Cycling is a sport full of fun, freedom, and challenges, especially road cycling, which can bring a sense of speed, endurance improvement, and social experience. However, many novices tend to make some common mistakes when they first start riding, which affects the riding experience and may pose safety hazards.
This article will summarize the key mistakes that road cyclists are most likely to make and provide practical solutions to help you get into the state faster and enjoy the fun of riding.
1. Inappropriate bike selection: wrong size, riding suffers
Misunderstanding: Only looking at the price or appearance to buy a road bike, without considering whether the frame size and geometry suit you.
Correct approach:
When choosing a road bike, first choose the right frame size according to your height, riding style, and flexibility.
Frame geometry is also critical. Competition geometry is suitable for riders who pursue speed, while endurance geometry is more suitable for long-distance riding.
It is recommended to perform professional fitting (cockpit adjustment) before purchase to ensure a reasonable riding posture and reduce the risk of injury.
2. Wrong use of speed change: pedaling too hard and tiring
Misconception: Novices often don’t know how to change speed properly, which makes pedaling difficult and even hurts the knees.
Correct approach:
Keep the pedaling frequency at 80-100 RPM (revolutions per minute) to avoid pedaling too hard (low pedaling frequency, high resistance) and causing excessive leg fatigue.
Shifting speed in advance: Before encountering a climb or traffic light, adjust to the appropriate gear in advance, rather than waiting until the speed drops before shifting.
Avoid cross-chain: Try to avoid hanging the chain on the outermost chainring and the innermost flywheel (or vice versa), which will accelerate chain wear.
3. Underestimating the importance of cycling equipment
Misconception: Wearing ordinary sportswear to ride a road bike, not wearing a helmet, and even not preparing cycling gloves or glasses.
Correct approach:
A helmet is a must-have for cycling! Choose a helmet that meets **safety certifications (such as CE, CPSC, MIPS technology)** to ensure that your head is protected in the event of an accident.
Cycling clothes can improve comfort: well-fitting cycling clothes can reduce wind resistance, and the cushion of the cycling pants can also reduce hip discomfort during long-term riding.
Cycling gloves and glasses: Gloves can reduce fatigue caused by vibration, and cycling glasses can prevent dust, flying insects, or strong light from interfering with vision.
4. Ignoring tire pressure increases the risk of a tire blowout
Misconception: Many novices do not know that road bike tires require higher tire pressure, but they inflate them casually like mountain bikes.
Correct approach:
Tire pressure is too low → Tires are more likely to be pinched (snake bite tire blowout), and riding resistance is greater.
Tire pressure is too high → Tire grip decreases, and riding bumps increase.
Appropriate tire pressure: It is generally recommended to adjust tire pressure according to weight and tire specifications. For example, the recommended tire pressure range for 700x25c tires is usually 80-100 psi. People with lighter weights can appropriately reduce the tire pressure. Vacuum tires need to be further adjusted to a lower range.
5. Ignoring replenishment and water, resulting in physical overdraft
Misconception: Just focusing on riding, ignoring water and energy replenishment, results in a sudden "wall" (severe physical overdraft) in the middle of riding.
Correct approach:
Replenish water every 30-40 minutes of riding. Even if you don't feel thirsty, you should drink water regularly to avoid dehydration affecting your riding performance.
Long-distance riding requires energy replenishment: it is recommended to carry energy bars, pectin or bananas with you to avoid fatigue caused by a sudden drop in blood sugar.
Eat in advance, don't wait until you are hungry to eat: energy is consumed quickly during riding, and it may be too late to eat when you are hungry.
6. Failure to comply with traffic rules will increase the risk of riding
Misconception: Going against the flow, running red lights, changing lanes without looking behind... These behaviors are not only dangerous, but may also affect the safety of other road users.
Correct approach:
Obey traffic rules and obey traffic lights like cars when riding to avoid danger.
Learn correct hand gestures, such as extending your hand in advance before turning, to ensure that the vehicle behind you can see your intention.
Try to drive to the right and avoid occupying the motor vehicle lane when riding in the city.
7. Ignore the daily maintenance of road bikes
Misconception: Many novices believe that road bikes do not need regular maintenance, which results in poor speed changes, accelerated chain wear, and even failures.
Correct approach:
Clean the chain and transmission system regularly. It is recommended to clean and re-lubricate every 200-300 kilometers of riding.
Check the brake system, especially the disc brakes, for abnormal noise and excessive wear of the brake pads.
Check the tires regularly to ensure normal tire pressure and avoid blowouts due to tire aging or tread wear.
For novices, you may encounter various problems during riding, but as long as you master the correct methods, you can avoid these common mistakes and improve the safety and fun of riding. If you are a novice, please share your riding experience in the comment area so that more people can benefit from your experience!