Newbie cyclists?

Question

With skyrocketing gas prices, there are many new cyclists on the road. How can you distinguish a new cyclist from those who have been riding for a while? What are the obvious signs? Also, what can a new cyclists do to not look like a newbie and be accepted by more experienced cyclists?

How can one tell?

Type/brand of bike?

Box-mart vs. bike store bike?

Shifting, or lack of?

Traffic rules, or not obeying?

No clipless pedals?

Helmet, or not?

Anything else?

Answer 1

The cut-off jean shorts are a dead give away as well.

The things you mention are as well, but it also depends where they are riding, if they're on a path in casual shorts and flip-flops. . .

If they're dressed and riding the part, the biggest give away is the way they handle a bicycle.  If their speed varies a lot, or they tend to pedal and coast-pedal and coast.  They also can't ride a straight line as a well, their bike will move erratically.  They will prob'ly also tend to have their hands perched on the brakes and be very stiff.

If you're worried about looking or being a newbie, don't be.  Get out and ride, find some group rides, find someone you can learn from, I like sharing my knowledge and if it gets one more person on the road on a bicycle to enjoy this great sport, it's well worth it.

Now get out and ride.

Answer 2

Most of what you mention are clues. type of bike not so much. Newbies with lots of $$$ sometimes buy very sweet bikes. Seasoned cyclists may ride well maintained beaters so you never know.

Stock reflectors, spoke guards, foam handlebar grips, Wal Mart bikes, bikes far too big etc are clues as well. Saddle too low is another dead give-away. A big fat padded saddle or gel saddle covers are a give-away too. Spinning at 90-100 rpm and going 10 mph is another as is a 40 rpm cadence.

Pedals and cycling gear like padded shorts are not always a way to tell. Commuters, may not wear cycling clothing at all. it depends on why they're riding. I have all the gear but don't go full kit to ride up to the store or tool around with my kids or a friend etc.

If I'm out at the park where there's a mix of hard core riders working out and the 3 time a year riders it's easier to tell. Speed can be a give-way but some cyclists ride a lot but simply aren't into speed. Oh and anyone riding with lots of gear noise - a bike that hasn't been tunes in years and proplr riding on obviously very under inflated tires.

Answer 3

Reflectors in the wheels -- classic N00bie marker!

Answer 4

brand is not so much a factor as safety and etiquette are. If you wear a helmet and respect the people and things around you, you'll be fine. Definetely a good bike store brand is good and a helmet. I'm only 15, but i can spot and unexperienced and disrespectful person usually by if they don't have a helmet on.

Pedals don't matter. It all depends on the type of biking you do.

Answer 5

Hmmm I thought it was illegal in the UK not to have wheel reflectors.  Why remove them?  Yes I am a newbie!!!

Answer 6

The price or type of equipment is never an accurate guide. There is quite a few experienced riders (even on this forum) that get a kick out of, dressing down, grabbing their junk beater and trolling for the cycling snobs.

There seems to be plenty of newbies that go into their bike shop drop a whole wad of cash on the counter and walk out with the latest and greatest. Most are fine and just enjoy the look and the fashion aspects.

The snobs tend to wind up sitting on the footpath sipping latte in all the fine regalia. They look down their noses at anyone not riding a particular brand, carrying all the gadgets and dressed a certain way.

Riding past snobs on a ratty looking bike, dressed down is probably the most satisfying riding activities you can indulge in. The challenge is to catch them actually riding. The reactions are priceless.

Now back to your question

A newbie will always be riding that bit slower and tend to be breathing a bit harder. Other give aways are low cadence (pedaling speed) and poor riding posture.

Just enjoy what you are doing and get your fitness and cruising speed up. Most experienced riders are only too happy for a bit of company no matter what they are riding. The key is to get yourself to the stage were you can keep up. You can't buy cycling fitness it is all about time on the bike.

Oh ....... I did say most experienced cyclists....  Snobs don't talk to many people at all. Which is great, because not many people want to talk to snobs.

Have fun and enjoy your cycling like anything else it takes time to gain experience.

Answer 7

In my considerable experience, there are two sports where experienced participants not only do not look down on newbies, but go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. They are cycling and pistol shooting. So, no need to worry, the cycling community welcomes everyone. Hop on and ride!

Answer 8

The guy riding on the sidewalk, against traffic.  That's a newbie.  Around here, I see a lot of Mexicans riding in the road going the wrong way too.  That's ok though, they're here to do the jobs I don't want to.

Riding the wrong gear on hills gets me too.  I can feel the knee pain in some people I see grinding up a hill.