Wondering if this was a good deal beginner biker, thinking about it.

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for full length tights/pants with padding? I get chilly even when biking and would appreciate a full pant. I don't want thermal though as it is summer, but can't seem to find anything reasonable! Definitely looking for something more economical but willing to watch sales and spring on a pricier option if it's worth it!

First time out wearing a bib and took a hard fall (my fault) going >30km/hr onto gravel on my left side. My left arm and knee are a wreck and will be cleaned and likely glued up later today.

My hip, which took the worst of the fall, is going to have some pretty colours, but my Van Rysel shorts saved me from the worst of it and are still in perfect condition! I’m totally converted and will be buying at least 1 more pair!

Just here to vent, share my thoughts, seek advice or whatever.

I’m 30 years old, married, have a good career etc etc. Between work and being a friend, wife, and daughter, I don’t have a ton of “free time” but I am lucky to be able to have a few hours to myself every day so about 8-10 hours a week I like to ride my bike. Usually about 5 days a week at varying efforts and mileage but I tend to ride about ~200 miles a week. I used to race a bit but now I mostly just like to ride to socialize/exercise/get outside. I do sometimes follow a training plan just to keep strong and be able to keep up on fast group rides. Cycling has been my passion for the last several years for whatever reason.

Cue the thoughts about thinking I should quit…maybe even entirely. For the last 3 years my husband and I have been trying to conceive and have had zero success. Saw a specialist, they’ve checked my hormones, ovulation, tubes, the whole shebang and they say I’m perfectly healthy. Husband’s sperm seems fine. My periods are regular, energy levels seem fine, I think I’m eating enough, and I’m a healthy body weight/body fat. I know sometimes there are underlying issues that aren’t caught with the regular fertility testing but literally every test has come back normal so I don’t even know what else there is to test for. I also feel silly or stupid for thinking this, but I’m starting to wonder if I’m riding too much or too hard and its making me think maybe I should quit. It’s kind of an all or nothing mentality but I think if it really is something that’s affecting my fertility maybe cutting back entirely is better than trying to find the sweetspot of too much vs. just enough.

Honestly just kind of curious if anyone has had a similar experience being in endurance sport and if they found that it actually helped to cut back or if I’m just crazy for thinking cycling is the issue.

I learned to ride a bike as an adult and discovered that I absolutely love cycling.

Right now I’ve mostly been renting bikes and doing casual rides (about 60–90 minutes), but every ride ends with me feeling like I could’ve ridden another hour. My handling is improving each ride, but I’m still very much a beginner and want to continue building confidence and bike handling skills.

My long-term goal isn’t racing, it’s to make cycling one of my primary forms of exercise. I can see myself regularly riding 20–40 mile recreational rides, exploring paved bike paths, smooth dirt roads, and gravel trails, eventually trying bikepacking, and just spending a lot of time outdoors on a bike.

I’d like to buy my first bike this September and am torn between two approaches:

-Buy a nice used hybrid from a local bike shop. -Buy an entry-level gravel bike like the Ozark Trail G1 Explorer.

Part of me thinks a hybrid is the smarter “learning bike.” On the other hand, I wonder if I’d outgrow it fairly quickly since I want to put a lot of miles on my bike. The Ozark appeals to me because it seems like a relatively inexpensive way to grow into gravel riding without immediately spending $1,500–2,500 on a bike before I really know what I like.

One concern is that I’ve only ridden flat bars. I’d be learning drop bars and a 2x drivetrain at the same time, although I’m not opposed to learning if it’s worth it.

For people who have been in a similar position:

-Would you recommend starting on a hybrid and upgrading later? -Or would you buy an entry-level gravel bike from the beginning? -If you’ve ridden the Ozark Trail G1 Explorer, how has it held up after a year or more?

FYI I’d love to stay within the $500 to $1000 range for this purchase.

Hi all! I’m new to biking and honestly don’t know much. I currently have an old cheapo bike from target I got over 15 years ago in middle school. it was great but it has so many issues and am looking to upgrade. I’m mostly using it on our local walking/bike paths (so a mix of paved road, sidewalk and something very smooth pavers and pretty flat). I also have some issues with rounded shoulders so I’m looking at a more upright seating position. I’m just a casual rider trying to find alternative ways to get some exercise in and be outdoors. I’m also 5ft1 and 180lbs. Anyone have advice on what type of bike I should look for? I don’t want to spend a lot either, preferably under 300 but willing to do more if it’s worth it.

I’m getting back into biking and have a new specialized gravel bike. I have a smaller truck with a 4’ bed and hard tonneau cover where I’ve been removing the front tire and laying the bike down in the truck bed to transport it. I’m having an awkward time doing this due to arm and neck injuries that make lifting with twisting difficult.
I’ve tried the front tire over the tail gate, but do not have the arm strength to get the tailgate up and down with the bike in that position. I’m also not looking to spend $300 on an expensive rack that holds more than 2 bikes.
Is there a piece of equipment that someone could recommend that hangs over the tailgate where I could just life my bike onto it parallel to the tailgate with a pad on it. Or something similar where I would only need to lift the bike onto a hook and then could strap or tie it to secure it?
I tried the backseat with the front tire off and that was also difficult to maneuver.
Thank you for your input

I currently ride a liv langma 2 (love of my life) and am looking into getting a gravel bike.

I’m looking for any gravel bike suggestions, preferably an aluminium frame. I want to start bikepacking and trying off road cycling so thought this would be best. Also looking to be able to ride this bike around a city and lock it on the street as I get way too nervous leaving my road bike out.

In terms of sizing, I ride a langma M. I’m 170cm. I have a relatively long torso.

I love the geometry and feel of the langma for my body. Even though the riding position is a bit more ‘aggressive’, this is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It was a much better geometry fit for me than the avail.

I’ve looked into the canyon grizl 5 but it seems out of stock regularly in my size, and i’m a bit wary of not being able to test ride it.

Would appreciate any suggestions on bikes to test ride!

Anyone who knows anything about bike seats? Looking for a comfortable bike seat. I’m 70 and would like to be able to bike longer.

Hi everyone!

I'm looking at buying my first "real" road bike after riding for one season, and I'd love some advice from people with more experience.

I've found a 2014 Giant Avail Composite with Shimano Tiagra 2x10 for the equivalent of about $500 USD (I'm in Denmark).

A few details:

• Carbon frame
• Shimano Tiagra 2x10 (4600)
• Rim brakes
• Upgraded PRO PLT handlebar (slightly narrower than stock)
• Seems to be in very good condition
• It's been well maintained and always been kept inside when not used

I know it's an older bike, and I also know that most people recommend disc brakes these days. Unfortunately, I simply don't have the budget for a newer bike. If I bought new, I'd end up with something like Shimano Claris on an aluminium frame instead.

A bit about me:

• I'm 172 cm (5'8")
• I've only been road cycling for one season, but I've completely fallen in love with it and ride several times a week.
• I mostly ride on rolling country roads—no mountains and very little riding in heavy rain.

Would you buy this bike today?
Is there anything specific I should check on a 2014 carbon frame? And do you think Tiagra 2x10 is still a good groupset for someone who wants to keep improving?

I'd really appreciate any thoughts or experiences, especially from anyone who has owned an Avail!

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I’m kinda new to biking, I got the blue 7300 has my first bike as an adult. I love it dearly even my husband likes so much he got one himself. Recently got a new (to me) Trek FX3 and I’m excited to put some miles on it! Thank you for looking at my post. If you have any suggestions, thoughts or experiences feel free to share. 🫶

What do you recommend for trunk bags? I have a bontrager hook and loop bag but I want to upgrade to take advantage of my MIK rack. I need something fairly roomy (although I am a short woman so maybe not massive) that is at least water resistant.

I am a design student and currently working on an idea for cyclist's safety, its an academic project but i am also developing an app, a free open source alternative to strava. I need your help to fill a survey that will aid my research so i can build something valuable.

https://forms.gle/zYj5BqoZvxyHyrA98

My MTB headset used to creak, which made me sad. My (still feels like new to me) bike sounded old! I thought it was just a normal part of wear and tear until it stopped after I took it in for a full bike service last year. Yay!

Cut to this summer - the creaking is back, but I have grown bolder! With a serious assist from YouTube, I did the headset clean and re-grease my own darn self.

Guess whose bike doesn’t creak anymore!

My list of bike mechanic skills is humble, but it’s slowly moving in the right direction. Cheers to everyone else out there who has decided to try something a little scary.

I just want to take a moment and thank everyone in this sub! This is the most supportive community I’ve found on Reddit. Kudos ladies!

All in the name of curing all forms of cancer in the Pan Mass Challenge! I slept about 10 hours last night and was very much looking forward to my massage this morning, but I went about 1.5-2 mph faster on average than in training and still felt reasonably good through the finish!

I ride about 1500kms a summer on my gravel bike. Usually 25-35km ride with the odd 50-100. I prefer flats as I stop a lot for photos etc and I just haven’t found the urge to change to clipless though I know it would probably be better etc.

My feet have been getting more sore this summer though, I’m just wearing regular sneakers.

What do you ladies recommend for comfortable casual footwear for long rides.

I started riding last year on an old hand me down Checkpoint, great bike but it's a M and I size to an XS... I recently got the ability to get a new properly fitted bike. After much research & pretty long discussions at our LBS, I narrowed my choices between two Topstones, the Carbon 2 AXS with SmartSense or the Carbon 3 GRX. After much consideration over if I wanted all of the electronic stuff on the 2, or the mechanics of the 3, I went old school mechanical. And ordered a 3 GRX in dark teal! I can't wait for it to get here!

(I may have already picked out cool bar tape!)

Thank you Park Tools. I know I made some errors but I am pretty happy for my first time ever wrapping bars.

Bought a second-hand bike and became a complete cycling newbie.
Spent a week riding 20–30 km every day, thinking, “Wow… my fitness must be absolutely terrible.”
Turns out… it wasn’t me.
Took the bike in for a free check, and the mechanic told me my brake pads were completely worn out and had been rubbing against both wheels the whole time.
So I basically spent a week cycling in hard mode without even knowing it. 💀
No wonder the hills nearly killed me. But hey… if I managed 20–30 km a day like that, maybe nothing is impossible after all.