General Discussion / Re: Just bought my first bike
« on: March 21, 2021, 09:38:53 am »Also, depending on how hilly your location is and how fit you currently are, the gearing may not be low enough for you.
I make a few recommendations:
1. If you have a knowledgeable friend or a local bike club member or a good local bike shop have them go over the bike with you be sure the size is close to right and to adjust the saddle height, bar position etc to fit. As noted above a professional fitting would be ideal but costly. Also, your best position will change as you ride more and adapt to the riding position.
2. Learn elementary mechanical skills. At least learn how to fix a roadside flat tire, do minor shifting and brake adjustments, chain lubrication, etc. A book covering modern bike care and feeding would be a worthwhile purchase and YouTube has a bunch of good (and not so good) tutorials on the subject.
3. Get a good floor pump and plan to use it before every ride or every two days if you ride a lot. Narrow, high pressure bike tires lose air a lot faster than auto tires or wide low pressure bike tire and have to be topped up frequently.
4. Enjoy the bike and ride it a lot!