Newbie question

In article said:

Hello Group,

I started spinning on the road recently. As I pick up speed, I would
worry about the effectiveness of the brakes, and I would coast. How do
you deal with it? On the other hand, if I spin on the indoor stationary
bike, I feel it is more effective, but it is boring as hell.

I ride at sppeds I know I can control with the brakes, and occasionally
practice braking at speed so I feel comfortable riding a little faster.

-- Dan

--
Dan Cosley ([email hidden] * http://www.cs.umn.edu/~cosley/)
GroupLens Research Lab, Univ of MN (http://movielens.umn.edu/ * 612.624.8372)
*** Just a foot soldier in the Army of Truth ***

"Miles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello Group,

I started spinning on the road recently.

What's that?

Quoted message said:

As I pick up speed, I would
worry about the effectiveness of the brakes, and I would coast. How do
you deal with it?

Do you understand bicycle braking? Have you practiced hard braking? Are
your brakes working well? Check out Sheldon Brown's web site for articles
on braking and brakes.

Peter Cole said:

"Miles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello Group,

I started spinning on the road recently.

What's that?

Quoted message said:

As I pick up speed, I would
worry about the effectiveness of the brakes, and I would coast. How do
you deal with it?

Do you understand bicycle braking? Have you practiced hard braking? Are
your brakes working well? Check out Sheldon Brown's web site for articles
on braking and brakes.

Brakes san only do 2 things, too hard (over the handlebars) or too soft,
(hit the thing you wanted to miss). Side pull mountain bike brakes can
easily put you over the bars (did it to me), while the center pull that
is so popular at x-mart will barely slow you down. You can pretty much
lock up the back with any type but the front is what stops you in a hurry.
The older style, still in use type of side pull had a good balance of
stopping power versus pull on the brake handle. Some bikes you can
change brake styles if you like the bike otherwise.

Bill (not always politically correct) Baka

(Miles) said:

Hello Group,

I started spinning on the road recently. As I pick up speed, I would
worry about the effectiveness of the brakes, and I would coast. How do
you deal with it? On the other hand, if I spin on the indoor stationary
bike, I feel it is more effective, but it is boring as hell.

Build confidence one stop at a time. Find somewhere safe to play on the bike and
start testing the limits.

Trust me the brakes work, or damn well should. If they worked the last time
they'll work the next. Brakes don't go out suddenly.

Ron

Miles says...

Quoted message said:

Hello Group,

I started spinning on the road recently. As I pick up speed, I would
worry about the effectiveness of the brakes, and I would coast. How do
you deal with it? On the other hand, if I spin on the indoor stationary
bike, I feel it is more effective, but it is boring as hell.

Thanks.

Miles

Brakes are very effective. It is how you control the bike that is the
question.

Another thing that is annoying. When I pick up speed, I would lose
resistance when pedaling, which forces me to coast. Am I using the
wrong gear? I use fairly small gears; that is, I spin and do not mash.

Miles

"Miles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Another thing that is annoying. When I pick up speed, I would lose
resistance when pedaling, which forces me to coast. Am I using the
wrong gear? I use fairly small gears; that is, I spin and do not mash.

When you pick up speed, change to a higher gear (larger front / smaller
back). And watch out for trolls when crossing bridges.

--
Scott Ehardt
http://www.scehardt.com