Any more i need to do befoe going on my first ride on a new to me bike ?

[angellonewolf]

as per last question have gone to dark side and bought a road bike dawes racer

not been use for a few months prob not been serviced in the last year after looking at the work i have done

just to ask any more i should do befor trying a fair ride

what i have done so far removed all cables cleaned oiled (with chain oil) replaced a few outer cables as some of the cables had a very small amount of rust (will replace cables but did not have any road bike ones around job for a few days time) cleaned ajusted and oiled chain and gear mechs oiled all moving parts brakes wheels and quick release cheaked most nuts ajusted seat and handle bars cheak break pads look ok and all stop well after cable clean no marks or stones

do i need to clean wall where break pads touch on wheel and with what

what is good chain oil just got some good stuff off of nextdoor but need some of my own good stuff but cheap price i know not to thick

chain cleaner will i need one ? looking online some say use degreaser some say not becuse of grease inside the chain can then be removed

any more i need to do or get

thanks for any help

angel

 

[NRG]

Tyres, last thing you need is a puncture. Check they are OK, no nicks or cracking, inflate to correct pressure and make sure you have a repair kit and know how to use it!

 

[angellonewolf]

yes must cheak tyres pumped to to 100 psi think that will do as i am on the heavy side thanks

repair kit is a must but if i do not know how to use after 22 years playing with bikes should not be riding one

only asking questions as bike have changed over the years and some things chance an this is the first racer/road bike i have ever had as my size has come down a little and i think should be able to ride one now

 

[oigoi]

I always carry a spare inner tube with me. For me it is quicker and easier to change the tube than try to repair a puncture next to the road. Just remember if you get a puncture to look inside and outside the tyre and remove the object that made the puncture before putting the new tube in!

My chain I just use car engine oil on it. I wouldn't worry about chain cleaner, I just keep oiling the chain and then regularly (depending how many miles I do) I buy a new chain before it has stretched too much and damaged the sprockets.

You will need a decent pump to get the pressure high enough - make sure when you're buying one that it will fit the type of valves you have.

Regarding the wheel rims just make sure they don't have any oil on them ad wipe them clean with a rag.

 

[timidtom]

Off you go then! Remember: it's better to come back exhilarated after a short ride than exhausted and disheartened after a too-long one (to start with anyway!)

 

[angellonewolf]

well that was great all went well but you dont half feal every small bump in the road i only got the tyre pressure at 100 now just try to dodge the marks but there are a lot of them

thanks all

angel

ps got cables ready to change might ride a few times first and

any help with installing inline brake levers on top of racing bars

 

[NRG]

100psi! No wonder you are feeling every small bump! What size are the tyres?

Edit: Ah I see its a road racer you have....yes you'll feel everything

 

[yselmike]

get good pump with a digital read out and a tire pressure gauge,wind and low pressure in your tires
will suck the life out of your battery.I seem to need to pump every 4 days to keep the pressure up to 6 bar.

 

[angellonewolf]

hi after my first ride with the racer am loving it tempted to try the 12.5 mile ride as the 7.5 ride with a big hill was fairly easy sorry must say this is only one way will have to cycle home at the end of the day

post more as it comes

 

[angellonewolf]

did the deed 12.5 miles there and then 12.5 back on own power not to bad but got lost on the way there and on the way back

the cycle track is not that clearly marked get to the point

can turn left to bath or right to bristol (both at this point you need to go under a subway left or right) took left for bath went under subway and could turn left or right went left and got lost there found my way back with a bit of off roading (on a road bike not nice and muddy) and got on all right from there

hope to do it in a bit of better time next time

and any one want some light on the cycle track it might help some people get out of there cars if you can see where your riding

angel

got a set of cat eyes helped but still had to strain to see