Just bought my first "real" bike. Never had one with drop bars before, just like Walmart MTBs and random Craigslist bikes over the years mostly for utility/around town/ commute with the occasional bike ride mixed in. Would go for 20 or 30 or so on like a random 3 speed.
Been wanting to take those little bike rides a bit more serious and get a bike just for that. Wasn't sure on gravel vs straight road bike. Like 99 miles of this ride were on nice pavement so a road bike woulda been a ton more efficient. I hope to do some light bikepacking and there are some light gravel trails that I can drive to and ride. Figured I could throw a road set on here eventually if I ever wanted to so I went with the gravel bike.
So, any random tips for a new cyclist? This thing didnt even come with an owners manual and canondale's website isn't much help. What are the basics I need for driveline maintenance? Thoughts on electric pump vs hand? These tires call for 35 to 55 which was lower than I thought. Kinda tempted for real roadbike wheelset after yesterday's 100. Definitely felt like I was peddling thru mud at times. I stopped someone for air and the front was at 35 and the rear 40… so in line with specs. The way I was feeling I thought they were lower than that! Lol. But he topped me up to 55 and it definitely felt more efficient. What would be the road wheels im looking for? I dont know jack shit about compatibility between all the different driveline parts
Im kinda turned off toward clipping in for. Just have regular pedals and skate shoes for now. But I was getting like joint pain mostly in left knee and just like my whole pelvis and hips. I do kinda have stiff hips and need to stretch em out pretty good to be able to skateboard well. Young kids set it up and they were just trying to throw every accessory on it so I dont think its set up quite right. First ride I did 85 miles through the boroughs and my taint was destroyed. Seat was tilted up really killing me but now I got bib underwear and dialed in the tilt and yesterday was SOO much better.
Makes me wonder about getting a proper bike fit, but can you even do that without clip in pedals? Maybe ill have to but it just seems nuts to me. Seen a couple people topple in traffic and makes me question it. Like im just tryna go for a chill ride, ya know? But maybe can help with this joint discomfort?
So yeah, obviously doing tons wrong, lol. But feeling absolutely destroyed and proud today. I can barely walk. Idk why the 100 was so much harder than the first ride of 85. I think lower air in tires and just hilly maybe. Either way, it was more comfortable with the bibs and seat correct, but my legs were barely up to that task.
Anyways – just wanted to kinda brag about my new sweet bike and my (to me) big accomplishment yesterday. Literally ANY tips for a newbie will help. Theres so much info out there its kinda overwhelming. And wow is shit expensive. Im definitely not ready for the Spiderman look but have been thinking bib shorts with a normal top. Then I see all these nice ones are 300 dollars?! Oh shit!
by satchko
10 Comments
Congrats. Nice ride! I grew up in Wappingers Falls so not too far from your starting point. I also purchased a gravel bike but looking to sell for a dedicated road bike.
Bib shorts will help guard your taint against saddle sores. I usually wear some MTB style shorts over mine because I don’t like the lycra look.
Drivetrain maintenance shouldn’t be much, just wipe down and re lube your chain after every 100 miles or so!
if you go for off road, just use mtb 2.2 xc tires with less than 30 psi.
if you ride on paved, use 35c tires with abt 35-45 psi.
100psi is for 23 or 25c tires, it’s outdated rn.
less vibration, more comfortable, and you can ride more.
Do stretching afterwards. At least on the next morning. After ride stretching vs. no after ride stretching – two different versions of me.
– Get some basic tools and learn how to use them. Especially changing a tube (or are you running tubeless already?)
– Try an online tire pressure calculator (Silca has a good one)
– I have never had an electric pump. My latest one has a digital gauge but that’s it. Why should I? Get a good floorpump and a small one for the road – I have a Silca Tattico
– for longer rides – eat a lot more than you think you should – took me forever to realize my bad mood and weakness during rides came from hypoglycemia
– get some good padded shorts – they’re worth it.
– depending on where you ride, a Garmin Varia Radar is a gamechanger (at least here in Germany)
– if you get that radar – you can get some OpenRun headphones 🎶
– drivetrain maintenance: my procedure is using a drip lube like Squirt. New chains get degreased aggressively (I put them in a bowl with isopropyl alcohol). After drying they get two coats of Squirt. Every two to three rides (or after a wet ride) I wipe everything down dry with a cloth, apply Squirt to the inside of the chain, wipe again (it‘ll dissolve some), apply Squirt again and let it sit over night. Especially in dusty conditions (drip) wax is amazing. People do immersion waxing and rave about it – haven’t done that yet. I‘m happy with Squirt.
Keys on the seat, ballsy
That bike looks great 👍🏼 I really like the color
Tespect
buy a helmet dude
It’s been scientifically proven that green bikes are the fastest bikes. Glad to see you are rocking one.