Tips for a newbie cyclist?

[black2002ls]

Cool that you found some other riders. Keep pushing yourself. I rode 11 miles to church this morning where my wife and kids met me (with a clean shirt). Then I jumped back on after service and rode about a mile to eat lunch with them followed by another 8.5 miles home a different way. I took 3 really long hills on the way back. I averaged just under 16 mph on the way to church and then a lot faster coming back. I used to dread long hills, but now I'm pushing myself up them. I took the first two on the return trip at around 22 mph according to my watch. Keep after it.

Thanks. I think I kept my cadence at 85-90 for 90% of the route. When I went out, I turned off through a small neighbor hood for a cool down before I returned. I am sure that hurt my average. I am learning to push through the burn on the longer rides. I am hoping before long I can get my pedalling issues sorted out. I find myself bouncing in the sddle at times and at others it feels like I am pedalling faster than the gears are spinning. I know part of it is learning when to shift.

Speaking of, I need to pull and clean the rear derailure. Ever since I cleaned the cassette and chain, it hasn't been shifting properly

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[Shorty]

Pedals should be here tomorrow, hopefully I can find a wrench that is slim enough to fit onto the pedal since I didn't think to order a pedal wrench with them.

You should be able to use an Allen wrench through the back too. And just in case you didn't know, the left/non drive side is threaded "backward."

[juiceweezl]

Well, I found the local riders today. They ride across town from me. As I went to turn around on my route, about 6 riders passed in the direction I was about to head. I had to wait on a couple of cars to pass so they got 1/4-1/2 mile ahead of me. I gave it everything I had trying to catch up, but I just didn't have enough gas in the tank to make a sprint to catch them. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to talk to any of them.

It definitely helped my return speed. I probably averaged 11 mph on the way out and 15 mph on the way back. Average over 9.5 miles was 12.8 mph IIRC. I think the return route was just a bit downhill overall.

Sorry, this is kind of turning into a daily cycling blog for me. lol

Pedals should be here tomorrow, hopefully I can find a wrench that is slim enough to fit onto the pedal since I didn't think to order a pedal wrench with them.

Cool that you found some other riders. Keep pushing yourself. I rode 11 miles to church this morning where my wife and kids met me (with a clean shirt). Then I jumped back on after service and rode about a mile to eat lunch with them followed by another 8.5 miles home a different way. I took 3 really long hills on the way back. I averaged just under 16 mph on the way to church and then a lot faster coming back. I used to dread long hills, but now I'm pushing myself up them. I took the first two on the return trip at around 22 mph according to my watch. Keep after it.

[black2002ls]

Well, I found the local riders today. They ride across town from me. As I went to turn around on my route, about 6 riders passed in the direction I was about to head. I had to wait on a couple of cars to pass so they got 1/4-1/2 mile ahead of me. I gave it everything I had trying to catch up, but I just didn't have enough gas in the tank to make a sprint to catch them. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to talk to any of them.

It definitely helped my return speed. I probably averaged 11 mph on the way out and 15 mph on the way back. Average over 9.5 miles was 12.8 mph IIRC. I think the return route was just a bit downhill overall.

Sorry, this is kind of turning into a daily cycling blog for me. lol

Pedals should be here tomorrow, hopefully I can find a wrench that is slim enough to fit onto the pedal since I didn't think to order a pedal wrench with them.

[black2002ls]

Stopped in and picked up some shoes today. Tried on several different pair. Shimano and Bontrager were a bit wide. Tried two pair of specialized, the elite and pro I think ($125-160). The pro's (?) had the boa system on them. They ended up not having my size. I went with the sports with the ratchet lock ($125). When I went to check out I decided to try a few pair of Sidi's and bump my budget if I liked any of them ($180-290). I found a pair that fit my foot better than the Specialized I had originally decided on. I didn't like the way the felt on the ball of my foot though, not sure if it was a difference in padding or if my feet just didn't like them. I definitely saw them giving me fits.

So I left with the Specialized elite's. I didn't have cleats with me and I didn't want to spend an extra $40 on a pair just to have them set up. We are having a company lunch at Top Golf in Allen on Friday so I will go by and get it done then if I can't get them sorted out this week.

I need to order the stuff for the bottom bracket this weekend. If I get my clicking resolved I am going to ride the 23 mile rout at Hot Rocks in Rockwall this coming Saturday.

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[black2002ls]

Cleaned the cassette, chain, and derailure before my ride tonight. I thought I had taken care of the click with the cleaning. Unfortunately it came back at about the 3 mile mark, and stayed with me. When I got home, I tried to recreate the noise by holding the bike up and spinning the crank. It won't make the noise without my putting my body weight on tje pedals it seems. I guess it is time to pick up the tool and a new bottom bracket. Do you guys recommend a particular unit that is good quality but won't break the bank?

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[black2002ls]

IF you are hearing the clicking from the cassette where you are showing the picture. The clicking is most likely just being caused by the derailleur not being aligned. It can be adjusted and that should fix any noise and mis-shifts. Just google rear Derailleur adjustment. You should find a video that shows you how to adjust it.


Your chain looks pretty nasty too. Might be a good idea to clean it real good and relube it. That will go a long way in helping parts last a long time and shift better.

Use a bike chain lube, not wd40 or any other grease.

I can hear it a little, I feel it more than I hear it. I picked up some degreaser yesterday and plan to clean it all up

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[Beej]

IF you are hearing the clicking from the cassette where you are showing the picture. The clicking is most likely just being caused by the derailleur not being aligned. It can be adjusted and that should fix any noise and mis-shifts. Just google rear Derailleur adjustment. You should find a video that shows you how to adjust it.


Your chain looks pretty nasty too. Might be a good idea to clean it real good and relube it. That will go a long way in helping parts last a long time and shift better.

Use a bike chain lube, not wd40 or any other grease.

[Vertnut]

It's not hard to replace, but there's a bottom bracket tool you will need to remove/replace it. In most inexpensive bikes, the bottom bracket is the weak spot when you start putting miles on them. If it's a bike you're going to keep a while, put a decent replacement in. They will hold up for several thousand miles and be nice and smooth.

[black2002ls]

Those cogs are not perfect when they're new. They have a cross-cut pattern (sort of) to keep the chain aligned and so that switching gears is smoother.

Good to know. I measured the chain and it is fine. I am not sure exactly how many miles the previous owner put on it and what wear items might have been replaced.

I didn't find any loose bolts in the area of the cranks. I ran it down the road pretty hard and no clicking. I didn't really ride tonight, so I will see how it goes tomorrow. If the clicking is still there, I will be pretty convinced it is the bottom bracket. Any suggestions here? Is it easy to replace? Any suggestions for a replacement?

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[Vertnut]

Those cogs are not perfect when they're new. They have a cross-cut pattern (sort of) to keep the chain aligned and so that switching gears is smoother.

[black2002ls]

Hopefully it shows up. There are some spots on the cassette that look like they are excessively worn. I noticed them when I was tightening everything up and checking the chain.

The areas that concern me are on several of the cogs. It is very prominent on the big cog and the next to smallest.



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[Vertnut]

Could be a loose crank, too.

[black2002ls]

Probably Bottom bracket. Not knowing what you have, hard to diagnose. If there is a bike shop near by usually they have demo saddles and or let you buy and try as long as you don't destroy the saddle they will let you bring it back within a few weeks.

No LBS out here. I am going to go through the crank today and clean/check the bolts and see if that fixes it.

I am riding a Specialized Allez and as far as I know it has stock components, Shimano Ultegra IIRC.

What are you guys using for brakes?

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[Beej]

Thanks! I have been looking at saddles on ebay hoping to score some cheap used ones to try without dropping the $$$ on a new one and having it not work out!

I am going to have to get my bike in for service or learn to tear the crank apart soon. I am getting a click in the righ crank on the up stroke.

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Probably Bottom bracket. Not knowing what you have, hard to diagnose. If there is a bike shop near by usually they have demo saddles and or let you buy and try as long as you don't destroy the saddle they will let you bring it back within a few weeks.