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Quick Tips
Each issue of the free
RBR Newsletter
is geared toward helping you ride better and enjoy cycling more. Often, our tips
inspire subscribers to send theirs. Here's a collection, along with other
helpful news you can use.
Go to page 2
See more fantastic
feedback at Best of 'Your Turn!'
-
Road bike sizing is very easy: As a
general rule, take your pants inseam length, convert inches to
centimeters by multiplying by 2.54, then multiply that number by 0.7.
Round to the nearest cm. That's the size that should fit you fine. --
Anne
-
To remove the slotted screws in Look
cleats when they've become too worn for a screwdriver to turn, use a
Dremel moto-tool equipped with a cut-off wheel. Just spin it up (while
wearing eye protection), and the wheel will allow you to deepen worn
screw slots. After this, it's a snap to properly (and safely!) unseat
the screws. -- Ken T.
-
Never ride behind another rider
when using your aerobars (in a paceline or whatever). Use aerobars
only when in front or riding by yourself. I took my attention away for a
second, and when I glanced down I could see I was going to hit the front
rider's rear wheel. It all happened so quickly. I didn't have time to
get off the aerobars and use my brakes. Consequently, I touched the rear
wheel and was thrown off balance and crashed. Don't make the same
mistake! -- Kay J.
-
If you lube your chain like this
every 300 miles, you will not get any significant gunky buildup, and you
won't have to clean the chain. Although no lube is "perfect," in my
opinion ProLink is the best compromise.
1. Wipe the chain, cogs, pulleys and
chainrings clean with a rag.
2. Drip on lube while turning the chain forward so that the
chain just starts to drip lube. Aim the lube between the side plates and
between the bushings and side plates.
3. Run through all the gears several times, front and back.
4. Wipe the chain, cogs, pulleys and chainrings clean with
a rag.
5. Repeat 2-4 if the chain was really dirty.
6. Let the bike sit overnight before riding. -- Kerry I.
-
When lubing a chain, here's a trick
I've used for years: Mark a chain link with brightly colored nail polish
and start lubing at that link to keep track of where you are in the
process. Works great and lasts quite a while. -- Ironmike
-
To see a cool way to mount a frame pump, click
here.
-
The usual argument against CO2
cartridges is the cost. Well, not really -- if you buy them in the
paint ball section at Wal-Mart and use a C02
pump. Wal-Mart sells cartridges for about $8 for 15. Can't beat that! --
Mark C.
-
To
treat saddle sores, try an OTC anti-fungal powder called Zeasorb-AF.
It was recommended by my pharmacist and has promptly cleared up sores
for me. -- Jules Z.
-
For cold therapy on a sore knee or muscle, freeze one part
rubbing alcohol with two parts water in a large, strong zip-lock bag.
The consistency is slightly slushy, which makes it easy to place around
joints. It's very cold, so put a towel over your skin before applying
the bag. It can be used over and over. -- Joe L. and Doug J.
In RBR
newsletter issue No. 143, we reported a lubrication solution to
squeaking Look cleats. Here’s a digest of roadie feedback.
-
I changed from Look-brand
cleats to cheap generic cleats and voila -- no squeaks and no
need for lube. They do wear out faster, though. -- Hervey T.
-
Drip molten candle wax
into all gaps in and around the cleats, including the adapter plate (for
Carnac shoe wearers) and the rectangular bolt holes. Wax flows in, fills voids
and stays put. Then extinguish the candle and rub it all over the cleats and
pedals. Wax is dry and attracts zero dirt, but it’s still helpful to use cleat
covers when walking. -- Ron G.
-
Rub a bar of soap
on the tip and back of the cleat. It works for quite a while (at least here in
Arizona). I make it a habit at my regular bike washing time. -- Kelly H.
-
When I got my new Campy
Record Ti pedals I had the most annoying squeaking. I solved it by rubbing
beeswax on both the pedals and cleats. That was 4,500 miles ago and not
one squeak since. -- Fred S.
-
Can you stand one more tip
for Look cleats? Use a file or sandpaper at the point of contact at the
toe end -- not on the pedal but the cleat. Like brake pads, the cleat gets
glazed and harder and squeaks against the metal. -- Jim S.
-
To silence the infamous Sidi cleat adapter plate from squeaking,
cut a piece of felt in the shape of the plate, then place it between the
plate and shoe sole. Felt will give you the silent treatment longer than
any greasy stuff you put under the plate. -- Bill B.
-
Use neat’s-foot oil to
freshen and lubricate the leather plunger in old-style tire pumps.
It won’t rot the rubber hose or inner tubes. -- Chuck V.
-
Castor oil is a
great pump lube, especially for leather seals on the plunger. It doesn't
attack the leather. I've used it in Silca, Zefal and several other
brands of frame pumps with no problems. -- Larry A.
-
For raw skin around
the crotch during multiday riding, I have found nothing better than
Destin cream. It can be a little messy, but it doesn't sweat away and
definitely eases the pain. It's easy to find in any drugstore and comes
in several tube sizes. -- Tom R.
-
To dry wet cycling
shoes, use the refrigerator. The air exchanger at the bottom of the
fridge is just the ticket. The air is only warm so it doesn't hurt the
shoes, but it will normally do a fine job of drying them overnight. Just
remember not to trip over them when you go for your morning juice! --
Tom R.
-
To dry riding
clothes faster on tour, use inflatable plastic clothes
hangers available from travel stores. They separate the layers of your
laundry. For instance, if you hang your shorts on one by putting the
ends of the hanger under the waistband, the shorts are held open and dry
much faster. -- Trudy F.
-
Use
a large police whistle to fend off dogs. When a dog approaches,
give him a loud blast. It startles him long enough for you to make a
safe and easy getaway. It hasn't failed me yet. -- Barry B., captain,
Sheriff's Dept.
-
For
saddle comfort in the early season, wear two pairs of shorts,
especially when doing long weekend rides but not much riding during the
week. -- Rick H.
-
One
thing often overlooked when discussing saddle comfort is using shorts
with an old-fashioned real leather chamois instead of a synthetic
pad. Real chamois seems to cause less friction. The only source I know
is Kucharik.
-- Bill R.
-
To
make your cycling shoes smell better, put a scented dryer sheet
in each one following your rides. -- Ron G.
-
I
picked up this tip while riding with some Danes in the '03
Paris-Brest-Paris. It's the safest drinking position when riding in a
group. When you reach for your water bottle on the down tube, twist
your hand so the pinky is at the top and the thumb is at the bottom.
Remove the bottle from the cage with this grip and untwist your hand as
you bring the bottle to your mouth. When it arrives, it's at a much
steeper angle than if you had grabbed the bottle with a handshake grip.
The steeper angle means that the water flows without you having to raise
your elbow or turn your head. -- Bill R.
-
To
carry a pair of rubber exam gloves for roadside repairs or to
help a crash victim, store them in a 35-mm film canister. They fit with
the lid on. -- Bill R.
-
For
ID on rides, carry an old driver's license or stick a return
address label on both sides of your patch kit. -- Bill R.
-
If you're a woman
bothered by incontinence on rides that include hard efforts, add
Kegel exercises to your workout program. It's common for women, especially
after having children, to have weak pelvic-floor muscles. Kegel exercises
target these muscles to help restore and maintain bladder control. For
how-to info, do a Google
search on Kegel exercise. -- Kathy K.
-
Are frigid
feet forcing you to forgo winter rides? Here's a
page of solutions sent in by riders who enjoy
toasty tootsies.
-
Here's how to stop your hydration pack hose
from freezing shut in winter. After drinking, simply hold the tube
straight up and squeeze open the nozzle. All the liquid will run back into
the reservoir. It helps to wear the pack inside your jacket and have
insulation around the tube. If the nozzle freezes, it'll thaw quickly in
your mouth. As long as the tube isn't frozen -- voila, you get a drink!.
-- Elizabeth W.
-
Here's an easy, no-hands way to stop your hydration pack hose
from freezing shut in winter. After drinking, just blow into the tube
until the water is forced back into the reservoir. -- Tim B.
-
I've found a product that should be great for
commuters. If you usually take a baby-wipe "shower," look into Old
Spice High Endurance refreshment towels. A least they're a more manly
alternative! About $3.50 for a pack of 20. -- Levi B.
-
My favorite winter item is a wool or fleece
neck scarf. It keeps the blood warm that's flowing to the head. A
scarf also plugs up the neck hole of your jacket to prevent heat from
escaping. There's something about a cold neck that really
chills a rider. -- Michael R.
-
For the nightly recovery drink
recommended in Optimal Muscle Performance and
Recovery, I've been using
Pro-Rated Whey.
It's pretty affordable at Costco -- under $20 for 45 two-scoop servings,
which provide 44 grams of protein. It also has added glutamine and whey
protein isolate, but not added branched-chain amino acids. The whey
provides quite a bit, however. -- Alan F.
-
To keep dripping
chain lube and other debris off your carpet or floor during bike
maintenance, use a "Blitz" drip pan. It's made for engine
rebuilds so can be found at many auto stores for about $5. Just
wipe off the mess and stand it against the wall for next time.
-- Neal B. (click photo to zoom)
-
Beware of putting a disc brake on a road
bike. You need an extra-strong fork. My custom bike had a front disc
and an ordinary fork. All I had to do was brake hard once, and the fork
bent and I fell. A disc applies the braking load at the end of the fork
arm, which gives it a lot of leverage to twist the fork. -- Don B.
-
Want to make sure you pedal easy
enough on recovery rides? My rule is that if you can't carry on a
conversation, you're going too hard. When we go on a recovery ride, we
call it a "social ride" and socializing (talking) is our focus. Plus, this
helps less-fit riders feel like they're not holding anyone back. -- Mike
I.
-
Even better than a regular road bike for
around-town transportation is a road bike converted to a fixed-gear.
It can be done cheaply. The lack of mechanical contrivances reduces the
need to maintain the bike as much. The hub acts as a rear brake, requiring
only a hand brake in front. And if you have varied terrain in town, you get
some intense strength
training going uphill and hardcore spin training going down. Bonus: You can
hang out with the crusty bike messengers! -- Steve S.
-
My favorite foot covering if it looks
like rain (yep, most of the time here in Oregon!) is the
Burley bootie,
but modified with a Velcro "shoelace" across the top to make it snug. This
is the only bootie I've found that keeps my feet dry (really!) in wet
weather. -- Rob T.
-
A great product that will keep hands warm in
winter is
Pogies. These covers fit over the handlebar and are secured
with Velcro, making it easy to move them from bike to bike. All you need
to wear with Pogies is polypro glove liners, unless it's really cold.
I've never had hands so warm. -- Remy H.
-
If you need to hold your front wheel in
place on an indoor trainer and don't want to spend any money, use
one of the many old saddles you have lying around. Just turn it over. The
rails hold the tire and the seat material keeps it from slipping. It'll
also raise the front wheel a bit to give you a more normal feel. -- Ron G.
-
To endure riding on a trainer, I use a
Blackburn
Speedreader and spend the winter catching up on back issues of
Field and Stream. I use clothespins to keep the magazine in place, and
I put the fan behind me so the pages won't flutter. Say, do I go faster on
my trainer with the wind at my back? -- Eric S.
-
When riding the indoor trainer, I place a
thin towel along the bike's top tube so it drapes over the sides. When
I sweat like a stuck pig at 100 rpm for 45 minutes, the sweat falls
harmlessly into the towel. I also keep a spare hanging on the handlebar,
and by the time I'm done, that one is pretty moist as well. -- Brian L.
-
I use Pledge wipe cloths for a quick
cleanup after a ride. No overspray and easy use. They polish and clean in
one quick step. Great for the indoor trainer, too. -- Bill C.
-
After I wash my bike, I use my electric
leaf blower to dry it. It helps get the water out of all the places it
shouldn't be. -- Gary W.
-
Put a couple of gel packets in the leg of
your shorts with the tops sticking out. This way, you don't have to
fish for them in your pockets when the hammer is down. -- Adam S.
-
After trying double and triple cranksets on my
LeMond, I found an answer that works better than either. A 110/74-bolt
circle crankset allows me to use 46/34-tooth chainrings that cover all
the riding situations I find myself in. Most of the gearing on today's
road bikes is more suited to Tour de France racers than the average
roadie. -- Smokey S.
-
When riding into an intersection, always
make eye contact with a driver who might cross your lane. I did
this for eight years as a bike messenger and never had one cut across me
once eye contact was established. -- Byron D.
-
Kellogg's Krave bars are great ride
food. They have comparable carbs and protein as the high-priced energy
bars and are more effective than traditional candy bars. A six pack cost
about $3 in a supermarket's pop tart area. -- Robert G.
-
I commute 40 miles roundtrip in the blazing
Phoenix sun. I've found that alcohol-based sunscreen sprays work
much better than oils, creams or lotions. A spray goes on fast, dries
quickly and seem effective longer. I bought a small spray bottle that I
refill and keep in my pack. -- Mike E.
-
Sun Precautions
sells a bike hat that fits under the helmet to protect the back of the
neck and ears. If you're skillful, you can make the same item out of a
standard ball cap. Cut off the brim and adjuster, turn it around and sew a
lightweight cloth (piece of sheet) where the brim used to be. The denser
the weave of the cloth, the greater the sun protection. You can also use
the UV-protection wash sold in the cloth dye section in drugstores. --
Chuck V.
-
Here's my tip for learning to ride safely
with no hands. Practice on a heavy bike. My lightweight aluminum frame
is so twitchy it was hard to ride no-hands. But my old steel bike is a lot
more stable. After a few days of practice, I was able to transition the
skill to my good bike with no problem.
-
Thirty bucks for Specialized Bar Phat
handlebar padding?! You have
to be kidding. Buy some thin felt for a buck. Bend it, layer it any way
you want. It's cheap enough to experiment with. Cuts vibration, fattens
the bar. -- Joan R.
-
Pad your handlebar with a section of
folded inner tube, then wrap it with cork tape. The tube is easily varied
in density and shape. It's cheap and simple. -- Jacob O.
-
To get good at riding no-hands, do it
on the rollers in winter. Once you can accomplish that, doing anything
no-handed on the road is a piece of cake. -- Chris B.
-
Use
Seam Grip to patch
cuts in tires. It's made for sealing tents and such. Clean the inside
of the tire with alcohol (not scotch, never waste the scotch). Apply a
thick coat inside and a thin coat outside. -- Harth H.
-
Here's my trick for dealing with a chasing dog. I keep an old bike
repair rag tied in a knot in my jersey's right rear pocket. It's not
heavy, just something I can flip onto the ground when a dog comes up the
side of the road. He'll usually stop or pause to sniff it, which gives me
time to get out of his territory. -- Tim M.
-
To
prevent bike shimmy on fast descents, I keep one knee against the
top tube. But even better, I keep most of my weight on my pedals and
almost none on the saddle. This puts my weight below the axle centerlines
and really makes a difference. -- Don S.
-
To
get rid of elbow tendinitis from cycling, I used a combination of
ice three times a day, hand-grip exercises and extra core workouts to help
reduce the need to support my upper body with my arms. Icing is probably
the most important thing, and you should continue for a few days after the
pain is gone. -- Dino A.
-
Keep
a pair or latex gloves in the bag on your commuter bike. When you
need to fix a flat or make any other roadside repair, slip them on and
your hands will stay clean. Some employers may disapprove of biking to
work if you show up with greasy hands. -- Thomas B.
-
When
mounting tubular tires, use an old toothbrush to spread the glue on
the tire and rim. -- Mike P.
-
The
foolproof remedy for stinky bike clothes is Wisk powdered laundry
detergent. If you have clothes that smell so bad you can't get the odor
out, soak them overnight in the washer with a scoop of Wisk and then run
the washer as usual. -- Ellen K.
-
Here are six of my favorite cycling tips:
►
Put nickels between the pads and rims when adjusting the brakes.
When you remove the coins, the pads will be set at a perfect distance. ►
Make a habit of taking a sip
from your water bottle as soon as you begin riding. This sets the
pattern for hydrating instead of waiting till you're thirsty. ►
To protect your face in winter, apply a light layer of Vaseline
or A&D Ointment. But not on your nose or your glasses will slide down.
►
Add a cup of clear vinegar to the final rinse cycle when washing
cycling clothes. It'll remove all soap residue and perfume.
►
To prevent cramps, add Morton's Lite Salt to your water bottles.
A quarter teaspoon has 290 mg of sodium and 340 of potassium.
►
Apply a vinyl conditioner such as Meguiar's Vinyl/Rubber
Conditioner, to your cycling shoes, especially after a ride in the rain.
Don't use a product like Armor All unless you want a horrid shine. --
Cajun
-
Beware of shorts with a gel pad that's contained in plastic. Yes,
the pad might be nice and soft, but the plastic can't transport moisture. Sweat
can pool, making your crotch wet and leading to skin irritation like a
diaper rash. -- Richard R.
Go to page 2
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