Advice and assistance please

[Canaris]

Sharleen, it is possible to go on the road with a mtb, but not possible to go on the trails with a road bike.  Guys who a serious about cycling have at least one road bike and one MTB bike.  Some have even more. 

 

For starters begin on a Mtb at Northern Farm.  Make some cycling friends and keep it social.  (Holy Roller's mine dump rides and Calabash's rides are great places to meet fellow hubbers).

 

Roadies (Road cyclists) are a bit "stuck up" and will expect you to ride at their pace and in a tight bunch, which for a novice can be a bit intimidating. 

 

Also, rather buy a decent (right sized)bike with minimum deore/LX groupset  than get caught up in the never ending "upgrade" mentality.

 

good luck.

ps search for slowbee's threads, as they have a lot of pervious advice on many of the issue you are interested in.

[sharleen]

hello all, thank you so so much for all of your responses. Ok this is what i think i clearly need to do is EDUCATE myself. I am going to go to a few cycling shops in the new year as i have no idea what some of the words even mean eg "stand over".............what that, gotta stand over you seasoned riders at 4.9" nah im kidding. Also what i have worked out is that i want to be able to do both if possible. I would like to go cycling with a bunch of people in the outdoors, dirt road, bumps , falls trees etc, BUT also when i dont have time to ride on the local roads, I live in Gallo Manor so i have great road like Kelvin drive and South Rd.

 

So what is the correct terminology as a start for when i go into the shops.

 

what is real outside riding called (in nature, not about speed just dirt, bumps and challengers)

 

what is normal road cycling called.

 

i really appreciate your help everyone, if any of you have time please can you answer my basic questions i.e real nature riding and road riding and of course can my bike be used for both.

 

Shar (mini rider)

[SwissVan]

She did mention that she would like to start "off road" cycling.

 

sorry I read' date=' start off "road cycling".  My mistake.

[/quote']
Man, Joe just threw a spanner in the works.

Hi There no you may have a good point, im so new to this that i perhaps i have the terminology incorrect, i want to be able to go with a group and cycle in amongst nature, dirt roads etc BUT also be able to cycle with others on the roads in JHB, so no spanner thrown, but if you could tell me if they are the same thing, do cyclists do both and use the same bike. In other words if i got a mountain bike would i be able to use that bike for outdoors as in nature etc and up and down my local roads.

 

Shar

 

 

 

Hi Sharleen - Yes a mountain bike can be used for both road and natural (off road) riding. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

People do use 1 bike (mtb) for both on and off road.

Sometimes they will change the tyres depending on which surface they are riding.

i.e. off road = knobbly tyres and road = slick or smooth tyres.

Off road tyres work fine on or off road, but slick road tyres are not advisable for off road unless you have advanced riding skills.

 

If you think you will stick to cycling my advice when buying your first bike would be to buy the best you can afford at the time. Often people start off with a bike that is well within their budget and after a few months (once the bug has bitten) of riding they want to upgrade to something better and are faced with another expense.

 

 

[Canaris]

off road is called Mountain Biking.  This is normally done on "Jeep" track, single track, "half track" and gravel roads.  In Sabie in rivers and mud as well.

 

on road cycling is called "road cycling" or "Are you f****** mad?"

 

Cycling on road (on a mtb) with roadies (road cyclists) is known as fairy hunting, especially when you attack and leave them in yor dust.

 

On bike set up, there are two measurements that are critical (JB may corretc me).  Both are rather invasive so get a girl to do it.  THe first is the Inner seam measurement.  (Crotch to floor) which determines bike height (and size) otherwise known as stand over height.  THe other is known as reach which is the length of arms and torso divided by a magical number ext.  Most bike shops just ask you to sit on the bike and hold the handle bars.  If you are comfortable then it is a fit.  (Here stem length and handle bar height are manipulated to get this fit)

 

O yes ask if you can test the bike in the parking lot for comfort before buying anything.  On a MTB remember to ride both the hardtail (with no rear shock) and the dual suspension of the brand you are settling on.  THe dual sus is normally about 2K more expensive but may be worth it in comfort and handling.

[SwissVan]

 

....as i have no idea what some of the words even mean eg "stand over".............what that' date='...

 

 [/quote']

 

Stand over height - This is the size of the gap between the top tube (part of the bike frame) and uhm.. (i hate this word) your crotch as measured when you are standing with both feet on the ground and the bike is between your legs.

 

Standover height is usually measured in cm's or "fingers" and normaly ranges between 2 (min) and 10 (max).

 

In other words like when you stop cycling and put both feet on the ground and your bum is off the saddle. This is quite critical cause if the gap is to small or non exsistent it makes stopping and getting off an unpleasant experience.

 

Refer to the attached link for a pretty comprehensive web site that provides some explanations of the jargon...

 

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html

 

 

 

 

 

SwissVan2008-12-31 01:38:25

[Moab]

Okay.... so simple solution - we need to get you to try out both! I work in Sunninghill so can ride with you after work.

 

Mountain bike is generally more fun and social. Road cycling is highly social but is best done as a group (ie friends or a club). Fortunately for you in Joburg there is plenty of nice mtb stuff. Bike Park and Northern Farms are just 2 of the nice stuff to start with.

 

So.... go look at bikes but also keep your eye out on the Hub. I will email you pics as soon as I have them of the one my friend is selling to give you an idea.

 

As a girl, go to Mikes Bikes - there was a topic here 2 weeks about the girly bike store thing posted by Noobie. Gale can give you some help. Trust me: things are different for us gals and dont believe everything a guy tells you. First thing: saddles ARE important for a girl. Get a good one or you will suffer. Shorts are also nb - boys shorts are NOT the same.

 

If you need anything just ask us.

 

My number is..... I emailed it to you. If you need anything.

[Johan Bornman]

There's a grammatical funny here that needs to be cleared up:

 

"I'd like to start off road cycling" is different to

 

"I'd like to start off-road cycling"

 

So is it mtb or road we're looking at.

 

 

 

Panda bear eats' date=' shoots and leaves.

[/quote']

 

 

Aaaah, a man who thinks like me.

 

For some real treasures go over to the body art thread and savour the tattoo's. 

 

Out of principle I'll never buy from Phase One CD's - and as for all the suburban video shop who rent DVD's.

 

Wanna join the ALM (Apostrophe Liberation Movement)?

[Edition 507]

road cycling is called "road cycling" or "Are you f****** mad?"

 

 

I agree with KonaFan's sentiments. Sharleen, forget road cycling for the time being. Road traffic nowdays is extremely intimidating, not to mention dangerous, for novices and seasoned pros alike. So start with a Mountain Bike, and if the bug bites and you want to ride road as well, or even do some road races like the 94.7, then your Mountain Bike will be quite suitable for this as well.

[Moab]

I agree - start mtb.

I started mtb and rode a number of road races on my mtb including 94.7, argus, fast one, liberty life before i even thought of getting a road bike. A mtb is a very versatile bike. You can pound it in races, you can coddle it on the road.... It is a fun bike to have. Just go with something that is upgradable - my silverback was not so I had to buy a new one.

Can this day be over?? I see my mtb on the back of my car!! I want to go play.  That will happen to you too!!

[Comebackboy]

So when are you taking me on this glorious quest to find a passion for mountain biking??

[Moab]

So when are you taking me on this glorious quest to find a passion for mountain biking??

 

You tell me! How about today? Or.... Join us at 1pm on Saturday. Or... Northern Farms on Sunday?

[Moab]

So when are you taking me on this glorious quest to find a passion for mountain biking??

[Comebackboy]

So when are you taking me on this glorious quest to find a passion for mountain biking??

 

You tell me! How about today? Or.... Join us at 1pm on Saturday. Or... Northern Farms on Sunday?

Today?? I dont want to go into the new year sitting in the hospital!! Maybe saturday might work... not sure yet... You say you have a small Mtb?? What pedals do you have?? might bring my pedals with...

[Moab]

I have a small mtb with spd pedals on (the half flat, half spd type so spds or normal takkies will do). Feel free to bring your pedals. It is a 7speed bike but will be fine for this type of riding.

We leave from 38 Riverlair, Hornbill road (cnr Comry and Hornbill) Douglasdale. 1pm. Heading out towards Spruit then up the Spruit to Emmerentia.

Will pm my cell nr