advice for novice

[shiznit76]

This might seem most simple question asked, but i'm new to road cycling and want some advice on novice cycling techniques. In particular gearing.
I've kinda always churned out on big ring and high toothed sprocket on rear, but would it be better spin a lower gear , such as on smaller front chain ring and lower tooted rear sprocket to save the legs from lactating up? Really struggle on hills too, what's best advice for going up them, not gear wise, but pacing, such as getting out saddle etc.
Basically, teach me the basics of road cycling folks

[eileithyia]

Difficult to explain everything over t'internet so might be helpful to ride with a local club, or with experienced cyclists who can see your technique and give some advice.
But generally yes spinning is better than pushing, but there is spinning and pushing.... no point spinning in such a low gear you are not getting anywhere and no point pushing so that you are grinding along at 50revs and also not getting anywhere....
Also of course, riding in big ring / high gears will be relative to what your big ring and high gears actually are.... my race bike has a 56 tooth outer ring with 11 tooth sprocket whereas my mountain bike has completely differently sized rings and sprockets....

Personally I find a cadence of around 80-90 revs is comfortable. If you cannot ride with others, it might be useful to get some sort of computer that tracks cadence to give you some idea of what cadence you are finding most comfortable / efficient.

As for hills, very difficult.. again we all have our own techniques. Personally i go on feel and change down as cadence and speed goes down and resistance goes up... this can mean several changes down during an ascent (and even down to 24" gear aka 2 feet for steepest of hills or when unfit).

[drossall]

Spinning is generally better, not least because you can cope better with minor changes in gradient that tend to really hit you if you are "pushing". Riding with a club is a good suggestion; you'll pick up style from other riders.

Just to be strict about what you said, small rings and small sprockets do not necessarily give larger gears than large rings and large sprockets. Large gears come from large rings and small sprockets. Small gears come from small rings and large sprockets. If it's not obvious why, think about the number of chain links pulled (one per tooth, obviously). So, a 52-tooth ring turns a 26-tooth sprocket (and therefore the attached wheel) round twice. The same gear is obtained from a 40-tooth ring turning a 20-tooth sprocket twice. But a 26-tooth ring only turns a 26-tooth sprocket once.

[shiznit76]

Thanks for tips.
I went to a club a few years back and nearly put me off for life, they seemed just intent on beasting me off the back of the group, maybe things have changed. Thankfully, that club no longer exists, probably just as well! I don't think im fast enough to join a club, i average about 12-13mph so bit slow

[drossall]

Different clubs have different styles, as in many sports. Some are essentially racing teams. Some are family clubs who will have slower and faster groups. Also consider CTC sections.

There's a demand for both/all types of club, and you need to try several to find the one that suits you.

[martin biggs]

Thanks for tips.
I went to a club a few years back and nearly put me off for life, they seemed just intent on beasting me off the back of the group, maybe things have changed. Thankfully, that club no longer exists, probably just as well! I don't think im fast enough to join a club, i average about 12-13mph so bit slow

one or more of them should have ridden with you i feel .

Where are you based ?

Personally i prefer to push a big gear over sitting there spinning legs but that is just me

[eileithyia]

As Drossall, different clubs different styles, same horses for courses.. or gears for different conditions as per my time trialling bike / touring bike and MTB......
You need to find the right club for you, there are plenty of newer clubs out there these days, often aimed at the adult new cyclist, CTC groups, family groups etc.
I do tend to favour slightly lower cadence, 75-90rpm, but modern thinking is to spin in a higher cadence, 90-100... you have to find what feels comfortable for you. I do not feel I am 'pushing' in my preferred cadence, but much higher and I do not find it comfortable.

[TrevA]

It would be worth investing in a cadence device, either a cadence sensor for a Garmin, or a cycle computer that can show cadence. You will then at least be aware of how fast you are pedalling. If you are mashing a big gear and only riding at 12-13 mph, then I suspect your cadence will be quite low at present. Optimum is between 80 and 100 rpm for most people. After all you wouldn't drive your car around in the highest gear all the time, so why do it on a bike?

I tend to spin a small gear up hills and like to remain seated. Getting out of the saddle is OK on short hills, but will tire you out on a long climb.

[1942alexander]

I seem to have a natural cadence which is 65 - 70 RPM and although I've tried to speed it up, I've failed miserably. A club run at normal speed (12 - 13 mph.) would give me a cadence of 60 on the 70 inch fixed I used to ride. Now I'm on 2 x 10 gears, and nearly sixty years older, I'm between 65 and 70. I would have had to ride a 45 inch gear to have a cadence of 94, I certainly couldn't handle this gear throughout a club run distance. I could race at 100 rpm but only for 25 miles. Basically, both a higher cadence or a larger gear will speed you up, but trying to alter either of them may take a long, long time to achieve any worthwhile improvement. Why not try a period on a fixed gear? If you select the right size for your locality so you can climb the hills, it should get your legs freely spinning on the descents and it will also take away the desire to change down immediately the gradient starts to rise thereby strengthening your leg muscles. It will also give you an accurate cadence if you know the distance and time. As for hills, they really never bothered me in my youth. I never found a hill I couldn't climb on the fixed gear. They did used to hurt a bit at the bottom but when I got into the rhythm I enjoyed the rest of the climb. My fear was going down the other side.
Hope this helps... cheers... Alex

[pjclinch]

It would be worth investing in a cadence device, either a cadence sensor for a Garmin, or a cycle computer that can show cadence.

Though do be aware that a watch with a second hand and the ability to count is actually all you need for an occasional ball-park check.

Find a place where you can put in a consistent effort for a bit at a steady cadence (and where you feel happy to watch the clock). Note the time and start counting each time your pedals go round (so, for example, add one each time your right knee comes up), stop at a time that easily multiplies in to a minute (but go for at least 20 seconds to avoid too much rounding error) and see what you get.

A cadence sensor will give you a much more convenient reading at any time, but if you're not really bothered about cycle computers or don't want a more expensive one you can get useful info from the "manual method" that will give you an idea about whether you might be better off in higher or lower gears. I don't have a computer on the bike, so no cadence sensor, but when I count it it's rarely far off 80 because that's what I'm happy with on all distances and speeds I do. I used to be a bit of a masher, but riding at higher cadences I can go a lot further without my thighs turning to lead.

Pete.

[shiznit76]

Hi folks good tips.
I am in Ayrshire. There are a few local clubs, but they seem to concentrate on racing and TT's

Can anyone recommend a decent but not wallet busting cadence computer? I have a basic cateye one at present, but doesn't do much beyond stop clock, average and current speeds.

Thanks very much for your patience!

[Paulatic]

Hi folks good tips.
I am in Ayrshire. There are a few local clubs, but they seem to concentrate on racing and TT's

Can anyone recommend a decent but not wallet busting cadence computer? I have a basic cateye one at present, but doesn't do much beyond stop clock, average and current speeds.

Thanks very much for your patience!

Have you tried this group?
http://www.cycleayrshire.co.uk/

[shiznit76]

Hi folks good tips.
I am in Ayrshire. There are a few local clubs, but they seem to concentrate on racing and TT's

Can anyone recommend a decent but not wallet busting cadence computer? I have a basic cateye one at present, but doesn't do much beyond stop clock, average and current speeds.

Thanks very much for your patience!

Have you tried this group?
http://www.cycleayrshire.co.uk/

That's excellent, thanks very much

[TrevA]

Hi folks good tips.
I am in Ayrshire. There are a few local clubs, but they seem to concentrate on racing and TT's

Can anyone recommend a decent but not wallet busting cadence computer? I have a basic cateye one at present, but doesn't do much beyond stop clock, average and current speeds.

Thanks very much for your patience!

The Cateye Strada is probably the cheapest, £29.45 on Wiggle

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-strada-c ... 60243280uk

[shiznit76]

Hi folks good tips.
I am in Ayrshire. There are a few local clubs, but they seem to concentrate on racing and TT's

Can anyone recommend a decent but not wallet busting cadence computer? I have a basic cateye one at present, but doesn't do much beyond stop clock, average and current speeds.

Thanks very much for your patience!

The Cateye Strada is probably the cheapest, £29.45 on Wiggle

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-strada-c ... 60243280uk

Cheers, cheap and good reviews, perfect