In your opinion, what are your top 3 cycling tips for a new rider.

[Mr_Kipling]

I know there is a beginners section on this forum, however out of pure curiosity, & assuming that most people in this section of the forum have been cycling for a few years...
What would your top 3 tips/advice be to a new cyclist?

Mine would be

1, Disc brakes

2, Look at the road ahead.

3, Assume every other road user will pull out in front of you.

 

[jay clock]

cycle little and often as you build up
get a comfortable bike (which doesn't have to mean sit up and beg)
for more than a few miles get proper cycling clothes

 

[jay clock]

oh, anyone a view on helmets?

 

[raleighnut]

1. Buy a good lock
2. Don't leave your bike anywhere you cannot see it (even when locked)
3. Don't look for advice on internet forums (you'll get 20 different opinions on everything)

 

[Smokin Joe]

oh, anyone a view on helmets?

Yeah, you view them on everyone but me.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If they aren't looking they won't see you no matter how hi-viz* your clothing
If they aren't looking they won't see you no matter how bright your lights
The ones that are looking, far and away the vast majority, will see you no matter what, but they aren't the ones you need to worry about.

*Hi-viz doth offend mine eye.

 

[raleighnut]

Yeah, you view them on everyone but me.

Oi there are others who don't wear colanders too y'know.

 

[jay clock]

Mods, my comment about helmets was a joke and feel free to delete it

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just ride your bike.
Go nice places.
Do nice things.

I know there is a beginners section on this forum, however out of pure curiosity, & assuming that most people in this section of the forum have been cycling for a few years...
What would your top 3 tips/advice be to a new cyclist?

Mine would be

1, Disc brakes

2, Look at the road ahead.

3, Assume every other road user will pull out in front of you.

Are disc brakes really your No1 piece of advice for newbies? How did we ever survive without them?

 

[Mr_Kipling]

Are disc brakes really your No1 piece of advice for newbies? How did we ever survive without them?

Yep they are.
I'm probably in the minority here, but I only ride an MTB Only on the road/cycle paths, so I've been using disc brakes most my adult cycling life. when I got a hybrid with V brakes a few years ago I sold it with in 2 weeks.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Get a bike that you love and will enjoy, it'll get ridden more than the one you got advised to get by some stranger.
Make sure your saddle is the right height and that there's air in your tyres, it's way less like work that way.
Don't ride in the gutter.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Mine would be

1. Hold your line.

2. powwwwwwwwwwerrrr.

3. Cadence.

 

[raleighnut]

Yep they are.
I'm probably in the minority here, but I only ride an MTB Only on the road/cycle paths, so I've been using disc brakes most my adult cycling life. when I got a hybrid with V brakes a few years ago I sold it with in 2 weeks.

In over 50yrs of cycling I have yet to fail to stop, the disc brakes on my Saracen are no better and no worse than conventional bike brakes.

 

[slowmotion]

1) Learn to look over your shoulder
2) Do it.

 

[S-Express]

Mine would be

1, Disc brakes

Seriously - you would put disc brakes as your number one top tip??

My top tips would be:

1. get a bike
2. ride it
3. refer to 2.