The Cycling Advice section is your guide to becoming a better cyclist. We aim to cover each and every important topic first and then move to the less pressing ones in the future. So far, we’ve covered all of the basic skills that you need to have to become a better cyclist.
The thing that motivated me to start this thread in the first place are numerous questions I get from readers every day asking for cycling tips.
Even if you’re familiar with cycling, you still need to be up to date with the latest info to make the best choices on the road.
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Bike Gears Explained – How To Use Them Efficiently
Benefits of Cycling: Why Cycling Is Good For Health
Strength Exercises For Cyclists
Sweetspot vs Threshold Workouts
Bicycle Components and Groupsets
Bicycle Helmet Laws (By States)
A Complete Guide to Cycling Workouts — On and Off the Bike
Best Cycling Workouts – How to get FASTER?
Presta Vs Schrader – Which one is better?
How To Choose Child (And Baby) Bike Seats
Bike Racks & Carriers – How to choose
Helmet Buying Guide – Read, how to choose a PROPER helmet
Bike Buying Guide – Read, how to choose a bicycle
Types of Bikes – Which bicycle type to choose
Bike Trainers & Rollers – All you need to know. Best picks included.
Bike Fit – An informational guide to get the right bicycle fit
Bike Computers – How they work and how to choose
Guide to Fat Bikes – All you need to know about fat bikes
Bike Repair Kits – How and when to use
Insurance for Cyclists and Bikes – Take care of your wealth!
How to Choose Bike Tires – In-depth guide about the bike tires
How to Choose Cycling Shoes – All about cycling shoes
Bikepacking – How and when to use
Bicycle Chain Lube and Maintenance – How to take care of your chain
How to Choose The Right Size Bike
How to choose the right mountain bike size – Specific mountain bike sizing information
Guide For Beginners
When becoming a cyclist, everyone starts as a pure beginner. Luckily, it does not take a long time to become more experienced and master new skills.
To be able to do this, proper resources and cycling tips for beginners are necessary, which I strive to provide through these pages.
The approach to cycling for beginners is different than for experts. Complex issues and theories need to be simplified and made more digestible, which is what these articles are all about. You should be able to understand all of the tips and tricks and pieces of advice even if the only thing you know about bicycles is that they have two wheels. 🙂
Some common questions I get from my readers include, “How to learn cycling for beginners?”, “Where do I start?”, “Which skills are necessary for me to know when I hit the road?”, etc.
I’ll always keep these questions in the back of my mind when deciding which topic to cover next in this Cycling Advice section. That way, you’ll get the most relevant and the most useful cycling tips for beginners each and every time.
What Guides Do You Want To See?
Let us know and you’ll see it soon on our cycling advice section.
Hello jeff,
i am 24th years old and my hight is 5’10 and weight around 80 kg . can you tell me which size of cycle is best for me .
Hi Jecky,
A 17″ or a large frame would suit you best. Then you need to get a proper bike fit to accommodate your body shape to ensure comfort.
Thanks for telling us to ask you some of our own questions. What are the most important items to have when cycling? How often should I replace my bike tires?
Hi Clarence,
My personal top tools are the mini air pump, the torque wrench, chain breaker tool, Allen tool. For a more comprehensive guide, check this link. As far as bike tires go, road bike/mtb tires last anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 miles. High-end (more expensive) tires should last at least 2,500 miles. For MTB tires note the tread.
i am 6ft and weighing around 90 KG,
what should be the right size of cycle for me.
Hi Eric,
For MTB it’s 18″ / 19″ XL
for Road Bike it’s 58-59-60 cm XL
My son is 11 years old, 5’10 with 24 in inseam. searching for a decent inexpensive bike for him. it’ll be used for general riding round the neighborhood so probably a hybrid. Used would be okay also. Any recommendations?
Hi Nick,
That sounds like a good idea! Get him a large frame preferably size 17″. Check my post about Best Entry Level Hybrid Bikes.
Hello Jeff,
Can you please tell me which points should I consider before buying an ebike? I am beginner, your guidance would be highly appreciated !
Hi Nora,
Always consider the following
1. Why you need an ebike and your type of riding
2. A reputable retailer
3. Test several of them before making a decision
4. Take note of the warranty
5. You get what you pay for
Please read my post about Best Electric Bikes
Hello! I am considering buying a cruiser for myself. However, I’d like to be able to pull a kid trailer or have a rear mounted child seat. Will a cruiser work for this? Also, I’m not sure if I should with a trailer or child seat. I read your child seat article. I don’t think I’ll get much use out of a front mounted seat as my son seems to be on the upper end of the seat recommendations (for an baby) and isn’t ready for a saddle. I’m 5’6” so I’m not sure if I’m tall enough for a rear mounted seat. Thanks in advance!
Hey Caitlin, a cruiser is a good choice for pulling a kid trailer or having a child seat. One of the problems you might experience is pedaling uphill if you get a single-speed cruiser. If you live in a hilly area, I’d recommend getting a geared bike.
Your height shouldn’t be too much of a problem as there are rear-mounted child seats that can be fitted with an adapter that lets you attach them even if the saddle is lowered completely.
My daughter is 12 years old, 4’10 with 26 in inseam. Looking for a good inexpensive bike for her. It will be used for general riding around the neighborhood so probably a hybrid. Used would be okay also. Any recommendations?
Hey Eric, we have some great resources about cheap bikes here, here, and here. Check it out and you might find something you like. I think a city/cruiser bike would be a great choice. 🙂
Hi, in need of help. Looking at buying a hybrid bike. Anxious on getting the correct size. Different sites say different things for the size I require. The bike I’m looking at is the carrera subway 1 men’s. (This is my budget) I’m a female 5ft 6in (167cm) with a 29.9in (75cm) inseam. The bike has 27.5 tyres. Do I need 16” or 18”. The size guide says 16 but I’m anxious and others are telling me that’s to small? Thanks.
Hi Ellie. I, too, believe that a 16″ frame would be a good fit for you. You risk being too stretched out on an 18″ frame. 🙂
About 20 or so years ago, I rode a mountain bike. I liked to ride trails. Now, I want to strictly ride on the road. So I didn’t know if I should get a road bike or hybrid. I am also unsure of the size to look for. My inseam is 30″ and I am about 5’4” or 5’5″. My thought was a 51cm?
Thank you for your help!
Hey Michele! How about a gravel or a cyclocross bike? They’re awesome for both road and off-road rides. 🙂
When it comes to the frame size, I think anything between 51 cm to 53 cm would be a good fit for you.
Have fun!
How wide of road tire will a Valkarie Airborne titanium frame accomadate?
Hi John, not sure about that one. The standard model comes with 23mm tires as far as I know. It could certainly accommodate one or two sizes wider tires, but it’s best to contact the manufacturer.