Cycling? for dummies? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sirfeathers
- Start date
want2bdifferent
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hey long time no see 
sirfeathers
Member
yep that's what I meant. thanks a lotcrestor said:
me? no. calm down, buddynishan--- said:
sirfeathers
Member
i think i'll let that speak for itself. i'm not calling anyone "fucking retarded", at leastnishan--- said:
Riet
Tomcat Pilot
- buying bikes
Go to a bikeshop and tell them that you want something for commuting and what your price-range is. Maybe look in the trading post and local paper too. DO NOT EVER buy a k-mart/department store bike.
- road rules and regulations
You must obey all road rules as if you were in a car or motorbike. Like a motorbike you can ride in bus lanes (but not Bus Only lanes like the one along Anzac Parade)
- essential gear
Helmet, comfy shorts, front and back lights in case its dark/rainy. Probably invest in a High-Vis vest/top.
- safety
Stay alert and don't be stupid. Don't rely on people to avoid you.
- common/ safe/ unsafe cycling routes
There is a bike track pretty much all the way from Taylor Square to UNSW, Since not many people walk along there I would ride on the footpath. Only go on the road through kensington where there are those cafes and stuff
- how to "practice?"
Go to centennial park and ride around until you're tired. Go home and do it again the next day.
- do you find it worthwhile? Or should I just get the bus?
I have ridden to UNSW a few times from Ashbury which is about 14 km, depending on the route I take. I can do that in 30-40 minutes if I really try. It's alot quicker than public transport and AS quick as a car (depending on traffic). I don't do it normally because I don't want to be sweaty and smelly in class. Usually if I have to go in to uni in the holidays for any reason.
- and anything else...
Get a good solid bike lock and a chain to put through the wheels.
Go to a bikeshop and tell them that you want something for commuting and what your price-range is. Maybe look in the trading post and local paper too. DO NOT EVER buy a k-mart/department store bike.
- road rules and regulations
You must obey all road rules as if you were in a car or motorbike. Like a motorbike you can ride in bus lanes (but not Bus Only lanes like the one along Anzac Parade)
- essential gear
Helmet, comfy shorts, front and back lights in case its dark/rainy. Probably invest in a High-Vis vest/top.
- safety
Stay alert and don't be stupid. Don't rely on people to avoid you.
- common/ safe/ unsafe cycling routes
There is a bike track pretty much all the way from Taylor Square to UNSW, Since not many people walk along there I would ride on the footpath. Only go on the road through kensington where there are those cafes and stuff
- how to "practice?"
Go to centennial park and ride around until you're tired. Go home and do it again the next day.
- do you find it worthwhile? Or should I just get the bus?
I have ridden to UNSW a few times from Ashbury which is about 14 km, depending on the route I take. I can do that in 30-40 minutes if I really try. It's alot quicker than public transport and AS quick as a car (depending on traffic). I don't do it normally because I don't want to be sweaty and smelly in class. Usually if I have to go in to uni in the holidays for any reason.
- and anything else...
Get a good solid bike lock and a chain to put through the wheels.
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sirfeathers
Member
so you don't need a whole change of clothes or anything?Riet said:
want2bdifferent
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yeah might be handy if you are going to get all sweaty to have a change of clothes so you do not stink or if you get too dirty
inasero
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usually unis have showering facilities so you can bring a change of clothes...if you're not too fussy about wearing different clothes every day you might consider leaving the clothing in a locker and changing it every few days.
also if you're looking at getting into it buy a short sleeve jersey and add arm warmers for the colder weather instead of buying a full long-sleeve jersey- it'll save you money.
also if you're looking at getting into it buy a short sleeve jersey and add arm warmers for the colder weather instead of buying a full long-sleeve jersey- it'll save you money.
Riet
Tomcat Pilot
It's really up to you, whenever I ride somewhere it's mainly for the exercise and so I just assume I'll be a bit smelly until I get home and shower. If you're going to have to sit in lectures for a few hours, yeh, a whole change of clothes would probably be better.sirfeathers said:
Just a few things -
* Make sure you have a proper bag of some description (with two shoulder straps). I find the satchel type bags slide around the body (hit your legs) and make it really hard to ride.
* If you know you're riding in bad light - consider investing in a high visability vest. Yes you look like a massive douche, but it's better than having some north shore mum spread your body over the road like peanut butter just because she couldn't see you.
* Ride at your own pace, don't feel like you have to keep up with cars.
* Don't get scared by other drivers. Some people will try and intimidate you.
* Don't ride in the gutter. Alot of people say "ride on the left hand side, close to the end", but i reckon it's safer to ride in the middle of the left lane. Why? because when cars overtake you, if you're in the gutter they try and 'sneak' past and they will bump you. If you take up 'most' of the lane, they have to change lanes to overtake.
* In the city, most of the time you'll be able bus lanes, so use them
* Make sure you have a proper bag of some description (with two shoulder straps). I find the satchel type bags slide around the body (hit your legs) and make it really hard to ride.
* If you know you're riding in bad light - consider investing in a high visability vest. Yes you look like a massive douche, but it's better than having some north shore mum spread your body over the road like peanut butter just because she couldn't see you.
* Ride at your own pace, don't feel like you have to keep up with cars.
* Don't get scared by other drivers. Some people will try and intimidate you.
* Don't ride in the gutter. Alot of people say "ride on the left hand side, close to the end", but i reckon it's safer to ride in the middle of the left lane. Why? because when cars overtake you, if you're in the gutter they try and 'sneak' past and they will bump you. If you take up 'most' of the lane, they have to change lanes to overtake.
* In the city, most of the time you'll be able bus lanes, so use them
Optimus Prime
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Davo1111 hit the nail on the head. I think a high-vis jacket/vest is defintiely worth it. 5 minutes of looking like a tool or getting hit by a car? easy choice IMO
I also bought a 'high vis (dark orange) backpack with reflective panels. It looks pretty cool (doesn't look too dorky). During the day it makes me a bit more noticible from behind (and i don't wear the high-vis vest). At night i have an array of lights from kathmandu (actually atm they have 50% of everything - so a great time to grab that sort of stuff)
Oh 2 other things
1) i'd go mountain bike over road bike (a reasonable quality one too, not just a bigw bike) because the thin wheels can break if you jump down a gutter. GEtting double walled tires is also good because they won't pierce as easily too.
2) 5km isn't really alot, and well you can probably get away with not taking a change of clothes (i do this almost daily). However, sports shoes is a must. The only time i've needed to change clothes is when its hot, wet, muddy etc
Also, apply for a locker at uni. So you don't have to lug books & gym clothes around all day. At our uni, you can get lockers at the sports center, library, and at most faculties (you get given a 'microscope locker' or something, but it only takes up one shelf)
PS - Kathmandu sale ends sunday.
1) i'd go mountain bike over road bike (a reasonable quality one too, not just a bigw bike) because the thin wheels can break if you jump down a gutter. GEtting double walled tires is also good because they won't pierce as easily too.
2) 5km isn't really alot, and well you can probably get away with not taking a change of clothes (i do this almost daily). However, sports shoes is a must. The only time i've needed to change clothes is when its hot, wet, muddy etc
Also, apply for a locker at uni. So you don't have to lug books & gym clothes around all day. At our uni, you can get lockers at the sports center, library, and at most faculties (you get given a 'microscope locker' or something, but it only takes up one shelf)
PS - Kathmandu sale ends sunday.
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Riet
Tomcat Pilot
Dude, being able to ride like 50% faster makes up for not being able to jump down gutters. Main thing is a proper roadie costs a fair bit more than a "mountain" bike, but because of all the poseurs you can usually pick up an almost new one for a good discount.
No, just wrong.Davo1111 said:
Do you even own a road bike? The wheels will not break by jumping up and down the gutter and over potholes etc, so long as your not a spastic
Although I agree with the rest of your post, get a mountain bike, if possible without and suspension , it just isnt needed. You also might want to look at changing the seat, most stock seats are shitty and uncomfortable and also the pedals they are usually pretty crap.
I'm just repeating what happened to a mate of mine about a month ago. He had a road bike that was worth a few grand, he loaned it to a mate to try it (who was giving it a test ride), first gutter, the front rim bent in. Before you hit the defensive and say it was a one off or a shit bike or something - that's what happened, so i'm only repeating it. From memory the wheels were worth $500 too. But anyway, i digress - that's why i wouldn't want to buy a road bike - i am heavy-ish and i abuse the crap out of my current bike.crestor said:
Crestor is right about the limited suspension thing - I've got a hard tail and i've ridden a bike with dual and it's just a pain. Buying a non-BigW bike will usually solve the seat thing
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Riet
Tomcat Pilot
I like hard tails, even for fire trails and stuff. But seriously, even front suspension isn't really necessary. If she's only riding from the city to UNSW I'd just want a really light standard kinda bike.
If it was me I'd get a fixie, since there aren't even any hills there, but they aren't for everyone.
If it was me I'd get a fixie, since there aren't even any hills there, but they aren't for everyone.
I love my fixie but for what is really a novice rider I would not recommend one, maybe a single speed with a fixed, single speed hub, so you can switch between?
Hard-tails are so much fun too, so much more feel for the trail, ohh Im going for a ride now ........
Hard-tails are so much fun too, so much more feel for the trail, ohh Im going for a ride now ........
osamabanana
Member
Cycling as a way of getting around is a great thing to do. Go down to a reputable bike store and tell them what you want to do with it and they should be able to help you out. If you do get a mountain bike which id suggest is a good idea unless you want to be spending >$1000 put slick or semi slick road tyres on it and it will make ur journey much easier.