Get a better understanding of your essential equipment and you ’ ll maximise your enjoyment of the healthy and fun sport of cycling . Starting simple then upgrading is up to you – though it ’ s hard to avoid once the bug bites . Plus it ’ s no secret you can buy speed and motivation …
Bike riding has exploded and one of the reasons , beyond the obvious benefits of a low-impact , adventurous workout , is the sheer accessibility of the sport . So many of us have access to a two-wheeled contraption of some kind , somewhere – even if it ’ s gathering cobwebs beside the lawn mower with flat tyres between each annual Ride Joburg , Amashova or Cape Town Cycle Tour outing . Change the saddle height , swap race numbers and off you go for a mass social ride exploring our major cities . Often all it takes is a few pomps of air in the tyres and a liberal rust removing degreaser to bring such relics back to life before you ’ re out on the road . But this will only get you so far . To really enjoy your new or rediscovered passion you ’ ll want to add at least a few cyclingspecific items to your wardrobe , equip yourself with the basic getme-home tools , and ensure that your bike is ready to put a smile on your face and keep it there , even after a long day in the saddle . Here ’ s everything you need to look out for in a bike , and the basic kit you ’ ll want to go with it .
THE FRAME
This is the skeleton around which all components thrive or nose dive . The right-sized frame is critical : you need adequate room between you and the top tube when you stand over it , and a comfortable length that doesn ’ t stretch nor cramp you while riding . Then combining weight , dimensions and aero characteristics really enhances your riding enjoyment . Do a testride before you purchase to ensure the correct sizing , otherwise we suggest a professional bike fit . It may seem pricey but it works out to a fraction of the long-term cost of an ill-fitted bike – and a trained pro will give you precise measurements to suit your unique dimensions , flexibility and type of riding . Frames come in carbon , aluminium alloy or steel and sometimes titanium . Carbon is light but not cheap , while aluminium is a cost-effective way into the sport .
They ’ re the primary moving part on which you roll . If they ’ re heavy or flexible they ’ ll make you slower ; lightweight and rigid is what you want to move faster . Wheels on a road bike come in the 700c size , using tyres 25mm or 28mm wide . In recent years tyre width has evolved as riders have realised that , for once , skinnier isn ’ t faster and it ’ s definitely not more stable . If you like riding the odd dirt road or the exploding gravel scene , you can choose beefier tyres up to 50mm ( they ’ re slightly slower on
tar but are more multi-surface friendly ). As the only thing connecting your body and bike to the tar is that tiny patch of rubber , we strongly recommend you invest in decent tyres to keep you stable and safe . New tyre compounds are lighter , have less rolling resistance and are more puncture resistant .
THE DRIVETRAIN
Campagnolo Centaur 11-speed Groupset ( available in black or silver )
Made up of the chain , cassette , gear mechs and cranks , a smooth and well-maintained drivetrain makes cycling a joy , ushering you along with a soothing whirr , always ready with the right gear . Neglect it at your peril – a noisy chain and skipping gears can ruin a ride . Thankfully it ’ s relatively easy to maintain with regular cleaning and lubing ( especially when it ’ s wet ). 11-speed cassettes at the back are the most popular , with a double chainset ( big and small gears ) up front . A cassette ranging from 11 to 32 teeth at the back , paired with a 50 / 34-tooth chainset upfront , will give you just about as many gears as you need for road riding . Stronger riders may opt for a 52 or bigger chainring and a 10-tooth pedal-grinding cassette for steep descents , but usually as part of a 12-speed set-up . Electronic shifting is a pleasure for those who have the money to spend .
THE BRAKES
Stoppers can save your life , so never leave home with dodgy brakes . It may have taken a year or two to end the discussion about disc versus rim brakes , but if you ’ re buying a brand-new bike know that disc brakes are here to stay . Road cycling was slow to inherit disc brakes from mountain biking , but their stronger braking power and far better performance in wet conditions eventually made them a no-brainer . Hydraulic disc brakes are pricier but significantly more effective than cable-operated versions . Rim brakes also remain a perfectly valid option and there are some quality systems out there . Keep an eye on brake pads wear , especially on disc brakes which aren ’ t as easy to check as rim brakes . Carbon and aluminium wheels need different brake pads , so remember to switch them over if you train on cheaper , low-profile wheels then whip on deep-section carbon weapons to race .
To cleat or not to cleat ? There ’ s no question that cleated pedals offer far greater power transfer than flat pedals , but they do take time to grow accustomed to . Flat pedals , which many bikes come standard with , are cheap and great for beginners who want fast transitioning on and off their bikes at coffee shops , or like to commute in casual footwear . It ’ s best to start with these , then upgrade to cleated pedals once you ’ ve built confidence and begin to seek speed and efficiency . Cleating and uncleating is simple but requires practice , either on a stationary bike or solo on a grass field where mistakes are punished in a more gentle manner , both physically and socially – there ’ s nothing more embarrassing than flopping over mid-bunch at a traffic light . Dualsided cleated pedals are a bonus , though most cleated pedals are onesided and they vary in cost based largely on weight . Choosing a pedal with float will allow your foot to rotate more naturally throughout the pedal stroke . This benefits most athletes because very few people are stable enough biomechanically to ride a fixed pedal system efficiently . A pedal with float is more forgiving and will put less strain on your tendons , and you can adjust them as you find your flow .