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Road Biking Guide For Beginners

Are you a beginner in biking and want to try road bikes?

But don't know where to start?

Well, we have you covered. Going for road biking is a rewarding activity on many levels.

Getting on a bike is a challenge for most people, but it can also be a competitive sport.

To ensure you get the most out of your first few miles, read this article to learn how to ride a road bike and get the best gear to buy for a road bike.

Choosing a Road Bike

Road bikes are typically fast, light machines designed to ride on paved surfaces. Most bikes have drop-bar handlebars (although some have flat bars like mountain bikes) and 700c wheels. A road bike is typically made of steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber (or a blend of these materials).

Make sure that the road bike fits you properly before you buy it. At its most basic level, a bike's frame size should correspond to the person's height and inseam length.

The way you intend to ride your bike (recreationally, competitively, or to commute) will influence the components you select, as well as your budget.

You can choose from our extensive range of bikes.

road biking

What to Wear while Road Biking

A road biking outfit fits snugly, improving aerodynamics and preventing clothing from flapping in the wind.

Also, it's designed to be comfortable on the bike. In many shirts, there are front zippers for ventilation, sleeve and shoulder shapes that accommodate arm-forward positioning, back pockets for easy access, and a longer back cut to provide coverage when riding.

Bicycle shorts, bibs, and tights are stretchy for optimum mobility and include a chamois lining for maximum comfort while riding.

Cycling setups typically include:

  • An absorbing base layer
  • A short-sleeved shirt
  • Bibs, bike shorts, or tights
  • Palm padding or fingerless gloves
  • Knee and arm warmers
  • Wind vests
  • Lightweight, packable raincoat

At Adventure HQ, we offer a diverse range of road bikes in the UAE, as the right equipment will enhance your bike riding performance.

Road Bike Tools

A flat tire is the most common mechanical problem you can encounter while traveling, so ensure to carry a spare tube, tire lever, and pump. In addition to bike maintenance, multi-tools can be helpful for other on-the-go needs. Each of these can easily fit into a saddlebag.

Additional Road Bike Accessories

Water bottle and cage

Typically, water bottle cages are pretty generic and fit most bikes - you want something with at least 500ml capacity to hold a plastic bottle securely. However, if you are going on a long ride in hot weather, it may be a good idea to bring a hydration pack with a water reservoir.

Fenders

Adding these to your ride will add weight, but they are essential if rainy, muddy, or freezing. In addition, they prevent you from looking like a skunk after the wheel sprays off.

We offer a wide range of high-quality bike accessories. Click here to choose from the best bike accessory collections.

Bikes

How to Ride a Road Bike

Cycling cadence

Having a steady cadence on a ride requires shifting gears as the terrain changes. The most efficient pedal speed is usually between 80 and 100 revolutions per minute (rpm).

When you pedal more or less often, you can quickly become fatigued. You may be in the wrong gear-shift down if you cannot pedal at an average cadence. The same applies if you are pedaling too fast or not overcoming any resistance-it is time to move up a gear.

Pedaling efficiency

As opposed to just driving your pedals down on the downstroke and pulling your pedals up on the upstroke, you should imagine you are scraping mud off your shoe while pulling your foot through the bottom of the stroke. This will help you to ride the bike efficiently.

How to Shift Gears on a Road Bike

Bicycles have five main components that allow you to shift gears and alter the ease of pedaling. Among them are:

  • front chainrings
  • rear cassette
  • chain
  • derailleurs
  • shifters

The shifters on the left control the chainrings on the front, and the shifters on the right control the cassette on the rear. If you shift towards the left, the resistance of the pedals will increase dramatically. If you shift toward the right, the pedals will be fine-tuned. A good balance between resistance and smooth pedaling is ideal.

Braking Technique for a Road Bike

Front brakes are usually operated with the left lever, while rear brakes are with the right lever. Therefore, if you are a beginner cyclist, it is smart to feather both brakes at once.

Where to Look When Riding

Maintain your focus 20–30 feet ahead to anticipate turns and obstacles along the way. Looking down at the front wheel is unnecessary; instead, focus on your destination. If you want to avoid a particular obstacle, don't stare at it, as focusing your eyes on it will make you run toward it.

Road biking

How to Descend on Your Road Bike

Cyclists on the road

When ready to descend, place your feet level and move towards the back of the saddle. As a result, your weight will be evenly distributed over the bike while you are navigating tight curves, keeping your weight over the bike, protecting your pedals from hitting the pavement, and allowing you to move your weight as needed.

Hopefully, we have covered all the points beginners require to understand road biking completely.

Adventure HQ is a well-known road bike shop for all your biking and adventure needs. We offer an extensive range of road bikes in Dubai at our adventure superstore.

From beginners to sports enthusiasts, you will find everything here. In addition, we have a variety of road bikes for sale exclusively for you.

Next article 7 Tips to buy your First Road Bike
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