The Basics for a Basic.

[Featherlegs]

Okay I turned 40 last week and my lovely friend got me a bike whoop whoop. Only problem is that Ive never ever had a bike before and havnt ridden a bike since I was about 10.

My bike is a pink Octane Breeze Road Model.

We met on Saturday to go for a bike ride, or basically to see if I could at least get on it.
Apart from the Saddle being too high and boy oh boy is my seat suffering because of that. I didnt have any tools so had to wait till I got home.
I just wanted to ask for some really, really basic help.
I have gears on both my left and right hands, totally lost. Am I right in thinking turn down to no.1 to go up hills and 3 on a flat???
What to use to go down hill?
Do I have to use both sets of gears?

I need to buy a pump, a stand, bottle holder and a lock. (I have a helmet).
Can I attach a stand to my bike, is it straight forward? (Bike hasnt got one)
Can I attach a bottle holder? (bike hasnt got one)
If I buy pump do I need to know what size attachment?
Should I buy a punture kit or just wait and see when I get a puncture?
Do I need to buy some tools?
My bum is absolutely killing still, shall I just keep trying rather than getting a gel seat because when I used to do spinning I was fine after the 3rd class?


Oh my, its a different world this bike malarkey.
We went for a lovely ride on the cycle paths at the beach for about 7 miles and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I know these are EXTREMELY basic questions but Ive always come from a bike free family till now so havnt the foggiest.
Any help would be much appreciated but could you not talk in bike terms please, its all gobbledygook to me. Thanks.

 

[ttcycle]

quick answer- do get a puncture repair kit - will be useful:

Are you able to get a photo of the bike up - helps with answering the other questions- in the meantime I'll google the bike and see if I can get a better idea.

and Welcome to the forum!!

PS - Gel seat is a bad idea- the gel will irritate you more so and doesn't help at all.

 

[ttcycle]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Octane-Breeze-Womens-Road-Bike/dp/B003ARSO94

hmmm doesn't really tell me much

the stand should be straight forward and a bottle cage looks like it may fit on the bike - you just need a spanner that fits on those two bolts (braziers I think they're called) on the tuibe that slopes down-loosen them and then put the bottle cage in place and replace the bolts and tighten up.

If you have trouble with this; you can always take it up to the local bike shop.

I'm not familiar with the gears on your bike but I think the L one is for the chainset - if you look a the bit where the pedals are there if I;m getting it right from the picture are two maybe three rings of different sizes-The L should usualyl control these - the smaller sized chainring will be better for hills. The R hand one is for a range of gears changed through the casette which is what you see on the back wheel. Never having owned a bike with shifters like this I'm not sure what direction changes in what way...someone will be along to help with that soon no doubt.

As with the seat, sometimes getting the right saddle can take a long time to figure out- try adjusting it so that it lines up with your hip (there are really complex ways to work out seat height but lets start simple) when you pedal there shouldn't be a 45degree bend but a more relaxed shape in the leg...good way to tell is when you push the pedal all the way back with your heel resting back on it; your leg should be straight. Someone may be able to describe it a bit better.

You will get used to being in the saddle - 2 weeks it took me but that was commuting daily - it's where you're resrting your weight on the sitbones in your bum- will take time to adjust- probably worth looking into other saddle options rather than a gel cover.

Enjoy!

 

[Dayvo]

This seems to have just about everything you need at the moment: http://zenhabits.net/beginners-guide-to-cycling/

But ask away! Combined, we make a pretty (?) knowledgeable group!

Welcome to the foum, BTW!

 

[fossyant]

The right hand gear lever works the back sprockets, and the left one works the front. Aim to pedal between 80 and 100 rpm - not too slowly. If you are finding the gear hard work, change up to an easier one, if too easy, then down to a harder gear. The right hand shifter controls the closer gears so a change isn't much difference. The left shifter controls the big chain rings at the front, so shifting to the bigger one is harder work - ideal for going down hill.

Just keep practising. We've just sold my wife's old 10 speed bike to a lady, and she was a bit confused with just the ten gears, but she, like you, will get it sorted.

 

[Sittingduck]

Hello

Welcome to CC - my remarks are inline below.

Cheers,
SD

Okay I turned 40 last week and my lovely friend got me a bike whoop whoop. Only problem is that Ive never ever had a bike before and havnt ridden a bike since I was about 10.

My bike is a pink Octane Breeze Road Model.

We met on Saturday to go for a bike ride, or basically to see if I could at least get on it.
Apart from the Saddle being too high and boy oh boy is my seat suffering because of that. I didnt have any tools so had to wait till I got home.
I just wanted to ask for some really, really basic help.
I have gears on both my left and right hands, totally lost. Am I right in thinking turn down to no.1 to go up hills and 3 on a flat???
The small ring (down by the pedals) is better for hills and the largest ring is better for faster riding or downhill.
What to use to go down hill?
Depends on the hill and the situation, eg. open country road at 6am and nothing around or busy street in town. Go as fast or as slow as you feel comfortable. Give the legs a rest and freewheel a bit. The big ring (at the front by the pedals) and smaller cog (at the back by the wheel) is the fastest combination, if you are feeling like going for it!
Do I have to use both sets of gears?
Not really - a lot of the time people leave the front gear in one ring and just adjust the back cogs (the gear lever is probably on the right side of the handlebars for these).

I need to buy a pump, a stand, bottle holder and a lock. (I have a helmet).
Can I attach a stand to my bike, is it straight forward? (Bike hasnt got one)
Not sure on this one... haven't fitted a stand to a bike before.
Can I attach a bottle holder? (bike hasnt got one)
Yes - its pretty simple. Neccessary too, I'd suggest - you will need to keep hydrated when you start doing longer rides (which will come soon enough!)
If I buy pump do I need to know what size attachment?
Quite often the mini pumps have both types of fitting (Schrader - for fatter tyres like Mountain bikes or Presta - for road bikes and thinner tyres). Check with the bike shop, tha the pump will work on your tubes?
Should I buy a punture kit or just wait and see when I get a puncture?
What's that I heard you cry... something about a stable door? The answer is YES!
Do I need to buy some tools?
Yep - a multi tool (a few allen keys that fold together like a pen knife) and tyre levers are a must.
My bum is absolutely killing still, shall I just keep trying rather than getting a gel seat because when I used to do spinning I was fine after the 3rd class?
Stay with it for a while... you will get more used to sitting in the saddle as you ride more. I would suggest a cheap couple of pairs of padded cycling shorts will be another must have! Try Decathlon (they do them for about 7 quid and theyre not bad). Saddles are a funny business and very personal to the rider. Soft gel articles do not always equate to comfort, in the long term though!

Oh my, its a different world this bike malarkey.
We went for a lovely ride on the cycle paths at the beach for about 7 miles and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I know these are EXTREMELY basic questions but Ive always come from a bike free family till now so havnt the foggiest.
Any help would be much appreciated but could you not talk in bike terms please, its all gobbledygook to me. Thanks.

 

[Bicycle]

Saddle:

Do get the saddle height sorted ASAP. It is fundamental to getting the most out of riding, not damaging joints and not getting a sore backside.


"I need to buy a pump, a stand, bottle holder and a lock. (I have a helmet)."

Get a pump. Not sure why people like stands, but if you like them, get one. Bottle holder (cage) and lock are a good idea. There are two allen bolts on the long diagonal tube on your frame. They are a set distance apart and most bottle cages and pump brackets fit onto them.

Your LOcal Bike Shop (LBS) will sell you or fit for you a stand.

"If I buy pump do I need to know what size attachment?"

You need to know which valve type you have, Schraeder (car) or not. Many pumps can be adapted to fit both. Tyre pressure is important, although getting it to the exact psi is not really important... LBS can tell you what you need to know.

"Should I buy a punture kit or just wait and see when I get a puncture?"

They are cheap. I'd be inclined to buy one and learn how to use it. There is no smoke or mirror involved. Best to learn by watching someone else and having a go. Thumbs are important when repairing a tube. The rest is guesswork and luck.

"Do I need to buy some tools?"

Probably yes, and learn what is for what and how to use it. If you can make the learning process fun, it is much easier. This is the Mary Poppins philosophy. Don't go overboard on tools at first.


"My bum is absolutely killing still, shall I just keep trying rather than getting a gel seat because when I used to do spinning I was fine after the 3rd class?"

Before spending dosh I'd make sure the seat you have is set up right (height, level and fore/aft). Buying a new saddle can be quite a minefield and you'll know better whether you really need one in a few months... sounds silly, but you may find it's true.


"I know these are EXTREMELY basic questions but Ive always come from a bike free family till now so havnt the foggiest."

No worries, this forum is for just that. Although we all like to deny it, everyone was once a beginner. Not me, of course, but everyone else.

Congratulations on getting stuck in. That's where everyone started. Take it gently, enjoy it and it will get better and better.

 

[fungus]

Just my personal choices:
Pump: Topeak pocket rocket http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-pocket-rocket-master-blaster-pump/or Topeak race rocket http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-race-rocket-hpx-master-blaster-road-pump/
Tools: Park tyre levers & glueless patches http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-puncture-kit-with-tyre-levers/Crank brothers Multitool http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crank-brothers-17-function-multi-tool/& a spare inner tube or 2
Saddlebag: There are loads you just need something big enough to fit your tools & tubes in
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/saddle-bags/
Bottle holder: Lifeline basic http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-basic-bottle-cage/Looking at a pic of your bike there are bottle cage mounts on the lower down tube (the one with Breeze on it) If you want a bottle cage I have 2 in the shed going spare, send me your address & I'll post one to you.
Lock: depends on what you want to carry around I just use a basic lock more as a visual deterrent than anything else.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bike-locks/

It should be easy enough to fit a stand if you want one.


BTW I do not work for wiggle it's just easy to find & post links from there, before buying anything check the web for the best prices

 

[Arch]

Welcome to the forum, and cycling!

I think people have covered your answers, but I'd add, go out and find a quiet place (a bike path or quiet residential roads) and play for a bit. Stick the front gears on the middle ring, and ride along changing the rear gears to get a feel for what makes ridng feel easier and what makes it harder. Then leave the rear gears on a middle setting, and change the front changer, and feel the difference. Ideally your feet should spin round easily, at about 80-90 rpm (that's less than a second per foot revolution). Changing gear allows you to maintain a steady cadence, going up or down hill.

Get a punture kit, and look up how to remove a tube and fix it, online or in a book, and then have a practice, at home, before you need to do it for real. If you can find a friendly local cyclist, get them to give you a masterclass. And if you go any distance, carry a spare tube, and if you get a flat, just swap the tube, and fix the punctured one in comfort at home.

Give your saddle a chance, but do you have padded shorts? That makes a big difference. If you don't want the full lycra look, you can get baggy shorts with padded inserts, or even padded briefs that you can wear under your normal clothes - trousers, shorts or skirt. The padding helps, and they are designed not to have seams that could rub in sensitive places.

(and I find a stand helpful, I have one on my winter bike, but not my lighterweight summer bike, and every year when I swap them over, I remember how handy the stand is, as I struggle to hold the bike up and unlock the gate at work...)

The main thing is, enjoy it all. You've started at just the right time as the weather gets nice.

 

[TVC]

Welcome Featherlegs.

As was noted above, do you live near a Decathlon? You definitely must be near a bike shop. Just take your ride in and ask them to help you sort out the bits you need. Let them know your budget and they will pick out the best value stuff they have. You will soon work out that if you can but a basic pump from Asda for £2.99 and they start showing you £25 Mini-pumps then something is wrong, but this won't happen, cycle shop guys are all very freindly.

Enjoy your ride.

 

[g00se]

When you pick a bike shop to go to, choose a local independent one if you can - rather then a big halfords type chain. The kama points will keep the puncture fairy away.

 

[biggs682]

featherlegs let us know where you are based and i bet somebody on here will come and help get you going , have fun and enjoy it

 

[EdgEy]

With the gears, you generally want to be in the highest gear (as in, hardest to pedal) you can, while still being able to keep up 90rpm+ comfortably (that's 90 full revolutions of the pedal ring per minute).

You can judge it well without timing it really, once it feels like the pedals have no resistance at all and you're just bouncing around, you probably need to be in a higher gear.

It's hard to get used to at first, cause it psychologically feels like you're going "slow" if the pedals are too easy to push. But stick with it!