Tag: Bike tips

You have just got a new bike and you are excited about making your first long ride. To help you to experience it safely. Those tips below will remind you what you need to prepare 

1.You need to fix your bike saddle for your first ride

The very first thing you need to fix the saddle , seatpost to fit with your height . If you bought your bike from a shop. The technician is able to do this for you  but if not you can easily do it by yourself.

There is a lock that stays under the saddle ,which is used to fix the seatpost to the frame of your bike. Once you unlock it, you can easily change the seatpost position, or a little bit up or down.

You can check by sitting on the saddle, try to touch your toes down, if  your toes can touch the ground , and your hands can reach comfortably to the bar handle. This should be ok for you.

It is important because the  correct high saddle is a necessary condition in which your legs can move freely. As you will find out it is hard to reach the pedals when saddle position is too high  or difficult to paddle when the saddle position is too short. 

2.Don’t forget to check the break system

You need to check the brake system and see if they need to be adjusted. Adjusting your bike break will help them work correctly ,therefore keep you safe when driving on the road. 

If your bike brakes have U Caliper design.

There are two main things you need to see . First, brake pads and second brake cables. If the brake pads are too high or too low on the rim, it can cause a safety problem. If brake cables are too loose   it will make it harder to break.

You can simply adjust them with some simple tools.

To check if the brake pads are fit to the rim .

Brake Pads are pads that will clamp down on the front tire of your bike, you can pull the brake lever to see if they can catch the rim tightly and on the centre of the rim. . If it stays lower to the rim .You need to use an Allen wrench to loosen the bolts which hold the brake pads , slowly move pads  to the position where it can catch the rim and fix it tightly.

Because your bike is new, brake pads are new and it is not a problem with pads but you should change pads when they are worn out.

Check your bike brake cables by pulling each brake lever. If the brake pad can catch the rim tightly , it should be ok . If it can not catch the rim and tends to touch the handlebar , then the brake cable is too loose and you need to adjust it.

Adjust barrel adjuster

In order to adjust the barrel adjuster, the one which stays where brake cables meet the brake levers. You adjust by turning it counterclockwise. Slowly loosen barrel adjuster similarly tighten up the brake cable.

After this, pull the brake lever to see if it fits or not. If it is still too loose then you need to adjust it on the caliper.

The caliper is the frame of the brakes that brake pads are attached to. Loose the bolt holding the brake cable on the caliper by an Allan wrench and pull the  brake cable outward through the bolt.When you pull the cable , you can see the brake pad can now catch the rim. Tighten the bolt to fix it. 

  If your bike has hydraulic brakes

When riders pull the brake lever on the handlebars ,a set disc calipers will press the brake pads against the rotor, and slow down the bike.

If you find the the disc calipers are not centered over the rotor  then  you need a hex wrench to realign the Calipers

Put your bike on a support stand so the tires can rotate.

You take a hex wrench, carefully turn the 2 outer mounting bolts on the brake counterclockwise so you can adjust disc calipers ,squeeze the brake lever on handlebars  to realign  the disc calipers over the rotor, and be sure rotor is exactly in the center and contacts  with brake pads. If you find all is ok ,fix the mounting bolts. Spin the wheel to check if the rotor is rubbing against the brakes .If your bike has both front and rear brakes, slowly fix them one by one .

3. You need to check your bike tires ,chain for your first ride

4.Make sure your helmet fits you

You should measure your head before you decide to buy a helmet.Some helmet brands have adjustable systems and side traps. It fits all sizes . What you need is to tight it fit to your jawn to be sure that it is not going backward when you cycling

5.Bring with you water

For a long ride you should bring with you at least 2 full  bottles of water.

6. Bring with you some snacks

Besure you do not start riding with an empty stomach. Cycling will quickly make you feel hungry. So it is a good idea to bring with you some snaches , some nutrition bars.

7.Bring with you a repair kit tool and spare tires for your first ride

8.Take a good pair of shoes that fit with your feet.

9 Choose your correct cycling clothing.

10. Tell your family where you are going to ride and the expected time to come back.

In collusion, taking some time to look over what you need to do before taking your first ride is necessary. In other words, It will help you to proactive manage situation.