Have you always enjoyed cycling? Would you now like to try it at a higher level? Is the thought of new, expensive equipment a little overwhelming? Do you feel you could do it with some help? No problem! We want to make your start to riding a racing bike easier, so please feel free and use the answers to these frequently asked questions. That means you can soon start pedalling without a worry and pursue your passion.
Cycle training for beginners: things to bear in mind at the start
Overall, of course, you never forget how to ride a bike. Just get on and get going. However, there are many aspects in the way a traditional road bike differs from a racing bike. It starts with how they look: at first sight, you’ll notice that racing bikes do without quite a few elements that are the standard for road bikes: no bell, no light, no mudguard or any other attachments. There’s a simple reason for this: no unnecessary weight.
The name indicates the main purpose of the racing bike: a competitive race. When performance is compared, it’s all about speed and winning, of course. That doesn’t mean that you must have competitive ambition if you want to keep physically fit on a racing bike.
Another huge difference between the bike types is handling:
- a racing bike has narrow handlebars which reduce air resistance. Furthermore, the curved design allows various positions during the ride. Initially, you should position your hands on the highest point of the handlebars. That ensures you are close to the brake. When you feel more confident, you can place your hands further down. The lower riding position is more aerodynamic so you can accelerate more effectively.
- A racing bike’s gears are quite confusing to many beginners because they are not as straightforward as on a traditional road bike. For each brake lever, there are two switching options, a black lever and a brake lever that can be moved inwards. With a little practice, you will quickly recognise the difference and learn how to change gears.
- A racing bike’s handlebar position when taking corners is different from road bikes. Because of the hard tyres, the racing bike responds more quickly, increasing the speed in corners. Steering is used much less compared with a road bike. In this way, you can maintain your speed. With a little time and practice, you will get a feeling for corners.
Compression Sleeves Upper Leg: a powerful aid for your thighs In order to effectively support your muscles during training sessions and counteract early fatigue, our thigh sleeves provide you with powerful, medically effective compression from the first moment you spend in the saddle.
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How do I work out my saddle height and sitting position?
The right saddle height and sitting position are equally important for racing and road bikes. After all, you don’t want any pain to develop. If your saddle area is not set up correctly, it may lead to knee, neck and buttock pain or calf cramps.
Measuring the inside leg length: Start by measuring your inside leg length. While wearing shoes, stand with your back against a wall. You will need a folding ruler and a narrow object, such as a book, for the measurement. Place it between your legs, at the upper end towards your groin, and position the folding ruler next to it on the floor. Read the measurement at the top edge of the book or object. This will provide you with your inside leg length which we will need for the next step.
Setting up the saddle height: The following formula will help you: inside leg length (cm) * 0.885. Use the measurement from the first step and multiply it by 0.885. Transfer the measurement from this calculation to the distance between the middle of the bottom bracket and the upper edge of the saddle, which you can also measure with a folding ruler or tape measure. Then secure your saddle at exactly this height.
In order to adjust the inclination of the saddle, you will need a spirit level. Saddles can have different widths. The important thing is that yours fits your pelvis. In addition, it’s important that the saddle is horizontal at the front. Place the spirit level on the longitudinal axis of the saddle. The angle should be between -3 and +3 degrees to provide the perfect sitting comfort.
Overall, of course, you never forget how to ride a bike. Just get on and get going. However, there are many aspects in the way a traditional road bike differs from a racing bike. It starts with how they look: at first sight, you’ll notice that racing bikes do without quite a few elements that are the standard for road bikes: no bell, no light, no mudguard or any other attachments. There’s a simple reason for this: no unnecessary weight.
The name indicates the main purpose of the racing bike: a competitive race. When performance is compared, it’s all about speed and winning, of course. That doesn’t mean that you must have competitive ambition if you want to keep physically fit on a racing bike.
Compression Sleeves Lower Leg: power during training, optimised recovery after Pedalling even more powerfully on level ground and pushing your limits on inclines: our resilient calf sleeves will support you with their circulation-stimulating compression. They are also the first step to effective and fast recovery after training.
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