I'm going to learn to ride a bike

[Monty Dawson]

This summer I turn 25, and I don't know how to ride a bike.

But I'm going to learn! First I need to get a bike. and a helmet. Any recommendations?

I plan on mostly doing city riding. True, I hate people who ride their bikes on busy streets when I'm trying to drive, but since I live in the city I don't have much choice.

Oh, and just for fun:

[Yami Daimao]

Just because this gives me an excuse to post this:



Anyways, I don't know how to ride a bike myself. So I can't help you, sorry.

But at least you get a sweet song!

[Bam Neeley]

Consider getting kneepads.

And also consider getting a women's bike. If you lose balance of the bike the horizonal bar isn't on the way and doesn't trip you as you try to land on your feet. The frames are smaller but I have no problems with them and I'm 5"10

Also it's good for not hurting your balls.

[Monty Dawson]

May 12, 2011 12:52:14 GMT -5 Bam Neeley said:

Consider getting kneepads.

And also consider getting a women's bike. If you lose balance of the bike the horizonal bar isn't on the way and doesn't trip you as you try to land on your feet. The frames are smaller but I have no problems with them and I'm 5"10

Also it's good for not hurting your balls.

Knee Pads? I'd honestly rather not ride a bike than have to deal with THOSE jokes

["I'm Batman..."]

May 12, 2011 12:52:14 GMT -5 Bam Neeley said:

Consider getting kneepads.

And also consider getting a women's bike. If you lose balance of the bike the horizonal bar isn't on the way and doesn't trip you as you try to land on your feet. The frames are smaller but I have no problems with them and I'm 5"10

Also it's good for not hurting your balls.

i always wondered how come the women's bikes are designed that way. the men's are more injury prone.

[Predator McBroski]

I don't know how or want to ride a bike.

[default]

You don't really need a lot of bells and whistles, in my opinion.

Most 5 speeds compared to 10 or 12 speed bikes offer the same range, the 10 and 12s just offer more middleground which you likely won't notice. I believe my bike was 10 speed, my siblings all ended up with like 12+ but it got to the point I just road mine around on the hardest gear as I was more comfortable pushing my weight on them than having my legs flail around. Some higher speeds do offer more top end speed, but again, the majority of people who buy them don't need that especially if you're riding for leisure. Plus, dumping a bike going really fast isn't fun. I walked my bro home while he held what was left of his chin in his hand because he was flying down a hill.

But pretty much all you need a bike you feel comfortable riding. My dad always told me when looking a bikes to pick it up with your weaker arm and hold it off the ground to your side for a few minutes. That way in worst case scenario you know if it's too heavy or awkward if you have to carry it a ways. Then again, most bikes are fairly light these days. My 1990's 24" was way lighter than my 70's 20" banana seat bike.

Beyond that, a helmet is a good idea. Depending on how good the hand grips are, how sweaty your hands get or if they callous easily you may want gloves as well. Don't wear too baggy of jeans as the last thing you want to do is get the cuffs locked in the chain.

Also, if you end up with a bike with front and hand brakes, be careful. I never used the front brakes unless I felt I really had to as over time, the back wear down quicker and if you don't swap out the pads, you may eventually go flipping over the handlebars which apparently isn't fun. (My sister did that... complete somersault backflip onto asphalt). Oh, and ease on the brakes when ever possible. That just goes with the rest of the stuff.

[Massive G]

I'd invest in a comfortable seat.

I used to ride bikes all the time with my friends when I was younger. Then, bikes were no longer "cool" or whatever, but after some years, it was time for college. And then, riding a bike is often a faster way to get around a campus than walking, especially when automobile parking is often at a premium. And it was then that I re-discovered that riding a bike is really, really fun. Tiring, but fun as hell.

["Gentleman" AJ Powell]

I can't help you really. I gave up learning to ride & back & started to learn to drive instead.

[darthalexander]

I found it fairly easy to learn how to ride a bike...just don't do what I did and pay attention to what you are doing. Riding straight into a nice big parked car while going full speed is not something I highly recommend.

[Rumble McSkirmish]

Just remember if you get lost on your bike in the woods and cannot be found for days, blame it on Cornjob. ;D

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I can't believe there is people who don't know how to a ride a bike. I just thought it was one of those things every kid learned.

[Mister Pigwell]

Faster you go, the better your balance is.

[Yami Daimao]

May 12, 2011 16:56:01 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I can't believe there is people who don't know how to a ride a bike. I just thought it was one of those things every kid learned.

I had great balance on everything but a bike as a kid, strangely.

Plus when I wasn't outside playing with the rest of the kids on the block, I was inside either drawing, reading comic books, watching TV (cartoons, wrestling, etc.), playing with my action figures, or playing my SNES/Genesis.

...dammit, I miss being a kid.

[Bo Rida]

Watch the Fraiser episode where the Crane brothers learn to ride a bike, there’s probably some good tips in there and it has a scene where they go to buy the bike and use some helpful phrases, I love that episode.

[Throwback]

it's easier to learn if you are going fast.

[Monty Dawson]

May 12, 2011 14:05:48 GMT -5 default said:

You don't really need a lot of bells and whistles, in my opinion.

Most 5 speeds compared to 10 or 12 speed bikes offer the same range, the 10 and 12s just offer more middleground which you likely won't notice. I believe my bike was 10 speed, my siblings all ended up with like 12+ but it got to the point I just road mine around on the hardest gear as I was more comfortable pushing my weight on them than having my legs flail around. Some higher speeds do offer more top end speed, but again, the majority of people who buy them don't need that especially if you're riding for leisure. Plus, dumping a bike going really fast isn't fun. I walked my bro home while he held what was left of his chin in his hand because he was flying down a hill.

But pretty much all you need a bike you feel comfortable riding. My dad always told me when looking a bikes to pick it up with your weaker arm and hold it off the ground to your side for a few minutes. That way in worst case scenario you know if it's too heavy or awkward if you have to carry it a ways. Then again, most bikes are fairly light these days. My 1990's 24" was way lighter than my 70's 20" banana seat bike.

Beyond that, a helmet is a good idea. Depending on how good the hand grips are, how sweaty your hands get or if they callous easily you may want gloves as well. Don't wear too baggy of jeans as the last thing you want to do is get the cuffs locked in the chain.

Also, if you end up with a bike with front and hand brakes, be careful. I never used the front brakes unless I felt I really had to as over time, the back wear down quicker and if you don't swap out the pads, you may eventually go flipping over the handlebars which apparently isn't fun. (My sister did that... complete somersault backflip onto asphalt). Oh, and ease on the brakes when ever possible. That just goes with the rest of the stuff.

Thanks!

[Doctor Of Style]

If you're riding on the road, don't forget that stop signs and lights apply to you too. And the most important laws to pay attention to are the laws of physics, If a car hits you, you lose.

[Throwback]

May 12, 2011 19:23:33 GMT -5 Doctor Of Style said:

If a car hits you, you lose.

[Deleted]

It's been a very long time since the last time I ride a bike.