11 Most Useful Beginner Bike Tips Seasoned Cyclists Will Preach to You

[@rangersmith4652]

Absolutely, clean your bike. A clean bike, especially a freshly cleaned and lubed chain, makes everything better. I don't do it often enough.

[@maxsievers8251]

It's even better when you wax your chain. Unsolicited extra tip: Use three chains simultaneously. Just exchange them when you notice they need to be waxed again and then clean and wax all three chains in one go. If you are on a longer trip - like Zach is at the moment - you can also reapply wax from a squeeze bottle.

[@Dizcinger]

@@maxsievers8251 idk how to remove a chain from my frame lol

[@bigbadstretch13yrago]

@@Dizcingerchain tool/chain breaker😊

[@iknowzeverything2740]

Wax is garbage@@maxsievers8251

[@danielnolan2920]

A Penny Farthing suffers no drivetrain efficiency losses.

[@malcontent_1]

In my experience, I think you're right that many beginners do under-size their first bike(s), but a large percentage of intermediate & experienced riders are on bikes that are too big or poorly fitted.

[@kokonut5]

I ride fixed and an enduro/downhill bike. Brakes are essential for me even when riding fixed. I live in a fairly hilly city and learning when to backpedal and when to actually use my front brakes is a must. Having brakes IMO actually made me faster and more confident in the way I ride. I think the problem is when people ride brakeless for so long they forget how to feather/modulate their brakes in an emergency.

[@pedro4pegs]

thats so true I ride brakeless but I feel like its not for the average cyclist(even if fixed) and it actually makes you go slower because of the fear factor. I can go so much faster with brakes because I know I have some way of stoping if needed.

[@NaniJapaneseForWhat]

I'm ride both too, but started with MTB. Honed my stoppies and front braking's been great ever since, even in emergencies, even rode down a trail once with mostly the front brake. Though on my fixed, I do run it brakeless, two reasons are to keep the bike simple and as a thief deterrent.

[@MsTatakai]

Brakes is a thing many ppl should learn it seems... because brakes are not made to lock your wheels... they are made to slow down your bike until it stops enventually... SO ithink it should use brakes in phases... phase 1 low pressure too slow a little, phase 2 medium pressure to almost lock your tires but not enough to lock and slide , phase 3 lock your tires and slide even however you .probably stalled if you made all the phases prior. with a bit of experience you do this all day long without notice. I'm just saying... but brakeless seems really 0 safe ... when i was little my dad removed my front brake to me be safe... guess what, if it was safer brakeless i think it would remove both brakes but whatever ... parenting at his best but he tried at least XD

[@markkubsch1257]

@@pedro4pegsSlow is safe. And on a fixed gear bike you can make up that "loss" easily as it is built for accelerating and sprinting.

[@BlaineRush-b8h]

No idea how you can be an adult can not understand how to not lock the brakes. Even a child figures it out after the first time they squeeze too hard.

[@WesternUranus]

Beginner tip : have a front brake (and learn how to use it) Brakes are only death when you don't understand them. They actually make you faster (and safer) by allowing you to brake later and harder instead of having to back-pedal before every single intersection or mildly sketchy situation. You can choose to ride fast brakeless in a dense urban area but you'll die and/or kill someone within a couple of days. You also won't be covered by your insurance without a brake and will thus have to pay for everything yourself. Think about it. Would you go rock-climbing without a rope ? Would you leave your house without locking the door ? No. Then why ride without a brake ? There is nothing cool or hardcore or proper in

[@markkubsch1257]

No brakes = more control. More control = more safe.

[@event4216]

This is one of Zach's most passionate videos....everything spot on. And finally well explained why Wabi is a good company - they put smaller wheels on small size bike - just like it should be (small bikes don't work really well with 700c wheels) and allow to pre-customize your bike, saving money if you know what you want from your bike.

[@steveg.3022]

I’ve already had to replace my helmet due to a crash, about a year ago. Only been riding since beginning of Covid pandemic. BTW … helmet saved my from a bad cranial injury and/or a concussion. Good that this tip is #1.

[@jimmyjakes1823]

Body position in braking is crucial. There's a million videos and articles on lactic acid, FTP, power meters, but you don't really hear much about cornering, descents, braking technique and other basic bike handling techniques. I remember getting back into cycling as an adult and being scared on the descents, riding the brakes all the way down hills. Basically, you need to flatten your chest out low against the top bar, equal weight on both feet, brace your arms and get your butt behind the saddle when you hit the brakes. Smooth on/off braking technique with the lever is important too. There's more to it than that, but at that point it's really hard to stoppie the bike in a straight line brake to the extent that it would send you over the bars.

[@jonathangapay1724]

I put a disc brake fork on my fixed gear. 😅 good for emergency stops.

[@dominicmorones8314]

Same! Plus they don’t look as goofy 😎

[@richeeg3271]

They look so much goofier tf

[@TheMihaeli]

Now just add the shifters and you have a real bike.

[@jonathangapay1724]

@@TheMihaeli oh I have 3 of those as well.

[@Dizcinger]

@@richeeg3271 lmaooo

[@98percentGorilla]

There is no spoon. There are no rules. I'm an old guy now but I was a courier in London for a few years in the early 80s, I've ridden track for 42 years and still ride fixed on the road every single day and what I've learned is learning from others is always good but as long as you've thought about it and decided to do what you're doing for a reason that makes sense to you then you're doing it right and everything is as cool as cats. I do highly recommend the zen like calm induced by lubing the links in your chain individually though.

[@razert71]

There is a rule: ride often and keep your cheeks clean.

[@craigfoulkes]

Also lower your saddle. 😂 most bike fit problems are from people with the saddle too high. About 90% of the time. Also most people get bikes with too large a frameset size because the standard bike size from manufacturers tend to give people a big that is too big.

[@Nobreakmedia]

I’m 5’5 and ride a 49cm frame set(retrospective drome v2) and I love my bike fit. Almost everyone say that I need a bigger frame set for my size but I beg to differ. I tell people try different sizes, different components lengths. I got my frame for 10p bucks and didn’t know hoe small it was. But it’s my daily and I love it so much. Thank u Zach for the new information

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

That's actually pretty close to bang on. I have a 5'5" mate who insists he rides a medium but since I ride a medium at 5'10" and it's on the big side for me, there ain't no way. Pogacar and Jonas are both 5'10" and both ride 54cm bikes. That should be your starting point.

[@malcontent_1]

#12: consider using a blinky rear light even in the daytime -- any warning/notice you can give to those all- too-often distracted drivers is a good idea

[@matthewgrice5411]

Just so you know we tend to fear getting hit from behind but the front and side is how most colisions come at bikes.

[@malcontent_1]

@@matthewgrice5411 okay, good point; perhaps I'm irrationally confident, since I _think_ I'll see cars coming from the front or sides (hmph...more lights)

[@troywalters125]

Ranks near the top of my least favorite cycling trends…

[@mikheilburnett527]

Perfect timing, just got my bike yesterday. State 4130 baby!!

[@Relevant_Irrelevance]

i live on steep streets with 8-10% gradients everywhere. brakes are essential and are not death, at least for me 😅

[@maxsievers8251]

When you ride brakeless for years and then install brakes for a ride on the mountains braking might not be safe because you forgot how to properly brake.

[@techguy9023]

Brakeless is a thing? Not in the mountains

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

Yup, front brake does most of the work. I wish more people understood that lol

[@vincekerrigan8300]

Yes, but you don't jam it on, you read the road and feather it.

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

@@vincekerrigan8300 can't really read the road in emergencies during which you have to stop as fast as possible

[@brian_jake]

​@@TheSpaceBrosShow what 😐

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

@@brian_jake what to you mean what

[@gonootropics2.065]

Tuck in your shoe laces

[@chaselucero5380]

Yes bro😭

[@clacclackerson3678]

Good tip. I learned the hard way.

[@GeraldGuevara]

I think it's better to be just 1 size too small than 1 size too big. You can always add a longer stem length and longer saddle post, but if it's too big, you can't chop up the frame to make it smaller. Bonus for having a 1 size too small of a frame, it will be a little lighter and little stiffer. I know, but their marginal gains, that people pay premium for.

[@ecumenicalheretic]

I hate chain lube and the mess it creates no matter how "dry" manufacturers claim they are. I was one step away from buying a belt driven bike when I stumbled upon paraffin wax and I won't ever use lube again.

[@ichbrauchmehrkaffee5785]

I adjusted my saddle not too long ago to a more appropriate height. Completely transformed the riding experience.

[@vessel.001]

SADDLE HEIGHT: There's a trick to get the correct height in just 1 or 2 adjustments using your body as a guide: First, eyeball your saddle height while standing over the rear wheel, using the height of your waistline as a start. Mount your bike, put your heels on the pedals and directly over the spindle, and slowly ride around like that for a minute. Try to keep your upper body as static as possible while doing so. If you can fully extend your leg (the sweet spot is, when you can switch between slightly bent and locked-out knee going over the deadspot without any problems) at the bottom of each pedal stroke, while pedaling like mentioned, without your hips tilting from left to right like a see-saw, you got the correct height. Basically, the rule of thumb is, if you got knee pain (resulting from unusual strain on the joint through unergonomic load transfer), your saddle's most likely too low, if you got lower back pain (resulting from the see-saw motion of the hips), it's most likely too high. There's a catch tho: Knee pain can also sometimes occur when the saddle's too high (this results from the overextension of the knee), but when, it's almost always in combination with lower back issues. Do a few kilometres of normal riding and adjust accordingly. If adjusted correctly, you should be able to, at least, ride a century w/o any unusual pain besides just being a little sore. This only works for platform pedals and normal shoes! If you ride clipless pedals, get the correct height using the above method, measure* your height from center BB to top of saddle along the seattube, apply to the relevant bike and feel it out from there. Also your cleats should already be positioned correctly for that to work properly. PS: Note that the height changes, when the crank arm length changes! For example, switching from 170mm to 175mm cranks results in a 5mm lower saddle height and vice versa. PPS: Your saddle should be level to the ground +/- 5°, cuz: too much fore tilt = numb hands, too much aft tilt = numb crotch. But that's a whole different story. I probably could write a novel about this, because there are so many variables to consider, but I'll leave it at that now as this is already too much info at once haha. Anyway, hope this helps! #unsolicitedadvice #justmytwocents #eachoneteachone #whatthefckisakilometre *learn to use metric ffs lol. it's just logical. ain't nobody got time to remember how many yards are in a mile.

[@ddg227]

Slayer tips! How can I find the "correct" stem length without bike fitting data though?

[@Nguyengrays]

So let’s say you have the saddle height just right that you can fully straighten your leg. I would lower it a bit so that it will be more comfortable plus you can pull the pedal upward quite easily when it is behind so you’ll be going faster

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

Simpler way to do it is put the heel of your shoe on the pedal at the 6 o'clock position. You should be able to touch the pedal only just.

[@GinaLollobrigida734]

@@hendrixinfinity3992 "heel of your shoe on the pedal" - that is the best way. agreed.

[@manueldeubler1127]

Here is a useful advice from a roadie. Ride your bike as much as you can!

[@jsnklsr5639]

good tipps. just some few notes: bike fitting the way you explain it can work as much as how much clearance there is for your private area - it depends on the bike. I would argue that most people buy their bike size which is their t shirt size, small, medium, large, etc and most of them are too big nowadays... less of a concern on a mtb than road ...You are a tall lenky guy, that's why it might have been too small. second. brakes are not death. I am sure you did not mean it the way it came across to me...your habits of going breakless led you to not know how to brake correctly. emergency breaking with your front brake also does not throw you over your bike, when you know that you must shift your weight back and it becomes second nature (habits, again). having breaks makes you faster overall, but that's not the appeal of fixie (for me)

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

Agreed on braking. It's so much second nature now that I can remain seated when braking hard because I understand how to modulate the brakes. Disc brakes are getting better for this but they're still far short of rim brakes for the application. I really hate to see the industry make the switch because these are brakes designed to stop motorbikes and cars going 60-80mph. It's completely unnecessary.

[@Rosegold.energy]

Very fitting that you talked about remember how much fun they are with the laughter of children in the background 😊

[@theDude9750]

Come visit the Netherlands and we'll show you how it's done

[@notarabbit1752]

Tip 12: get a dad-mirror for your helmet

[@Roboprogs]

Weird tip: I have to wear mine on my right (dominant) eye, or I get a headache. Of course, I have to turn my head just a bit to see something close behind me.

[@christianishima7098]

4:38 love seeing the American river bike trail I keep forgetting you are based in Sacramento we should ride sometime

[@DefaultUsername156]

Those chrome lugs though ❤

[@banjomechanic]

The tire pressure awareness totally changed my cycling. I didn’t think it would make that much difference, and I was wrong about that!

[@newoldsteel]

I’m guilty of on purpose getting a frameset smaller than I should because I LOVE long stems lol 😅

[@malcontent_1]

Yeah & it's *_way_*_ easier_ to make a frame that's too small fit properly than one that is too large -- according to bike fitters

[@ashurany]

All good recs. RE: #1-To each their own and not meant as a criticism of others, but I've seen my share of folk that seem to me to have forgotten about the joy of just riding, many of them buying into so much industry hype about the next best blingy tech etc. I admit that I bought into it for quite awhile, but came to realize that chasing after the next new best thing wasn't for the most part, making my riding experience better or me happier. But it was lightening my wallet :)

[@cwbycarl]

honestly, i don't trust anyone who can't give me bike advice without being condescending and rude. Had one of my LBS's tell me my fit was wrong (which was odd to me because my bike fit me like a dream, especially after searching for an affordable 'XXL' build for YEARS), but two mechanics worked on my bike, and one or the other messed with my fit without informing them and i guess they presumed i was riding with the wrong fit, so they readjusted my bike to some preconceived notion of what my fit should be without even bothering to fit me , and after a week my shoulder blades and quads are messed up. Once I realized the issue on my weekend ride, i adjusted my fit and have decided to trust my gut as well the other shop i like more. They are more blunt, and not condescending which is wholly my language.

[@carl8568]

Damn, no love for Looper? Don't tell me you haven't seen that one. I'm gonna have to check out Premium Rush.

[@davidramirez199]

I like the color of your bike, the same as my room. Also, good info. , thanks.

[@endymion2300]

I'm still using a front brake. i have a bad ankle and can't skid, so i only use backpressure to slow down. i definitely need a brake for fast stops and in case of a drivetrain malfunction. [which happens pretty regularly for me. i'm a big guy, ride in mostly urban environments, and put a lot of stress on my equipment. chains snap, pedal spindles snap, and even sheared the rear axle into two pieces one time. it's not super common, but something goes wrong maybe once or twice a year, and i'd definitely be in over my head without a brake.]

[@vincekerrigan8300]

You can not control a bike by backpedalling - that is just stupid. Use two brakes and you have full control.

[@heated817]

Helpful tip: the carbs in beer prevent a bonk

[@J47470]

Helpful video Zach❤ Love all you're videos !

[@OITW]

I like how you bring up cleaning. I don't think about it often, but it's such a simple task that really changes my mindset about the quality of my ride. I usually do a basic wipe down, and I know I'm missing some spots since I'm not even doing any kind of washing. The distance/time you give as a gauge for when to clean things up is also helpful. Nice tips; great video--keep it up! Also, your bit about having a communications degree is funny to me. I often think about my English degree in the same light 😂

[@jamesrafael6794]

Watch Breaking Away too. Thats an unsolicited advice.

[@ryankim4156]

Where was this video 7 years ago when i first started riding fixed haha. Love your videos man I am planning on sending in a bike check soon

[@aquilonianace4791]

I just started riding a BMX instead of my road bike. Completely wrong bike for riding, but it's really fun!

[@BodieOutdoors]

I really enjoyed the tips, and how well you presented the information. I need that degree rofl! 🤣

[@1Tosya]

Спасибо Зак! у тебя хорошие видео

[@jonsonj5249]

As a daily commuter for many years in both subzero and warm weather, on both pawed and dirt roads, please remember to only adjust speed with your front brake, and brake with your back brake. Having your front wheel lock up is a sure way to never biker again. If your back wheel loose tracktion you're much more likely to end on your side. The safer option. This goes especially in cold weather. Telling newcomers otherwise is a bit unresponsible imho.

[@troywalters125]

This is wrong. You do need to shift your weight back, but telling people to stay off their front brake…keeps them in a state of perpetual beginner. In braking, the rear is ineffectual.

[@event4216]

btw...thanks to Zach I've tried mirror like his. On my 100km ride I turned my head back about 300 times less and my neck thanked me.

[@Flyingredcactus]

Good advices and good tuto for life on how to speak to people

[@correcthoarsebatterystaple]

LeMond method is a good start for saddle height. It’s very easy to strain the backside of your leg with too high a saddle

[@charlcoetzee93]

Your brake problems seem to stem from you not being totally familiar and comfortable with your brakes.. I dont ride fixed gear, and I basically unconsciously control when and how much I rely on the front vs the rear brake by this point. But you do overshoot the limits when learning though

[@WokeSpokes]

Bro. Great stuff! Excellent.

[@jonathancrincoli6263]

The proper way to demonstrate stand over height is to stand over. Put one hand behind you and one in front on the top tube. Pull the top tube up until it hits. Then measure distance from ground to tires.

[@0SW13]

zach "buttery smooth" gallardo

[@T33K3SS3LCH3N]

0:30 there is a good way to convince kids who think that helmets are "uncool" as well: Every pro cyclist wears one, because it lets you ride harder. You can't win a race if you're dead, so wearing protective gear (and especially a helmet) lets you ride closer to the limits instead of having to hold back.

[@troywalters125]

Helmets were made mando in races during the 80’s. Before that, 2-3 riders died/yr-at most. Today, 2-3 pro riders die/yr. Per capita it’s likely fewer deaths, but the cult of the helmet is real. Reality isn’t what you think. Visit Holland before you join the cult, K?

[@TimR123]

I’m with you on almost all of your advice here. Well told. The exception is about brakes. Brakes are death for track and fixies. But for most types of bikes the better advice is to learn to use them well. Balanced application and feel the edge so you don’t accidentally lock. Front is where the power is but requires caution as you mention. Rears alone wont stop you quickly. But balanced application and weight shift does wonders. Dirt is a great place to learn this.

[@BoomerangVillage]

Front brake is not death on a fixed gear bike. It's a redundant way to stop in an emergency in case something goes wrong with your chain, cranks, pedals, straps or legs. Anyone who thinks fixies don't need brakes is an irresponsible hooligan. Track is a different story for two reasons: 1) most track riders are experienced bike handlers. 2) track riders have an unobstructed lane ahead of them to continue rolling if they fail to stop. Track riders almost never need to perform an emergency stop.

[@YungStinkyWinky]

This is the same as saying "well sure, condoms may be 95% effective at preventing pregnancy, but only if you wear them". Like yeah no DUH. Learn to use your brakes, use them properly, and they'll save your life.

[@J47470]

I always stop using my rear break first

[@vincekerrigan8300]

Brake!

[@allmightymyself8205]

Love that you Start whit the Helmet! IMO People whit out a helmet cycling look stupid.

[@hectorpinol7951]

Yo Zach you’re a Gánster in this bike game. I sent this video to my sister to motivate her cyclist spirit. Thank you bud hair looking wild!

[@trishaleaver3581]

Love purple bikes! Great video! Keep them coming😀

[@lostcat9lives322]

It's not purple, it's lavender.

[@scubawithatuba]

Zach, Terry B and John Hicks are the best bike-youtubers out there! God, I can't thank you enough for the work you put into these videos! PS: I've ridden fixed my whole life and put a front brake on once. Worst decision ever, I instantly ate shit and ruined my fork. Brakes are death, lol.

[@v3ks]

12:00 "i thought i could relly on my front brake" brother you were pedaling straight at a corner

[@oplkfdhgk]

5:27 as a shorter person i usually just buy bikes that are meant for teenagers. works pretty well and they are much cheaper too which is nice. :)

[@brayan8346]

I’ve bonked on every 50 mile ride I do in the cold. Still I do it again, the grocery store near the trail is just like “did you bonk again?” Also maybe it’s just me but I almost never use my front brake, it’s only my rear brake most of the time so I’ve never gone overboard. Including a huge downhill in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge.

[@jimmyjakes1823]

You're doing it wrong. If you're using the front brake the right way you won't go over the bars. The problem is that people think braking and cornering on a bicycle is supposed to be 2nd nature, but these are learned, technical skills that you have to practice. Learn the basic technique and practice in a parking lot. You'll see right away the difference between how quickly you stop with the front brake vs rear. It could end up saving you from a really nasty crash someday.

[@byronspencer8101]

I bought a ritchey but I am going to check out wabi. Thanks for the tips.

[@DocHoliday-dc5hj]

When I bonk I get cramps and when I try to refuel, I feel my neck muscle cramp up … it’s important hydration electrolytes and sugar

[@Kitiwake]

Well said on helmets.

[@irenebloodrose3886]

I am actually recovering from an accident on my bike a few months ago when I squeezed my front brake too hard and it flung me over the bars lmao. Fortunately no broken teeth but I couldn't work bc I sprained my back and lost my job.

[@vincekerrigan8300]

You should use two brakes and learn to feather them to scrub off speed.

[@irenebloodrose3886]

@@vincekerrigan8300 I normally do! It was just an emergency situation, it was either I brake or I hit the curb and get flung over anyway.

[@irenebloodrose3886]

I also want to add that I don't ride a fixie - I ride an electric mountain bike - I'm just REALLY into bicycles and Zach has some great video content so I will never ride with anything less than two disc brakes.

[@bjornlangoren3002]

Saddle too low hurts knees, too high hurts back.

[@TonysbrotherMike]

You have to make a video about bolt on cogs and whether or not the 6 bolt cogs that go on a disc brake hubs are good. im about to try and setup a gravel bike front wheel as my rear with a cog bolted onto the disc brake mount

[@prithvisubba6475]

Good practical advice 👍🏻

[@sergioa.orozco685]

The only reason I tell people to raise their saddle is because I have knee pain (that's why I cycle instead of running) so whenever I see people with very low saddles my knees grimace in pain as reflex

[@jimmyjakes1823]

It's true. This is tricky because if your saddle is too high, you'll know that pretty much right away. If it's too low though, it might feel ok but it's messing up your cartilage and killing your power.

[@ScottLive1]

I have the same take a look mirror attached to my eyeglass temples. Where is yours attached to?

[@jesseellis3126]

You should give waxing your chain a try and do a review!

[@AtomikNY]

For me, I don't really care about going as fast or efficiently as possible on my bike. Being comfortable while I ride is way more important to me than getting the theoretical maximum amount of bike movement per calories spent, so I much prefer an upright riding position. My back hurts just looking at sportier bikes where the handlebars are lower than the saddle.

[@Flashback_Jack]

The way I heard to properly size a bike is to sit on the bike with the seat at the correct height for you and put your hands on the top of the drops as you normally would. If you can see the front axle behind the bars, the bike is too big. Also, if you can see the front axle in front of the bars, the bike is too small.

[@Flashback_Jack]

@@nevermind3486 That advice was from a bike fitter.

[@Flashback_Jack]

@@nevermind3486 If that works for you, patent it. Be your own one man, one customer (you) business.

[@chrishart7300]

Bro, the lace button up. This is a massive goth flex. Where do you even buy such a thing? I don't normally watch for fashion but damn, that's a fly shirt, and I wanna buy one now.

[@KK-no7be]

Wish Wabi were in the UK as well.

[@mishydishy8577]

When's your next chicago group ride

[@jihra]

Great video

[@DangerAmbrose]

A helmet is probably the most important thing you should wear when cycling if your bike doesn't have any brakes. Otherwise, BRAKES are the most important thing to have on your bike.

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

It's also more important to use your brain than protect it.

[@troywalters125]

About 100 million people in the Netherlands think you should keep your opinions about helmets to yourself. I wear a helmet about 90% of the time, but the cult of the helmet is real (and not as charming as you might think). Great vid.

[@mfbfreak]

7:10 absolutely get a gauge. In my environment, however, i see people riding around on their commuter bikes with way too little in their tires. Often the sidewall specifies a lower limit here. For a standard dutch commuter tire, the pressure should usually be 3,5 to 5,5 bar. Any lower and you risk impact punctures from the rim 'biting' the inner tube when you hit a bump/tree root/intentionally go on or off a sidewalk, and the rolling resistance increases by a lot. It's very obvious here, sometimes i'm coasting down a bridge or viaduct while some folks in front of me are actively pedaling downhill to keep their speed. People really are clueless about how much influence it has. Personally i run mine at half a bar under the maximum. On the fairly smooth roads here that's comfortable enough and gives me a good while until i notice 'huh, why do i have to pedal that hard' and pressure's dropped to the lower limit.

[@kevinbourke4038]

So much comment on safety (wear a helmet, tighten straps etc) although, no mention at all, about having brakes to stop your bicycle in an emergency !

[@Oichief]

What shirt are you wearing? It looks like it could protect you from the sun while being super ventilated.

[@WredFawks]

Love the helmet mirror. I really need to pick one of them up one of these days. Got a recommendation?

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@cefnonn]

Fit mudguards! Fit a rear carrier! Oil your chain frequently and keep the tyres well inflated! Forget about a helmet, just be aware of the danger around you. And don't waste money on a flashy carbon bike unless you actually are a properly competitive racer.

[@wils6694]

PREACH SISTER PREACH

[@shadow8997]

Already experience no.2 cause my phone drop when i was abt to go to the bike shop then i press my front brake to hard and my bike did a 180⁰ turn and wlund my knee

[@myburneraccount669]

I prefer undersized

[@DrunkDrynasty]

I’m kinda worried I got the wrong frame size since I ordered my bike online. I’m 5’10 175lbs, but kinda have a long torso and arms. I got a size Medium because I’m (always) between a Medium and Large. Anyway, it just arrived and seems small, but oh well.

[@darwinsoriano6792]

I used wd 40 for cleaning my bik3. Not using water or soap. Is that crazy or ok?

[@ligmuhnugs]

Wd40 is great for cleaning grease and oil. Soap and water is better for dirt. I use rubbing alcohol on rims.

[@benjaminurzua8100]

Brakes are death if you dont know how to use them, its impossible to go over the handlebars if your body is far back enough, 11:55 seems like you didnt brake before the corner, and tried to use the front brake when the bike is supposed to be leaned, using the front brake straightens the bike up, making you go in a straight line, in corners only trail braking (rear) lightly to maintain speed, because you should scrub your speed before, not during.

[@mfbfreak]

Might i add: "Don't use flashing lights". These trigger target fixation from other road users. Target fixation is an absolute bitch and it'll happen to everyone at some point. If you want to be visible, use normal. As a related light-issue, point your damn 1W LED lights at the road if you're riding where there are street lights and other road users. They are as blinding to other traffic as the high beam of a car, if you point them straight ahead. In Germany, there are strict laws on the beam pattern of bicycle headlights which is a good thing. You set them horizontally and they'll light the road in front of you properly. In the Netherlands and in many other countries, there are no regulations. This does mean that the 'cone' shaped beam that LED lamps often give, needs to actively be pointed down at the road so the cone's top edge hits the road about 25-50 meters in front of you. Mine is mounted slightly loose for in case i ride somewhere where there's no street lighting at all, but i'll still have to tip it down if i meet another road user so i'm not doing the equivalent of being the bad cop in a dark interrogation room shining the desk light right at the suspect. Finally, learn to brake. Practice. Don't assume that you'll be able to use them in an emergency situation just from using them in normal situations everyday. If you're unsure of yourself, mount one of those brake force regulators/modulators that make the front brake less aggressive. It makes it very hard to lock up the front in dry weather. Once experienced enough you can remove it to squeeze out just a bit more brake force out of your brakes.

[@jimmyjakes1823]

Agree totally. Someone was riding down the road with some sort of ultra powered LED strobe light the other day. I don't have epilepsy, but it seriously felt like it could cause an epileptic attack. It was absolutely distracting me while I'm just trying to drive down the road and not hit anything. And I'm a cyclist, so I can't imagine how completely obnoxious that would be to regular motorists. It's true about practicing also. People think they don't need to do that since they've been riding bikes since they were kids, but cornering, braking, descents are all technical skills where it helps to know a little theory and to devote some dedicated practice time to.

[@mikerossi4741]

For safety, good bike lights are way more important to me than a helmet.

[@alphonseav986]

I mean, one's not better than the other! They're not comparable items. One allows you to see and/or be seen, the other adds a measure of protection to your head.

[@4KRESOLUTI0N]

Just as the other commenter said, these are incomparable since they serve a different purpose and even depend on circumstances.

[@docouchi7929]

The only bonking I feel is cramps in my leg and jaw when I begin eating

[@Lando_P1]

They make frames small enough for toddlers. Aren’t there teen bikes for small adults?

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Riding a steel frame is smoother than alloy. My second bike is aluminum, very hard. Both bikes, 27" and c700 are always pumped above maximum for maximum coast. I only ride on asphalt, w little hops to the sidewalk. Both bikes have horn shape handlebars where my hands are parallel w the bike. No big deal bending your elbows for speed. If you can swing bigger wheels, I'm 6 ft, get them. 26" or 24" wheels are rougher to ride. The saddle height thing has more to do with full leg extension on downstroke. (I ache when I see riders on the street seated riding a BMX bike.) I keep comfy saddles with coil springs to SIT on on SLOW rides. Mostly HAVE FUN and watch for increasingly bad drivers. Where I am I can't ride in traffic anymore. You can't entitle yourself out of getting killed on the road. Wear bright colors, lots of lights, loud bells, ANYTHING to be visible to distracted and bad drivers. Keep that helmet on. In a few minutes you even forget it's there. See you out there. Enjoy.

[@ThePyrosirys]

Brakes are life, actually. If you have problem with your breakes, follow tip #1 and get comfortable with your breakes

[@vincekerrigan8300]

Brakes!

[@saavichisays]

what kind of camera attachment vest thing was your boy rocking? with the other antenna cameras thing.

[@АбвгдеёжЗийклмн-г7ч]

wabi with chome lugs😍

[@mlevy88]

Hey Zach, what bike fit calculator do you recommend now? CC got rid of theirs

[@JSabh]

A horse has a saddle and I am pretty sure it takes all your weight and transfers it to the horse lol. Rodies are so snobby.