10 Cycling Tips I Wish I Knew Before I Started Riding
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2024
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Over the past 7-8 years of riding my bike as my main mode of transportation, I've learned a lot of things that make cycling easier and more enjoyable. Here are 10 cycling tips I wish I knew before I started riding.
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#cyclingtips #fixedgear #fixedgearbike
What cycling tips do you wish you knew before you started riding?
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Your friend had a Spinergy hub on his bike?!? Is he alright?!? He's not permanently injured, is he?!? lol
Sugar sucks for rides over 4 hours.
@@TL243 Literally everything they serve at aid stations is either sugar, water or a combo of the two. This is what you want/need when your doing a fondo or just a long ride.
logan maybe for some. But I got this one dialed in. Check out the solo male record for fixed.
You must Manage your own calories to move past those that let others do.
www.raceacrossthewest.org/records---awards.html
I will send you the photos of those bikes to let you determine fixie points....
dig it!
Before you go off. That was just my biggest event. It started as a dare. One mile at a time. One ride at a time.
Here's my 2 cents worth of opinion of (my) fixed gear riding:
I'm in my late 50's, I have disability and I ride a fixed gear conversion 2016 Bombtrack steel framed Oxbridge. My Dr suggested I make "friends with a bike", a long time ago and I did. I wear denim jeans with flannel shirts in the Winter and a skull mask so drivers can See Me. In Summer, I wear cargo shorts, T Shirts or light plaid shirts. I don't own any lycra.
I ride fixed because its good for the circulation in my feet. I can't always feel my feet, so I have straps on my pedals. To carry groceries, I have 2 Chrome Messenger Bags, I just pick which is appropriate that day and ride. I'm lacking proper rain gear, that's next on my list!
I'd like to buy another fixed gear bicycle, maybe a Surly Steamroller or something like a Cuju Street bike. I have no desire nor ability to race-I just wanna ride fixed gear bikes and to Hell with what anyone one else says!
My life is a rollercoaster, thanks to my health issues BUT I ride because I want to and when I do and I FEEL Good and my mental health is better.
I've ridden with rear cogs of '20, '16, '15 and '14. Presently, my Bombtrack has a '17 fitted, the '15 was a bit harsh, but I will be fitter and stronger and that '15 will go back on.
See, Zac-You're Right-it don't matter what you wear nor what fixed bike you ride-you (me too) ride because it gives pleasure and you feel bloody Good, because of it!!
I totally agree on the early morning ride thing. I do 20 miles starting at 4:00am most days (10 miles on cold winter days), and VERY rarely does anything get in the way of me doing that, plus there is almost zero traffic as I ride through the streets of Milwaukee.
I needed this. I honestly feel relieved that someone (Zach) finally said this about .."stop worrying about it and just ride". I feel like I took a Zach pill and now I forgive myself for riding any bike any color any stem, etc.
love your i-dont-give-a-shit-what-anyone-thinks-about-me attitude, and the story about your grandpa, and BIKES
It killed me when he said "it feels like flying" 😂😂
flying is flying, literally
@Mina30000000 Ironically, that's the part that doesn't feel like flying at all. It feels like landing yourself in some deep shit. Believe me, I know.
ever going to cut that steerer tube?
Riding bikes feels so natural to me that I thought "what do you mean by tips for BEFORE I started riding bikes? You mean for when I was three?!"
Although I certainly have gotten more enjoyment out of riding my bike in recent years than before. Growing up, it often was just the easiest way to get around. And it mainly just served that purpose: getting from a to b.
Wish I would have worn a helmet when I started riding as a adult. I got hit by a truck and dragged down the road on my head, and lost my front teeth. I was going home from work, less than 1/8 mile ride.
Same. L.A. divers are too crazy for me. Helmets please
I would never ride without a helmet, ESPECIALLY in NYC, where I ride... You'd have to be stupid not to. Just sayin'... The roads can be dangerous but beyond that people are braindead. Not only are they unaware of their surroundings but they rarely look out for bikers. Wear a helmet.
But what helmet would have prevented you losing teeth?
I've said for years all bikers should ride against the traffic so you can see the traffic come at you instead of just being blind and not knowing what is coming behind you maybe this is false but it always seem the most logical to me
@@winonesoon9771 Why not just fit a mirror to your bicycle rather than risk a head-on collision with another cyclist?
I once had a problem with my derailleur hanger. It bent inwards after I fell (didn't clip both feet fast enough) and about 10 miles later, the T-Pulley caught on a spoke and wrenched it upwards, breaking the hanger. Took it to my prefered bike shop, explained the problem, and they put on a new hanger for free since they're so cheap.
So yeah, Local Bike Shops are the best.
Hi Zach, I always enjoy your videos but this one is my favorite. I have 3 bikes that I Love that I unfortunately don't get to ride as much as I would like because I'm now raising grandkids but at 65 I've learned those same 10 things. Even just going to the post office is still a great feeling for me and along with your videos and those of Kelsey Leigh, Spindatt and Path Less Pedaled I manage to stay excited about bikes even living here in Brick N.J. which is hardly a cycling paradise. And that would be my 11th piece of advise, don't live in Brick N.J. Thank you for making these videos!
Hey Zach, I don;t know if it suits your channel, but many many non-adrenaline junkies cyclist (called commuters) who are terrified of accidents on roads, they need real advice to avoid situations on road (which almost happens to all cyclists), some advice like how to pass an intersection with lowest risk, how to avoid getting hit by a close passing cars, like that. it seems in North America these tips can be life saving than just talking about makes a ride comfortable or what accessories you use. anyways just my two cents
The morning ride are truly the best, and also if u ride to go to work or school try find alternate routes so you don't get board of the same routine. Ride safe no drinking its the shit but you do get more reckless i love it lol
I also love having a drink or two on a ride... long live the booze cruise.
Yea same XD but more then 2, like 6 beers or so
I tried that this summer at a beach bar in Lake Shore drive (Chicago) it was fun but I was barely working on my cardio and low stamina lmao 😂 trying to focus on the ride back while giggling my ass off and not swerving too much never again!......at least till spring when the bar opens again 🤣🤣🤣🥃🍺🧐🧐🧐
@@chato6210 lol xD sometimes it takes ages to get back home drunk on your bike, especially when living in a place that has some sick hills
Fuck yea baby , i saw a dude who kept a airport bottle of whiskey under his saddle when he brought it in for work at the bike shop
Dont drink and ride ? If you go to miami go ride with a dude named raven goes hard . he lives to ride drunk lmao
Just got a new bike and glad I found your channel! Great content man. Keep it up!
There's something magical about drinking and riding
I wish I knew that single speeds/fixie road bikes existed when I out grew my bmx bike.
exactly
The “completely get consumed by minor details when buying a bike” -guy is me.
Finally got a good deal on a pre cursa with an h+son wheel set tho so sometimes you have to wait for an offer you can’t decline 😄
Zach it's a very informative video ......nice to see how many people love their fixed gear bikes ......
You are brilliant when it comes to bikes!! Thank you for the awesome advice!!!
I hear you on the riding solo. I’ve only been riding a fixed gear for 1 1/2 months now and my friends can no longer keep up with me. I’m doing my first 75km this Saturday and am super excited for it.
I started riding when my car broke down and i had a 8.5 mile ride. On a walmart Schwinn hybrid that was $200. The bike was horrible but making it to work on that ride was pure adrenaline and from there i caught the bug and it was always an attempt to beat my time i got to 8.5 miles in 30 mins with ease and i patched bike together from scrap after my Schwinn ate its derailer into the rear rim and broke the spokes and i got a 26". Mtn bike that the rear hub welded itself so i got a 24" rear tire and Frankensteined it together but it became one of my fav bikes till i bought my 80's Raleigh road bike im now looking to get a fix gear and your videos have been a great help thank you. Btw i bought a new car and still commute on my Raleigh
4:00 oh god finally somebody that understand me
I haven't been commuting for very long, but I have some things I wish I knew before I started.
I wish I had taken some time to maintain my bike before being forced into riding due to a car wreck.
I wish I had known that Google maps doesn't plot bike routes well in my city.
I wish I knew I was able to act like a car the first few weeks, because sidewalks are so dangerous.
I STILL wish I knew about some local commuting groups.
My steerer has 5 10mm spacer bellow and 4 10mm spaces above the stem. Lots of friends made joke of it. I just love being able to change it every time my Bodie gets fadigued from long rides. Use to ride 100 miles every weekend. Not recently due Corona, but, still. Lots of bar height is awesome.
Glad I saw yours, not feeling lonely with long steerer anymore lol
Dude, I just wish your videos existed when I started riding my first store bought bike in Japan back in 2011!
New to your channel and been riding for about a month now. Got my wife into it too. Enjoyed your video
Early Morning rides are the best :)
When turning two wrenches together like you breifly shown at the start of this video on the front cassette. Its better to turn the wrenches towards each other starting at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock. If you have the wrenches at 9 and 3 o'clock you end up pushing what you are working at away from you and it limits how much force you can apply. This trick is what i've been taught early on as a plumber and it applies it many real world applications. Hope it helps :D
Hey, great videos, keep it up. Just added you on strava. Stay safe and ride often.
Amazing video! Amazing content! Thanks!!!
Great personality! Tip 5 is the best!
Yeah man. Well said. Let's keep doing what we do and not give a what about the stuff people say. I enjoy your vids bro. Keep pushing and be careful out there.
Zach: blablabla....everyday
Me: *to be reasonably dangerous*
Primo content bro , started riding religiously about 7 years ago and all your vids talk about shit i had to learn myself through trial and error . and one thing i tell people all the time " i dont ride my bike or do this shit for you or anybody else i do it purely for me"
as a german professional bike mechanic it is very pleasing how you describe "our" work. keep it up.
My sister is moving to the other side of Toronto so I am about to totally feel your pain of going across the city, roughly 100kns. But it will be a run ride, and biking allows me to keep my family as close as we need to be. Worth ever km! Love your channel. Come to Canada and we will collaborate!
Been catching up on you. Nice growth.
The force is strong in you.
drinking and riding is so fun, did it today
Just go cycling! I had fun traveling from France to Denmark :)
Color matters, my bike was olive drab green🤮 so I took it and had it powder-coated, and had it painted blue, and now I'm a happy bicyclist❤
Have to admit that it is fun to work on bikes. I broke down and got a work stand and now really enjoy it.
You are exactly right, it’s about the ride!!
I’m about to buy my first fixie bike and I have to say, your videos are great! They helped me a lot through out the process of buying the bike, will keep on learning with your videos 👍🏽
Very, very enjoyable, and I agree...Uh, with all of it. Thanx.
thats it. gonna wake up one hour earlier tomorrow to enjoy that morning breeze. thanks for inspiration
Cycling in LONDON from SOHO all the way home to Tottenham on a FRIDAY night after having had over 5 pints of Guinness was always great fun. Cycling really fast in London after Midnight has always been my Disneyland.
I hate riding fixie's but you make it seem fun. Subscribed.
I wish i wouldn't have stopped biking for a few years before I moved too Vallejo when I was 14.
I got back into cycling by riding my old red line 80s bmx with mags.
And I'm glsd I started to ride again.
I've been hooked ever since only wish I have is that I'd never stopped for those years since I forgot how great and freeing it feels to ride. I have been riding my bike as my main transportation on/off since highschool.
Did that lady have a bmx with a basket? Sick
All great. Love your videos.
I wish I didn't buy a crowdfunded AWD bike/handcycle before legitimately getting into cycling.
I’ve been watching Zach for over a year now consistently, and since he actually made a reference to the steerer tube thing in this video I did t want to make a comment on it. The thing that surprises me is that it’s strange to me that the extra length doesn’t give him anxiety like it does to me lmao. Zach seems a bit too perfectionist and in love with his bike to not care bout it but I guess that’s why everyone is different and unique
I'm a roadie, but I never invest a lot of money in my 3 road bikes. I have a Trek 5500 OCLV Carbon 120 US Postal Service with DA 7700 for the most beautiful days, an absolute eye-catcher for which I keep getting compliments all the time. For normal trips I take my venom green Merida Scultura 100 with a simple Claris R2000 and for commuting, I use my 20-years old singlespeed (vertical dropouts), stickerbombed and a hodgepodge of old parts.
I don’t really have a fixed gear but I have a road bike because for me personally I enjoy leaning in and going faster
Great deal. Just right size for us. Wish we had bought one sooner.
Zach, any videos or advice on leg recovery, DOMS, or exercises to help for biking, Thanks dude!
Oh whoa hold up you're around the bay?
You're like north of me I'm from the Tri Valley
Ive been watching your vids
Thinking of getting a fixie and at 2am walking around (I walk around/jog a lot listening to music) happened to find a fixie at the dumpster(I live in apartments so ppl throw stuff away) or it might be a single speed. Its probably a single speed I think I remember coasting.
I'm totally ranting but hopefully this is a start of a new hobby for me.
If I haven't found the bike with this timing I probably never would've pulled the trigger but would've just been watching your vids day dreaming about getting one.
Can't wait to be able to start riding it.
Ima put on some of that pokemon music and live it up as soon as its good to go
Wanting a powerful stroke, it was a mistake to pedal with my toes pointing downward, and then powering them upward similar to how we swim with flippers. I think that the way I was moving my ankles has been called "ankling", and is not recommended. I'm believing that pointy ankle position (and 'flipper' movement of feet) led to knee problems that stopped me from cycling for a very long time.
Best for me to keep my ankles at a steady (approx) 90 degree angle.
Injury is the worst and most frustrating thing to experience when you are wanting to maintain a well earned athletic condition.
"Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome" symptoms match what I had experienced.
I now cycle pain-free. Very satisfying :)
update: just found a video (from a sports physical therapist- Jeff Cavaliere) that I place some credence to and am going to try his suggested exercises.
I gather my painful experience was from overdeveloping the hip muscle, without balancing it by developing the glut medius.
(video title: PERMANENT Fix for IT Band Pain!!)
th-cam.com/video/1iODncOLJnk/w-d-xo.html
@BeboSaab a good way to pedal in circles as you mentioned is to have a seat (and seat positioning) that is right for you, and have some weight on that seat, instead of all weight on the pedals. then you can alternate different groups of leg mussles to be dominat at different times, which supports longevity of rides.
I agree with most of what you write.
Personally, I am appreciative of the cardio effects of the high spins.
what works for one may not suit another.
It is possible that some people have higher twitch muscles, and for such a person, higher rpm may feel more natural. Your may have more of the slower twitch fibers and more of a mashing stroke is natural for you.
vive la difference
This is a five star video. Thank you. JamesInBensonArizona
Hey. Trim the steerer tube? I agree with your bike shop comment. As a mechanic with 45+ years of wrenching experience, I still need certain particular types of help.
I always take the long way home when I've been at the pub or a bar. I live in the CBD it's so nice booze croozin home
SF to Elk Grove must have been a schlep. I always wanted to do Sac to Oakland but I haven't attempted it yet.
facts drinking and riding are so true
You saw the top of mountain on a fixie? Impressive
Does anyone else sweat a sh*^ton while riding? It’s borderline concerning.. I know I think about it a lot and most other people most likely don’t notice some random guy sweating but wondering if other people excessively sweat. Most riders/messengers don’t seem to sweat at all.
I sweat a lot too
Thanks zach you put my name on the list, 😁😁😁😁
As described in the moment you said don’t drink and ride then said that it’s guilty pressure 😅💪🏿
I wish I'd spent the money on a good bike early on. For many years I rode heavy clunky bikes that were given me.
They were fine with me, since I didn't know any different. Then in 1993 I broke down and got a Bianchi Eros. At 24 pounds, it seemed incredibly light to me. You could rely on the gears and the chrome was so shiney.
Are you riding the wabi sub-15 wheelset or did you change anything? How many holes do you recommend for intermediate riding 28 or 32?
I got acomplete Litespeed for $800 today. I'd say I got a really good deal.
hi. Any tips for riding a bicycle on a light rainy day? Singapore has been getting some rains these days and commuting to work on my coastal brake single speed bicycle has been a bit of an issue for me. Would like to know if you would recommend some sort of rain coat..
Or should I just skip cycling?
Fenders and a rainproof jacket is all you need in warm weather
Nothing like a nice beer cruise lololol.
Hi zach, can u gjve me some tips maneuvering a max clearance bike, its really hard sometimes when its traffic
And what about space for a 32 mm or even larger tire ? I live in Queens , N.Y. too , Thanku !
I lost my memory really ill for a decade , riding a bike I was a happy little kid again , while riding fixie my only comfort & normality , best reason to ride , to be happy . Your Grand Dads right .
I started fixie riding in 2011. Something called Windsor the hour. Don't know much about the brand but i know how the bike rides. Rode that thing everywhere for years and never changed anything...only tubes. Got a hardtail mtb 2 years ago and it's fun but it's slow on my 14 mile commute to work. How i miss the simplicity of the fixie.
Dude, your story resembles greatly with mine ❤️ btw, i got a pure oscar a couple of days back... JUST LOVING IT!
The 60 miles is too far thing yes! Can relate :/ have done more fondos alone then with ppl
At first, I didn't know that cycling is kinda expensive. Non stop upgrades.
Word. You got it going on.
Could you elaborate on the bottom bracket tool was tapped out? The hand gesture seems like tapping it with a mallet or hammer.
While I was threading the crank bolt into the bottom bracket, the bolt head snapped off. Luckily, a tiny portion of the bolt was still sticking out of the bottom bracket. The shop cut a notch into the bolt and unthreaded it by slowly tapping it with a hammer and chisel.
Bike Party Sacramento was the only times I ever really drank and rode. Definitely miss it, but I moved away (and there's a pandemic lmao)
Don't rush, prepare ahead of time and accommodate for weather before a ride.
Drinking and riding literally broke my shoulder. Twice.
"Don't drink and ride" lol that's also my guilty pleasure 🤣 couple weeks ago fell off the bike and fractured some ribs doing that.
I'm 5.9, I ride a 24" tire preowned sub $50 bike and I don't care.
I drank and rode once. Ended up wrapping my body around a stop sign. Weed puts me in the zone though
I found weed helped me focus, and to enjoy the nature I was seeing on my bike.
I can now do that without the weed, so I quit.
I find that weed can vary in affect, and it does slow down the "refresh rate" of my brain (similar to that of a computer refresh rate)
I want to be ready to handle any unexpected cosmic 2x4's that the real world may toss my way.
I had an issues with my vintage Hercules road bike my grandpa gave me that he had back in the 60s. Went to the closet bike shop near me .
I had to deal with snobby Douche bags.
Except the guy at the register, His a chill guy. But the owner and every one else there are terrible. Since then I rather work on my own bikes. Learning a lot on TH-cam.
I wish i would have known about good gear ratios for a single speed bike, in a hilly city ( Seattle).
Gear ratios make a world of a difference. I'm just learning that now.
the last two weaks I was wondering if I should get a silver stam with a black handle bar or vise verse OR if it should be all silver or all black xD
and so and so on. made me laugh pretty hard that u exactly said the same, TY lol
ps. I now bought it simply in all silver haha
Can't beat waking up, downing a 4-pack of beer, then heading out on the fixie 😆
I take a fat dab a bong RIP and two shots if im really feeling lit . lmao
Special brew first thing eeeuw !
Na Zach I agree the morning is best for riding as I also like riding my fixed gear and do ride to work every morning @7am weather permitting of course, and no gym memberships for me,also about drinking and riding ive tried it and it doesn't work for me,a coffee break would be more beneficial alcohol would kill my motivation to ride,and way too relaxed.
Dude, did you actually pedal to SF from Sac? Holy moly
Do a video of your opinion on ingrias
Riding a single speed/fixed gear with roadies, especially an older crowd sucks. Roadies don't understand track bikes or why someone would want to ride them. Avoiding them would have been a smart move.
It’s not “a dumb trend” It’s a way of riding that’s a passion for some, and it’s here to stay. I ride fixed gear bikes on the street and have been since 2008. I will for the rest of my life. I certainly could afford a bike with gears, but I dislike riding them. I used to race on geared road bikes before I discovered fixed gear bikes. As soon as I road one I fell in love and never looked back. I wish I had always been riding fixed gear bikes.
@BeboSaab bro you thinking what im thinking bro
I wish I knew that a lighter gear like my current 51x18 or first on 48x17 a better than a hard gear like 49x17 or 48x15...
this is a nice video
still having trouble deciding whether I should get a black stem and seatpost or silver 😂
I wish I knew how different measurements were on old french road bicycles before trying to rehab one.