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

[Kajjal]

I also think it's nonsense. Clearly nobody ever rode MTB in the 80s or 90s.

I did it was dangerous with a 1990's MTB and cantilever brakes, rapidly accelerating down rocky trails with the brakes full on. V brakes were much better and hydraulic discs a lot better still. Bit like saying why have disc brakes in a car with ABS/ESP when drum brakes work fine.

My advice would be

1. Make sure your bike is well setup for you and well maintained
2. Buy decent kit such as bib shorts / tights, jacket etc.
3. Make sure you enjoy it, not everyone is a crazed Strava man.

 

[I like Skol]

It would have been an easier ride on a road bike, even a flat bar one.
Just saying...
Plus - most MTBs with disk brakes come with at least some suspension these days, and you deffo don't need that for roads.

Barely. Even now, with the MTB, a rigid hybrid, an out and out road bike and a disc braked 'allroad' bike to choose from the slicked 26x2.0 MTB is still often a consideration because there isn't much in it and the MTB option has a huge grin factor for a hooligan like me

 

[stalagmike]

Spend at least a grand on your first bike, you'll only want to upgrade, so might as well save on the depreciation

You clean your chain after every ride?

I wouldn't say a Mickleover is the same a cleaning the chain. Wipe it with a rag, run the lube over it, turn the pedals a few times then wipe it again. Takes about a minute to do.

 

[vickster]

My chain gets dirty, the bike gets replaced

 

[Salty seadog]

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

I was going to say learn to look over your shoulder but slowmo has beaten me to it. As you do so bring your shoulder round to meet your chin, this will help you stay on line as just moving the head has a tendancy to move the upper body the same way making you drift in that direction.

 

[TheDoctor]

Barely. Even now, with the MTB, a rigid hybrid, an out and out road bike and a disc braked 'allroad' bike to choose from the slicked 26x2.0 MTB is still often a consideration because there isn't much in it and the MTB option has a huge grin factor for a hooligan like me

Not sure I want to argue over it. End of the day, you ride a bike you like
I will admit, MTBs are huge fun. I need to get my slicked up one back on the road.

 

[slowmotion]

I was going to say learn to look over your shoulder but slowmo has beaten me to it. As you do so bring your shoulder round to meet your chin, this will help you stay on line as just moving the head has a tendancy to move the upper body the same way making you drift in that direction.

I'd never thought of that one. Top tip!

 

[mjr]

1. There's more than one way to do it
2. Do what is most fun
3. Don't bow to the pressure to be a FPKW unless it makes you happy (see 1 and 2)

And seriously, disc brakes aka the poor man's flimsy hub brake replacement?

 

[Oxo]

1. Balance
2. Pedal
3. Off you go!

Just tried that and it didn't really work. Then I reversed 1 and 2. Found that when I started to pedal the bike balanced itself.

 

[Joffey]

1. Confidence is king

2. Obey Highway Code

3. Watch out for other road users who aren't watching out for you

 

[gavintc]

Avoid the gutter
Learn to look over your shoulder
At best, motorists don't care about you.

 

[Smokin Joe]

1.) Join Strava and record all your rides and progress

2.) Try and do high intensity (fast speeds) and high cadence on sections of your rides ... this will make you fitter

3.) Get a decent satnav and explore new areas close to you, by using Ride With GPS and Strava Heat Maps

That's enough to put anyone off.

 

[topcat1]

Go Commando (no pants) for any ride over 2 miles
Avoid drains ( when it's raining )
Never ever filter inside buses & hgvs

 

[mjr]

2. Obey Highway Code

There's far too much evidence-free bad advice in that now to make it a blanket rule, like the bit saying cyclists can stay in the left-turn lane and signal right to continue around roundabouts, which would mean doing scary and dangerous over-the-shoulder crossings of every exit. Maybe "read the Highway Code and Cyclecraft" or "consider the Highway Code".

 

[mjr]

Go Commando (no pants) for any ride over 2 miles

Shouldn't you accompany that with advice to wear cycling pants, or are you recruiting for the World Naked Bike Ride? It's rubbish either way, though.