I Think I'm Cycling!!!

[Beanhead]

So after years of thinking I couldn't cycle due to my ankle I finally bought a hybrid, bigger pedals and went for it.

It kinda lay there for a week and I tried every weekend for the past few weeks; after the first few weeks of utter frustration and trying to find secluded places to practice (out of mere embarrassment), I think I'm finally getting the hang of it and you know what; I don't think I've ever gone back home with a bigger smile on my face!

I'm definitely far from perfect when riding, but I have a few issues;

• My bike has 21 gears (3 front; 7 rear) but I have no idea when to adjust, I'm keeping them constantly on 2 (front) and 1 (rear), is this correct?
• I'm fine on flat surfaces or sloping down, but struggle to get going on any slight gradient from start; is this just due to practice or gears?
• My wrists hurt like hell; am I putting too much pressure on the handlebars?
• The brakes squeal like hell; was this because it was raining/wet or as its a new bike?
• Any tips on braking/stopping?

Cheers, Beans.

 

[vickster]

I think on a triple on a hybrid, 2 and 2 works for most places

What is the bike? Braking in the wet, start early (bit like a car)

Does it have disc brakes, not sure why they would squeal otherwise?

 

[flissh]

Hi Beans, well done, sounds like you've made a good start. Can't give you any expert advice as I'm pretty new to cycling but I remember when I started gears and gear changing all seemed a bit of a mystery to me, but I got the hang of it. for me practice helped.

Same with hills. I just kept on trying. Eventually I found I was walking up less and cycling up more. There is one on a ride we often do that I call 'the wall', the other day I kept repeating to my self, when I get to the wall I'll just try to get up as far as I can, over and over, then realised I had already gone up it !!!!! Mind you I call it 'the wall' others would call it a gentle slope

 

[SWSteve]

I know how you feel, I spent a lot of time on 2 front and 2/3 back but am slowly working my way up. Just doing more and playing with them to see how they feel will definitely help, when it comes to climbs if you're struggling with a climb move down on the front and up at the back until you feel comfortable again. I'm by no means an expert but I find if I try changing then there can be a better gear available.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

So after years of thinking I couldn't cycle due to my ankle I finally bought a hybrid, bigger pedals and went for it.

It kinda lay there for a week and I tried every weekend for the past few weeks; after the first few weeks of utter frustration and trying to find secluded places to practice (out of mere embarrassment), I think I'm finally getting the hang of it and you know what; I don't think I've ever gone back home with a bigger smile on my face!

Excellent.

I'm definitely far from perfect when riding, but I have a few issues;

• My bike has 21 gears (3 front; 7 rear) but I have no idea when to adjust, I'm keeping them constantly on 2 (front) and 1 (rear), is this correct?

If it works for you, then there's nothing wrong with that gear.

As a basic guide: The gears on the front give you low, middle and high range. There are certain combinations of gear you should avoid as they cause excessive wear on the chain and the gears:
Low (small chainring) is for your serious climbing or for riding on difficult terrain. When in this gear avoid using the 3 highest gears (smallest cogs) at the rear.
Middle is for your everyday riding. On this chainring you can use all the rear gears safely.
High (big chainring) is for fast riding. In this one avoid using the 3 lowest gears (biggest cogs) at the rear.

Choosing when to change gear is as simple as when it feels right for you. Just change gear so that you are always pedalling at a comfortable rate.

• I'm fine on flat surfaces or sloping down, but struggle to get going on any slight gradient from start; is this just due to practice or gears?

  This is just a case of being in a gear that suits you. If you are really struggling, you could try low range for hill starts.

• My wrists hurt like hell; am I putting too much pressure on the handlebars?

  Not sure on this as it could be one of several things. The saddle may need adjusting for example.

• The brakes squeal like hell; was this because it was raining/wet or as its a new bike?

  Rim brakes or disc brakes. If rim brakes, they can often squeal quite badly when wet (mine do ). This can be reduced or eliminated by adjusting the blocks. You might find this article by Sheldon Brown helpful.

• Any tips on braking/stopping?

  Not sure what you mean? What problems are you having?

 

[biggs682]

have you tried going to see your Local Bike Shop for some setting up advise ?

or better still next time you see a fellow cyclist out local to you stop them and ask if they would be able to help with some of your questions and i should most of us would , as a lot of your questions would be answered easier upon seeing bike and yourself .

wish you were nearer to me , i would be glad to help

 

[Emmaroid]

Hi there and well done for persevering!

I am VERY new to cycling too and my wrists hurt too at first but I seem to be getting the hang of it now, although i'm still not totally sure why they sometimes hurt.... I thought about popping into a bike shop to see if I am positioned properly! Would feel a bit silly but hey, needs must!

Re: the gears, i'm getting there and it is a case of practising!

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[HLaB]

I'm definitely far from perfect when riding, but I have a few issues;

• My bike has 21 gears (3 front; 7 rear) but I have no idea when to adjust, I'm keeping them constantly on 2 (front) and 1 (rear), is this correct?

• I'm fine on flat surfaces or sloping down, but struggle to get going on any slight gradient from start; is this just due to practice or gears?

A lot of people with a tripple stay in the middle (2); I like to stay in the outer (3) but dont let that influence you; the middle is more universal. You want to be in a higher gear on the flat though so you feel the benefit of shifting down at a hill; try going to 3 or 4 or even more on the flat and move up the gog (Lower gears towards 1) as you encounter a hill.

• My wrists hurt like hell; am I putting too much pressure on the handlebars?

It might just be you are new to riding and you're body needs to get use to it or it may be down to fit its too hard to say without seeing you/the bike.

• The brakes squeal like hell; was this because it was raining/wet or as its a new bike?

The brakes probably just need toed in but that's always the case with some cheap pads;

• Any tips on braking/stopping?

Use the back brake (left lever if the bike is set up to UK) to control regulate your speed and whilst still holding it then
use the front (right UK) to actually stop; its much more powerful.

A good lbs should be able to help with every issue.

 

[matthat]

Congrats Beanhead!! You've got the bug now so just keep peddling and you'll go far!! literally!!

 

[snorri]

I can only second the advice from biggs682.
People on here can always be relied upon to give sound advice but when it comes to gears I think you will find that subject easier to understand when explained to you by someone standing beside you and your bike, rather than you trying to interpret written information.

 

[Beanhead]

Thanks guys, reading some of the posts on here has really motivated me.

It's a Trek T30 2012 Hybrid, doesn't have disc brakes; rim brakes. The issue I have with braking is that I started to try to cycle with the seat in the lowest position and hence able to use my feet if I looked off balance and was gonna topple over. Now its at the correct height, I can't use my feet and in turn (embarrassingly) will brake and it all goes a bit Pete Tong.

I definitely need to find my LBS; although Evans have been great so far.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

As the above re which gears are which, but don't labour up a hill, change down so you are pedalling at the same rate in a lower gear as you would in a higher gear on the flat, if that means using the small front chain ring (1 on the shifter) use it, dont be put off by it being called the granny ring, gears are there to be used so you can optimise your power output without overtaxing yourself, you will find over time as your muscles and fitness tone up, that you will start and use higher gears for the same stretch of road.

 

[Beanhead]

Yeah thanks Nigel.

I mean I drive and fully understand how they're meant to work but I guess I'm not yet used to using and changing them whilst cycling.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The issue I have with braking is that I started to try to cycle with the seat in the lowest position and hence able to use my feet if I looked off balance and was gonna topple over. Now its at the correct height, I can't use my feet and in turn (embarrassingly) will brake and it all goes a bit Pete Tong.

The secret with this is to put your weight onto the pedals as you slow and just step down to the ground as you stop. It's easier to do than to describe and once you've done it, say 3 or 4 times, you'll hardly have to think about it.

 

[Saluki]

If your feet are turning the pedals, you are most definitely cycling Welcome to the club

Keep practicing and you will find that it gets easier and easier.