I was looking recently, people recommended a hybrid, but I ended up getting a road bike (with dropped handles) as it felt more comfortable, faster and if I needed to sit upright the handlebars can do that also. I'm glad I didn't go for the hybrid now, the "race" bike was definitely the right choice for me.

In regards to gear; you will never see me in the lycra kit. One; I can't pull it off, two; my work colleagues will laugh at me for the rest of my life and three; it's just not "me." I wear mountain bike trousers (have one set of baggy and one a little lighter for my main rides) and some cycling tops which doesn't scream "CYCLIST" when you see me. if you are looking at doing races, I'm sure people would recommend the lycra kit which probably will help. Don't get me wrong, some or most of guys here proudly don their lycra kits day in day out (power to them) but as a 14 stone, stocky rugby player, it would be a horror show .

If you are looking at doing amateur racing, the drop bar racing bike will also probably be of more use to you. The main question is, how much distance would you be looking at covering (such as your commute or how far would you be wanting to go on training rides?) and what's your budget?

 

[slugonabike]

I'm also a refugee from running, had to give up due to foot injuries. I'm very much a cycling newbie so please feel free to disregard anything I say

Firstly, don't expect your running fitness to neccessarily translate into cycling fitness. Your CV fitness will stand you in good stead but you still need to build up your cycling muscles.

As to your bike, it depends really on what you want it to do. My hybrid handles general road stuff and will also happily take me onto forestry trails and heathland. If I wanted to do much of either I think I would want a specific bike though. I have back problems and have raised my bars so that I have a more upright position, at my age and general fitness the loss of speed isn't really an issue!

I've found that cycling is just like running in many ways. Some peeps will happily wear everyday gear with no problems, others want all the lycra. Certainly, having worn technical fabrics whilst running, I am more comfy on the bike in tech tops at least - I hide the padded shorts under my trousers. I've found much of my redundant running gear is perfectly OK on the bike.

Happy cycling!

 

[jay clock]

you really need to get into triathlon.......

 

[Globalti]

Go for the road bike, you will love the speed, the efficiency and the thrill of riding it.

 

[StuartG]

Road bike is the way. Choose an audax style if distance/comfort is your object, straight racing bike if speed is of the essence. They look very similar but audax has a more relaxed geometry and a tourer even more plus stronger frames.

All in all an audax style is a good compromise. Spend a grand if you can but £500 should get you something decent that will wet your appetite for more ... you have been warned!

Riding a great bike does to the brain what endorphins do for running ...

BTW good choice in taking up cycling. I'm over sixty and a member of a running club where all my contempories are broken men and women and slower than me. Whereas in my cycling club even the over seventies are ridiculously fit and can still burn me in comfort. Running provides ultimate aerobic fitness but cycling puts in the miles and stamina. Combining the two to reduce impact injury risk is the way to a long, happy and healthy lifestyle.

 

[StuartG]

The gear is as important as running. Indeed there is some crossover. I am a devotee of Helly Hensen Lifa baselayers. That's the most expensive thing I buy. Most of the rest I get from Lidls. You have just missed their late summer autumn sale (unless you get down there today/tomorrow). Tops for £5.99 (long backs to cover the kidneys and below when perched forward) plus cycling tights for about £8.99. Not the greatest cycling kit in the universe but in a different league from trying to cycle in jeans and a a T-Shirt. Don't do that if you plan to cycle further than the local shop ... see other threads in the 'commuting' section.

 

[PpPete]

Certainly not compulsory, but lycra is the way to go.... even if, at 88kgs, I look ridiculous in it.
If you are running 25 miles/week you can probably get up to 100 miles/150 miles per week quite easily as soon as your muscles have adapted to the different motion. And at that distance shorts with a decent pad in the seat are important IMO.

Echo the sentiment to get a relatively modest audax bike to start.... alu frame/carbon forks.... but be assured your "stable" will surely grow.

Later you will also "NEED":
Triathlon bike, Track bike, "best" Road Bike, Touring bike, hardtail MTB, full sus MTB, tandem, 'bent etc etc

 

[Willo]

I too started cycling a bit more seriously after a few injuries too many in my lower legs from running (including a long lay-off following an achilles injury). For what it's worth from my experience:

- I went for a road bike mainly as it inspires me to get out. I went for an entry level Specialized Allez and love it. However, do sit on a few and go for a test spin if at all possible.

- Do allow some budget for extras. Pedals, upgrade of tyres, clipless shoes if you go that way after a while, clothing etc.

- Re lycra, from my experience, I'd say padded shorts are pretty essential whether you go lycra (which I use for the weekend, ooh err) or lined baggy shorts which I wear for commuting. I basically splashed the cash on some comfy SPD shoes, a decentish pair of well padded shorts (£40) and then cheapo Lidl cycling tops (do use HH running tops but have found pockets on cycling jerseys handy for food, phone, cash etc.) Obviously with colder months looming you will need to think about some winter gear..

- In terms of the fitness side, it's worked out well for me. Downside is that with limited time I find it difficult to get the same intensity as with running. However, I try to balance running/gym with some shorters commute rides in the week, with longer rides at the weekend if time permits

Generally, I now enjoy the cycling more than running although must admit last winter ground me down a bit with dark, wet and icy roads leading me back into the gym by January. All the best and am sure you'll enjoy adding the cycling to your exercise.

 

[JJ28]

Thanks for the great replies.

I think I am 90% going for a road bike. Just need to persuade the other half.

One last question though. What speed / cadence should I be looking at.

I know with running a good pace for me is 4:30 mins per KM is an average pace for me. But how do I gauge cycling? What is an acceptable MPH / Cadence?

Thanks again

J

 

[Willo]

Thanks for the great replies.

I think I am 90% going for a road bike. Just need to persuade the other half.

One last question though. What speed / cadence should I be looking at.

I know with running a good pace for me is 4:30 mins per KM is an average pace for me. But how do I gauge cycling? What is an acceptable MPH / Cadence?

Thanks again

J

As a relatively newbie to road cycling, I'm probably not best placed to answer on mph etc., but am finding myself averaging around 14.5-15 mph over say 20 miles or so riding on my own over routes with a few hills. That's prob fairly slow compared to others, but I'm not too gung-ho on descents and am fairly cautious in traffic etc. To give some perspective, I'm 41 and around the same weight as you and would typically run around 4 min 30/km over 5k and closer to 5 min/km over 10k when fit. I don't monitor cadence.

Obviously there are many variables to average speed, so suppose my advice would be just to get out and when used to your new bike start to take note of your average speed and then monitor whether you're improving over your routes.

I too use a Forerunner for my running. I did get the cadence add-on for my bike but couldn't get it working after trying 2 (however, have found the footpod for running excellent). I had to get a refund on the cadence sensor and now use a cateye cycle computer which does the job perfectly. Maybe just unlucky as others have positive reviews.

 

[StuartG]

I run a bit faster than you but I sure pedal slower in comparison. Probably because I don't see a direct comparison between running and cycling. Running is exercise and very little else. Yes you do get a buzz from the endorphins but your ability to enjoy the environment is limited (fell runners excepted).

Whereas on a bike you are covering a lot more ground and the scenery changes real fast. Hence you can IMHO enjoy it much more. So whilst a marathon is 3 to 4 hours and totally knackering - it is possible to cruise for 12 hours enjoying practically every minute of it - not to mentions stops for cake and ale. You actually get more if less intensive exercise and you vary it. I don't pedal downhills saving energy for the ups. That's what you do for distance. Racers do it different.

You need to decide what style of cycling you will enjoy, racing, day rides, touring - cadences etc will follow as a consequence. Cycling clubs are friendly and when you have developed your cycling fitness a bit - most will welcome you as a guest on their club rides for a few weeks. Try different clubs, find what you like and get the benefit of years of experience and wisdom embedded in all clubs ...

 

[Crankarm]

First consider what you want from your bike. If you go for a full on road bike I bet in 3 months time you will want to fit a rack which will be impractical and so uncool ......................... So maybe get an audax or lightweight tourer so cycling can be part of your everyday commute.

Second the techical stuff you ask about speed/cadence/HRM ............... buy a cycling computer.

Thirdly, you didn't wear Lycra when running? Why not? It is extremely light and wicks away sweat keeping one dry, hence why cyclists and runners wear it.

Fourth join a cycling club.

Five don't give up running altogether as running a couple of times a week keeps all your muscles developed. Cyclists may be very fit but they are as fragile as butterflies. As a result they can suffer from osteoporosis if they don't do other exercise for much of their life. Running greatly increases bone density.

 

[jeltz]

Totally agree with the suggestion to join a cycle club. There will almost certainly be current and veteran racers who can advise you "face to face" the best way to progress, but initially I wouldn't be too caught up in cadence just enjoy yourself and let yourself adapt a little then look at tweaking your riding style.

Average speeds are also a bit of an odd one. I live on the edge of the Mendips and have various circuits that I ride which are about 20-25 miles long, due to the terrain they are all hilly. I can try to ride them hard and will be lucky to get to an average of 13mph but at the end I know I've had a real workout. However, I can also have a fairly gentle saunter around the Somerset levels averaging 14mph.

 

[bennydorano]

Another newbie here, rather than start a similar thread I thought I'd jump in and hijack this one!

Recently took up riding (have been training all summer for a sponsored ride of 85 mile next week) and have really enjoyed it and will keep it going. I'm currently on a cheapish hybrid, I'm defintely going to upgrade - my query - i have been training with a couple of other lads on road bikes and while at similar fitness levels after a bit of practising they could leave now me for dead at any stage, which I like to think is down to the quality of the bikes . If I buy a better quality hybrid could i compete with these guys assuming similar levels of fitness and that none of us are any great shakes tbh.

(I plumped for the hybrid as I do have chronic back problems, tried a couple of 20m stints on a (cr#p) road bike and could hardly walk afterwards, but the hybrid has been great in this regard. Having read a bit of this form I noticed talk of Audax? bikes - are they more forgiving on backs?)