Things I wish I knew before I started cycling...
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- Опубліковано 1 кві 2024
- Don’t make these rookie mistakes! ✋🏻
From selecting the right bike to mastering basic riding techniques, I’ve got you covered. Join me as I dive deep into the essential tips and insights that every beginner cyclist needs to know 🚴🏻♂️💨
#electroheads #cycling #ebike
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What’s your advice for a newbie cyclist?
Lube up & use a condom when it's raining.
To listen to Eilis's dad.
Avoid metal drain covers if it's wet out, even if they look like they have a grippy surface they can be super dangerous. Learnt this one the hard way :(
Every other road user is an idiot from HGVs to pedestrians
Ride on every short journey that you want to take to get used to the area.
LOVE the GTA start to this video!! Please keep doing things like this.. definitely grabs and holds viewers attention for the rest of the video!
Thank you!! We had a lot of fun doing it.
A colleague, who tried to persuade me it was too cold to commute by bike as it might make me ill, went skiing... and broke his leg.
😂
The in-laws are convinced cold weather gives you a cold.
After 12 years of cycling in London and 4 stolen bikes, I'm back to a £99 bike which is the same price as her lock
Buying stolen bikes?
@@iainamurray helllll no but everyone of mine has been stolen
Almost all the bikes in Copenhagen are cheap, unispiring clunkers. Mostly those are 'borrowed' by drunk men looking for a cheap and fast way home after a big night.
@@bugsygoo I thought the Danish loved their expensive 3-wheeled cargo bikes? One of those that cost as much as a house
@@iainamurray The cheap one you buy of Facebook or Ebay may be stolen. Easy come, easy go. I got a fully functional bike off Ebay for £10, rode it for a while, lent it to a neighbour with some "mental health" issues and it never came back though said neighbour claims they "returned" it.
£99 is still cheaper than your monthly travelcard. Just maintain your fitness, start your journeys early, ride relaxed in a good position and any bike with good tires and brakes is as good as another.
I always wear eye protection now.Whilst cycling alongside a large thorny,bramble laced hedgerow I almost lost an eye.
That's why I love my Hindsight glasses so much. The amount of dust, dirt and bugs I get flying into my eyes is not fun and can be pretty dangerous
Very very very very very important
Unlucky, I struggle on glasses as most I pick it targets the wind to my eyes so my eyes water where as without even at a relaxed 19mph I never have that issue
Fitted mudguards are a must, but an even better investment for me was to add mud flaps to the fitted mudguards!!!! Worth every single penny they was :)
Oooh yes great point!
I started watching this channel to be better informed about which e-bike to buy, but even though I've now bought my bike, I can't stop watching because of her amazing infectious personality! 🙌🏼
All excellent advice especially the beginning bit but its also a shame we have to be advising people of this in the sense riding on UK roads are dangerous, in the netherlands, they dont need to worry about this at all, bikes have priority and its safe enough for kids... i hate how car centric our cities are in the uk
Excellent advice vid..!
Your journey to cycling sounds very like mine - particularly the hatred of cyclists who are too cool to use mudguards! A good wind-proof outer layer is an excellent investment.
I didn't mind rain (I always carried spare clothes) or cold weather - but I hated the headwinds on the way into work. I eventually added tri-bars so I could get really aerodynamic.
I love tbis channel its full of advice, bike's, laws etc, ellis is a fantastic presenter who makes this channel come alive and its also fun, chilled and just down to earth like watching enthusiastic mates lol. Seriously never change.
Great content, keep it up.
What a fun intro! was listening, making coffee the first time. haha.
I would also recommend taking a cycling training course.
Great video
Just ordered the Tenways CGO600 Pro after watching your review on it. Should be with me in a couple of days. Thanks for the information
Awesome - I'm sure you'll be pleased!
Even though I use a rear-view mirror, I make it a point to turn my head and nod at following vehicles, just as a courtesy to let them know that I am aware of them.
I wouldn't ride next to deep water if wearing that lock as a belt! Great video
Yeah, some of those videos of people cycling along tow paths really make me nervous enough.
them sunnies are so cool, i havnt ever seen them before. also with bikes, i tried a non suspension bike, it was awful , saps your energy, always go with at least some front suspension as just feels better when riding
Honestly, I could watch this woman all day 🥰
Thank you.
Eilis- this is one of your best, most informative, helpful and positive videos. Stuffed with good, sensible advice and guidance. Totally with you on mudguards, and love that lock, you can wear it as a jogging weight too. Every cyclist should take a days training before cycling and this video should be part of that course. One tiny point- how about a hi-vis vest at all times to maximise being seen- not cool I know? Increasingly, in this rainy overcast weather I get the feeling that motorists are distracted by the wet and not paying so much attention to bikes.
Thank you!! Always love reading your uplifting comments and input. High vis is another great addition, couldn't agree more
@@ElectroheadsGosh, lovely reply, never been appreciated by a Star before. Love your stuff, but you know I do. Keep up the great work.
6:24 I would recommend locking the rear wheel to frame and post rather than the front wheel.
The frame is also locked to the post so it doesn't really matter then?
@@roller12coaster In this scenario, a thief can steal the rear wheel which out of the two is always the more expensive part.
@@JohnSmith-ox7xcdepends of bicycle.there is front wheels with dynamos that cost over 250$.or there can be rear wheels with proprietarian hub motor that you cant buy separately.owner have to know what to prioritize
Good sensible advice…my suggestions for newbie cyclists would be to learn how to do some basic maintenance, cycle with led lights all the time, wear something that makes you visible … love your top !
Oh and can someone please make a similar video for urban drivers on the updated Highway Code regarding priorities and leaving a safe passing distance.
Watch Ashley Neal's channels.
His driving instruction channel and his Just Cycling channels are excellent.
Although people who are aggressive drivers or hate cyclists probably don't want to know anyway.
The way to get to work is by small calm streets no matter how much further than using main roads. If needed, walk against one-way streets, on sidewalks or park paths but simply avoid the main busy roads. Where I live it's a matter of gradient. I avoid the main road with an easy 5% climb and use paths with 15% where I need to walk. Makes me feel different from everybody else.
I think it's helpful to get an experienced rider to go on a few rides with. They might know a few routes that aren't the one suggested by Google Maps but that are far nicer to ride along. It may take you a little longer to get to your destination but on the other hand cars are less likely to kill you.
Great video lots of useful advice. I would think twice about wearing that heavy lock around your waste though, getting hit by a car or getting it caught on something could casue you severe injury or worse. Just lock it around the frame or a rear rack. I know racks can look a bit shit, but for an everyday bike its amazing. I have a metal basket/rack on front and paniers on the back. I literally can do my family of 3 weekly shop on my bike too 👍
Thank you for the heads up I never quite thought that one through. Will be moving my lock placement from here on in
"Analogue bike" ha ha !
😋
my advice would be to start the way the video mentions-borrow a bike, rent a bike with a bikeshare, see if you like it before upgrading. start small and keep going if you like it.
In terms of lights and staying safe on the road, I've got to say, avoid the flashing ones.
As a driver I've experienced more than once that the combination of blinding strobe lights on a group of cycles in the rain gives a weird stop motion effect, with no real sense of which light goes with which cycle, making it very difficult to know who is going where.
A steady, always on light, front and rear makes it much easier to determine road position and direction of travel. You might not feel you're as safe because you're not flashing like a Christmas tree in speed, but believe me, you're far easier to keep track of.
There's definitely been an influx of particularly powerful lights that aren't really needed and create more of a problem than a solution
As a single commuter who is generally alone on open roads with traffic I have been using two bright flashers behind. Anecdotally from my experience, cars are passing me wider than previously using a single constant red light.
I can understand if you have a pack of roadies in front of you taking up a full lane, all with random flashing lights like a Christmas tree on speed.
But as an individual cyclist, I'm sticking with my flashers. Rear and front. I always have a permanent flashing headlight in front too, day and night. At night then I have an additional full headlight.
And I'm also a car owner AND a white van driver for a living.
I actually shout out compliments to random cyclists with decent lights.
Better than the swarms of suicide monkey Darwin Awards candidates that have either very poor or none at all.
@@tconnolly9820 Totally agree with you, solo, they're great, in town with a pack of other cycles they can be really confusing.
@@Electroheads Not having good lights are a huge danger on London's potholed roads. Yes, I have had some over 6 inches deep, for real. They ought to be as bright as vehicle headlights. Just ensure you shine them down on the roads, not into drivers faces and their rear view mirrors. Remember the handlebars where you mount your lights are well above those of cars.
Love the GTA style intro and outro and the video was well put together. I am trying to get in the mindset of using my ebike over my car more - the only issue is there isn't a big cost saving for me as I charge my car at home.
Thank you! Really appreciate it. The biggest plus for me with cycling is the exercise I get from it, which is something you wouldn't have with your car. And the cost to charge your ebike is SO minimal even compared to home charging an electric car - perhaps that can help inspire? 😉
@Electroheads yeah I keep trying to tell myself these points but you keep inspiring me 😅 gutted to have missed you at Everything Electric but hopefully at Farnborough
That was a surprise to see our favourite daughter-in-law !!!
I believe there was an entire episode filmed on saddle selection, especially for women riders, and I believe that made quite a big difference in comfortability, but it was never mentioned in the video as an upgrade or piece of "kit" to purchase. Maybe it is important too?
This should be required viewing before anyone walks out of the bike store with their new bike. Thx, ElectroHeads!
Wow thank you 😍
16km bike commute here, things learned:
Do not try to set a new record every day !
Slow down 1km before work , open the jacket let some steam out and you won't be so sweaty 🥵and like a steam locomotive 🚂when you arrive!
I recently added multicoloured spoke reflectors to my bike - eack spoke has its own reflector, and when the wheel is spinning it makes a white disk that is very visible. When stationary each reflector is still reflecting.
Super smart and I'm guessing pretty low cost?
@@Electroheads It was less than $10 for 72 reflectors, 12 each of 6 different colours
i love the gta editing!!
Most rear mudguards are too short or lack a flap, which means you still get wet if you're cycling behind someone. They keep their butts dry but you get sprayed in the face
I think you need a video on taking a full motorcycle test.
I got my CBT a few years ago but I didn't like going at the higher speeds (40/50/60mph) on a moped. Sadly I don't think I'd enjoy a motorbike 😭
I sometimes think that I am taking grandma for a ride, just so I don't get sweaty at the end.
I'm 66 in rural SE Ohio. No bike lanes in my area😢. I attached a reflective slow moving vehicle sign to the rear basket, and a mirror to my ebike. My county has more ag tractors than ebikes.
Good for you!! Keep up the good fight ✊
Stop. and don't worry about stopping, in my city there are alot of shared pedestrian cycle routes and routes through housing estates old narrow streets, Parks and towpaths. Cyclists are terrible for not slowing down, either they are head down on a training session or are just lazy to lose momentum. This is a non issue on a peddle assist, stop, put your foot down wait until priorities are negotiated with nods and smiles, do let the pedestrian through the labyrinth rather than charging up to it, give dog walkers chance to get bowser under control. or let the car past the congested parking, ahead of you, Smile and say hi when they have gone through.
I really enjoy this ladies videos, partially because is very pretty and had a great accent.
*xmas day is a good day to start,* no buses, bus lane wiiide open 😂
🤟🏽🤙🏽🤟🏽
Love this!
The biggest thing is to get out there. Try different things and eventually you will figure out what works best for your commute.
This is a brilliant point. Getting the right saddle really makes a hell of a difference and means you can ride for some much longer
Don't be too arrogant. Stay safe, stay happy.
BTW I hope I can see my name on the member list...😅
Oops! So sorry will be sure to update. Thank you for all your support ❤
I wish people stopped saying a lock of 10% bike cost, I can't find a £400 lock for my daily bike, best I know is hiplok d1000 that is between £200-250
My Dad taught me a similar thing when teaching me how to ride a motorbike, though he phrased it differently. “Ride like every bastard is out to get you”
Your Dad and my Dad know what they're talking about
I am madly in love with Eilis and she will never know....
Form an orderly queue
Defo get mirrors
Did you not learn biking as a child? in the Netherlands you learn as a child, when you are 12 and have to go to a school in a city etc, you do so by bike. We learned road safety in basic education when we where i think 8 or 9.
Yes we have cycle safety training in junior school, Have done for decades. I don't think it's mandatory though (it wasn't in my day), But people are lobbying it to be. As for at home, Sure we learn to ride bikes as early as 5 onward (if our parents care enough that is 😂), But not really any proper cycle training like those guys do in school.
Quite often there's a large cycling gap between 15 years old and ditching the car. Over confidence can also be a problem.
Perfectly right, the same applies to motorcycling. 99% of bikes accidents are fault of bike's riders. I know some will cry but after 40 years surviving motorised and unmotorised bikes here are my thoughts : As said against a car you will lose. SO your placement, trajectories, behaviours, have to be that even if the car WANTS to kill you, they can't succed. Obviously you need now to be really AWARE of your surroundings, so you need mirrors, and a 360° head mount, and oviously you will be slower. Ho and WEAR GLOVES ! yes your hands are beautiful but I can garantee they will be the first crushed if you fall.
I purposely got an e-bike with a carbon belt and internal rear hub gearing. No maintenance, no lube, almost no mess. Important if you have a 21 month-old inquisitive daughter.
I used to cycle to work every morning unless it was raining pouring
Don't wear head phones or look at a phone , someone with bolt cutters can cut almost any lock . Best lock I saw was one that cost 550 dollars , it's the hardest one to grind through . Hiplok D1000 Anti Angle-Grinder D Lock . Cost more than my bike lol .
Less than 6.3% of mine, please note based on SRAM red 22, I yet to work out SRAM red etap on bike total price
I can’t ride in traffic without my cheap bar-end rearview mirror.
I’m looking for a new bike what would you recommend
That is really dependant on how you wish to use it. Where you cycle, how far you want to cycle, wether you prioritise speed or comfort, & budget. Talking of budget, spend as much as you can afford. The nicer the bike the more you will want to use it. Like everything else you tend to get what you pay for. As far as e-bikes available in the UK are concerned, this channel has pretty fair reviews.
@@zivkovicableI live in the Netherlands and my last e-bike got stolen
@@user-py5lx5zp8n I lived in Rotterdam for three years, and i got through three bikes.
You can fit a tracker to your bike, buy two locks & get insurance, but unfortunately theft is a fact of life.
Love the gta
I have no idea how Ellis is able to cycle in freezing weather without a balaclava
To be honest, neither do I 😂
So, what’s happening with the scooter shop? Literally everything is out of stock
I ride on the road iv been injured many times. Iv rode on the pavement not one accident ever
😍
Thing i wish i knew before getting my first e-bike was how much my ass would hurt
Sounds like you need a new seat!
@@Electroheads definitely! Sadly, don't know what to pick, there are so many choices that i'm overwhelmed. Maybe a video idea?
I think a lot of delivery cyclist actually start like that, with a GTA screen on....
Dont wear the bike lock as a belt when riding because if you fall off it will break your spine.
Thank you I hadn't thought about the implications of wearing one. Will definitely stop doing that!
What about bike and rider insurance otherwise excellent
I cant find a lock anywhere near 1300€...
the first thing you should buy after the bike is a helmet, you can buy new gear after a crash, but you've only got 1 head👍
I am HERE for this
Read the Highway Code.
You did? Well done you!!
@@alexwilsonpottery3733 What kind of response is that? Why would you not read the rules of an activity before partaking in it?
If the police did their job properly all bikes without mudguards would be pulled off the public roads.
Surprised you didn't mention wear a 24 hours deodorant to keep armpits sweat free.
That’s not cycling it’s an electric moped. Don’t kid yourself
Serious risk to place a lock to your body.
Haha, yes! Saw a guy once with a U-lock round his neck.
Oh wow okay that's gonna make me rethinking wearing mine 😅
And wear a helmet
First
Helmets are for people that are 1, MTB'ing, 2, not confident in them selfs at riding and or are scared of death, 3, OAP's and that one is just self explanatory..
The only time i would find them acceptly useful is if ya riding at night because visibility is poor, but the daytime..., shouldnt be any excuses, really..
Ofcause, people can do what they want, but theres only a handful of people on the planet that suit wearing a bike helmet 😂 all the rest just look ridiculous 😂😂..
And again, Ofcause you can say (I'd rather look ridiculous and be safe than be dead), that's perfectly fine 😊
Its just
People be going 6 - 8 mph.. and there wearing a helmet!! 🤣😂.
Me nan with a bionic hip can walk faster than that💯.. 🤣🤣..
I dont know why, but it all just nags me 😂.
Rant done, thanks for reading 😂
Advice of a fool - I got deliberately knocked off my bike at speed by a groups of lads… my helmet saved my life.