New to the road

[Steven bates]

Hi everyone ,
I've just recently bought my first road bike a giant defy 2 , hoping this bike will be ok for someone new to the road
Anybody got any advice

 

[numbnuts]

Always ride in primary position and don't let the motorists grind you down

 

[Paul Gee]

Use it

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Be bold, be brave, be safe and read the guide as per this thread, targeted at commutes but critical advice for anyone new to the road.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-essential-guide-for-new-commuters.56622/

Oh, and written by brilliant people ( not me)

 

[Sittingduck]

Don't be impatient - this one goes for both on the road situations and also for feeling the need to improve performance - which a lot of newbies seem obsessed with. Take time to get used to it and enjoy being out there.

Pick the gear you think feels right... and now shift down to an easier gear at least 1 more gear or even 2.

Get the saddle up to the correct height which means you should not be able to sit on the saddle and put your foot flat on the floor. Your leg should be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke.

Buy a track pump and inflate your tyres regularly to a suitable pressure - based upon tyre width.

 

[Steven bates]

Don't be impatient - this one goes for both on the road situations and also for feeling the need to improve performance - which a lot of newbies seem obsessed with. Take time to get used to it and enjoy being out there.

Pick the gear you think feels right... and now shift down to an easier gear at least 1 more gear or even 2.

Get the saddle up to the correct height which means you should not be able to sit on the saddle and put your foot flat on the floor. Your leg should be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke.

Buy a track pump and inflate your tyres regularly to a suitable pressure - based upon tyre width.

Thanks for reply , seems like its a science this lol

 

[Steven bates]

Be bold, be brave, be safe and read the guide as per this thread, targeted at commutes but critical advice for anyone new to the road.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-essential-guide-for-new-commuters.56622/

Oh, and written by brilliant people ( not me)

Thanks tony will def read the article , many thanks

 

[Gravity Aided]

You certainly have a fine bike for getting started. We were all new to the road once. Or even twice. And remember, as the scientists tell us, that the human on a bicycle is the most efficient traveler out there. Even more so than the porpoise. I don't know which bicycle these scientists were using. There is a lot of information out there to make your cycling experience the best it can be. Much of it is found here.

 

[slowmotion]

Don't jump red lights. It isn't even remotely clever.

 

[Dan B]

Always ride in primary position

Always? Really?

 

[bpsmith]

I am new here too, and got the Defy 1 recently on C2W scheme or would have got the Defy 2 instead. Great bikes!

Red light jumping has always been a bug bear of mine as a motorist, along with wrong way on one way streets. Kind of makes motorists not take cyclists seriously then, which is not good.

Absolutely loving this new hobby though, no question about it.

 

[Kies]

Excellent choice of bike - the Defy range are very good.
Time spent in the saddle is the best way to improve. Watch other road cyclist and learn road position from them. Google roadcraft and read on the forum. This place has a vast amount of information

 

[garethssmith]

Got the Defy 2 a month ago and done about 150 miles so far. A very good bike in my opinion.

Just start off slowly and build yourself up, you'll soon feel like you've been on it for years

 

[Sully]

What's the difference between the Defy 1,2,3 and 4 ?

 

[garethssmith]

Difference between 1, 2 and 3:

1 - 105
2 - Tiagra
3 - Sora

Not much else in it, same frame etc