Has anyone else felt this way when they started cycling? Maybe I haven’t found my style yet… or I think I am not “advanced” enough for the gear. I recently got into cycling for stress relief and exercise… I don’t know anyone else that does it. Everything I’ve learned has been on my own. Any tips for a beginner? Clothing recommendations, snack recommendations, tips, planning routes, etc.

Also: for those of you in a state that gets snow, what do you typically do for an indoor set up? I have a Liv Avail AR1

Thank you!!!! This is also super helpful

I just bought two bib/jersey "race" sets from attaquer. I am 5'3 and 60kg. The chart clearly had me upper small/lower medium so I went small bottoms and medium top as I was more comfortably in the small range for bottoms and at the edge of the small range for tops. I like a snug fit have narrow hips and broad shoulders.

One race set fit snug but nice. The other was waaaay to tight both top and bottom and see through!!! (Was the orange colour way) (I think I managed to buy the older model of the race kit in black and the newest version in orange and I am not a fan of the new cut)

Anyway. I am getting a refund for the orange colour way and was hoping for opinions on sizing and a different series. I love the look of the Intra line, but heard the shammy on the bibs has a low quality finish. Maybe the all day is the premium kit I am looking for?? Would love some input.

Hey friends!

I'm looking to take advantage of the Black Friday discounts to get some bibs. I want to try something new, so I'm looking for recommendations. I'm okay with spending some money, but I want it to be worth it.

I have PNS Mechanism (great, love them), Perla (good), Castelli multiple types (fine), and some cheaper ones. Which brand would you add to this list?

In May I bought my first racing bike, a Liv Avail AR. I'm using it for commuting and made the switch from a 'regular' bike. Obviously I had to get used to the new position. Because I had a painful knee and numb hands I decided to go for a bike fit. Eversince I haven't had any trouble with my knees, but the numb hands remained. I went back to the bike fitter a few months later. He switched my stem for a shorter one, which made me sit a little more straight up, to take some weight away of my hand. After all these months I'm still having numb hands and they really drive me crazy sometimes ... I'm also developing a pain in the palm of a hand, which I sometimes feel when I'm not biking. It feels like some sort of cramp.

I've now contacted the bike fitter again to have a look if we can change anything else, but I'm starting to fear that maybe the position of the bike isn't fit for me and that I might never get rid of these numb hands. I'm also fearing that I'm harming my hands/nerves when riding this bike. Other than that I really have no issues with the bike. I'm loving the speed of it, compared to my regular bike. Has anyone experienced this same problem?

I'm commuting every day and however it's only a +/- 20 minutes ride, I often arrive at work with both hands sleeping. I don't use any gloves. When I do I feel like my palm is getting even more cramped.

Edit: Thanks all for the comments! I've ordered some padded winter gloves and really hope this will make a (big) difference. My bike fitter also suggested this, combined with some core exercises (he's also a physiotherapist). I'll keep you updated :-)

I upgraded from a Reid Stepthru cafe cruiser to a Liv Rove 3 on the weekend, slapped some lights on to deal with rush hour traffic and commuted to work for the first time (10km). Only got lost once, heaps of off road cycle trails and cars were v well behaved. Luckily we have a great shower and bike lock set up at work so I was in my seat, clean and high on endorphins right on time. Next question, why didn’t I do this years ago?

Like the title says, I have $70 left on my workout gear stipend from my job and I'm looking to buy something with it. I can't buy clothes, but I can buy bike accessories. Any ideas? It just disappears if I don't spend it, so it'd be really nice to use. Just struggling to think of things I actually need that are around that amount.

I am a uni student who has recently got really into cycling, but gym leggings just aren't doing it anymore, when I cycle more than 15km it hurts. Budget is limited, im talking £30 if possible, and because I'm in the UK I need long not shorts. If anyone has tried some that you would recommend that would be awesome. Also any tips on how to find the right sizing would help a lot!

Hi All! I began cycling 6 months ago with a Trek bike given to me by a friend. I believe the bike is too large for me and felt ready to upgrade to a road bike. Some context on my rides, I usually ride around 10 miles (just short rides to turn my brain off) after work in the evening on asphalt roads in the park. I’ve ridden about 4-5 days a week. I’m a little overwhelmed by the amount of choices and prices, and I don’t live near a local bike shop. Brands like Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant suggested to me. I’m open to both used or new and my budget is under $1500USD. I have looked on Facebook and many of the bikes seem too large, I’m 5’4” (163cm). Thanks for any advice.

Has anyone here ever (preferably recently) gotten a Terry custom build?

I've been riding the same bikes for 10-15 years and I'm looking to upgrade into my forever bike. It would be a huge spend for me, but worth it to have a piece of women's cycling history and a bike designed to continue to fit me as I grow older and my riding style inevitably changes.

Because it's such a big purchase and not something I can easily return, and because there aren't a lot of reviews online, I'm looking for any experiences, good or bad.

I’ve been road cycling more consistently for the last 6 months but one thing I struggle with a bit is confidence when going downhill. I think this is partly due to the fact that where I live and train is incredibly flat and I’ve not been exposed to big climbs! But I’m going away in a couple of weeks to somewhere more mountainous with some friends who are much more avid cyclists than myself and I want to be confident going downhill and at a bit more speed. Any tips would be great!

Edited “tenor” should be “related” thanks autocorrect eyeroll

I have ridden road for years, gravel for less years and just started mountain biking. My spouse wants to know what I’d like for Christmas. What is the best bike related gift or item you must have that you love?!?

I've got a cheapo magnetic trainer that I currently use with a formerly taco-ed rim and a chewed-up old tire. I'm interested in a direct drive trainer, but I can't really justify the cost for as little as I ride inside. The floor on my office is constantly covered in rubber dust. I'm dealing with a mild case of long covid at the moment and I've also previously had cancer and I'm not aching for a round two.

So, with no further preamble, to those who used to use beat-up old tires and have made the switch to purpose-built trainer tires, do you notice a difference in rubber dust levels?

I'm now in my 40s and beginning to worry about my long-term health more than I used to. Modern tire rubber is seriously gnarly and I'm a little afraid I'm inhaling a lot of it. I don't want to be wasteful if trainer tires aren't meaningfully different on this front, but my future health is worth it. Most of the internet seems to be more worried about reduced noise or tire longevity, but that's not really what I'm worried about.

Hi all, As the title says, I’m 5 foot/5 foot 1, looking for a road bike for recreational triathlon, I have a giant Liv size S but still too big for me.

Would love to hear from anyone who are similar to my size 😊

TIA

So, context: I’ve been given the opportunity to create a social media mini series specifically targeting women cyclists (for a cycling company with a majority male audience…shock horror!! 🙃) and so I’m curious about 3 things:

1. what are the things that really frustrate you specifically as a woman cyclist? Silly or serious, whether it’s bib straps not being made for boobs to attitudes of men
2. what are your best biking tips that are really only specific to women?
3. if you use social media (more Facebook/Instagram/youtube), what kind of content would you want to see, or see more of when it comes to the women’s cycling sphere?

Here’s to more women on bikes, at start lines and chasing up hills!!

Posted this in r/bicycling and got a lot of helpful responses, but primarily from men. So hopefully I’ll get some responses more related to my female body-

Please answer and don't just offer body positivity, I'm aware I should work on my self image. I've began my plan to start biking an hour every day. I don't exercise or eat the best, so l'm excited that this will get me in shape. But I'm concerned that undesirable changes in my appearance might occur, and want to know what to expect. For context I'm an 18 year old female, who's been skinny and on the short side my whole life. My metabolism has never been a problem, but l've started to notice some belly fat I'd like to flatten. However my main concern is since I lack any curve (especially hips), I'm afraid of losing whatever "behind" I have. I also am insecure of my broad shoulders, so I'm wondering if biking often could make them more broader. Hopefully since I'll be biking on mostly flat grounds my arms won't be noticeably affected. But I really hate having an inverted triangle shape to my body, and want to avoid worsening it. What can I do? Should I try something else? Google gives me mixed messages, so please answer!!

Tis the season of super cold riding and I find myself getting ear aches! What do you wear over your ears that still fits under a snug helmet?

Do any of you wear protection on your chests?

I had a really bad fall last year and my breasts got hit by the handle bar. (It was a long time since I had ridden a bike; I unexpectedly went over a pot hole cover and the handles swerved.)

The consequences really stressed me out. Now I'm too worried to ever try cycling again. I feel like protection on sensitive places could give me better confidence but I'm not sure if chest guards are even a thing?

Advice pls

UPDATE: Thank you all for your great input, you’ve confirmed what I was thinking. As someone said, if we don’t buy from our LBSs then they won’t be able to exist. I’m going to see if the list price is the best they can do, but regardless, still buy from them because I like these guys.

ORIGINAL POST: I have a great LBS that helped me pick out a bike that I really like. It was close to closing time after I finished trying out bikes so I said I would think about it. I looked it up online when I got home and found the same bike on sale at a couple of bigger online bike shops. I’m talking about $450 on a $2,000 touring bike. I really want to buy from my LBS but could really use the savings to get racks, panniers and maybe fenders that otherwise will have to wait. Opinions?

My mind is really just...my chronic pain stuff has also been high. I dunno...

I did a road trip through NZ a while ago, and I found the notebook I had. I remember how I was then, and I see how I am now, and I know pushing for something with this mental state is just going to work against me. Instead of convincing me that i can live and enjoy...I know that at this juncture, I have no resilience, no workaround to keep going, so I will probably get off my bike when it seems a bit much, and just sit. No home, no forward. Just sit.

I've not called it off, just pushing it back. Maybe I'll pick up that notebook and be active about it.

I'm telling the Internet because...I don't have anyone else I'm up to telling. I'm simply not okay and in the echo chamber of it all.

So now, I get to spend my birthday alone. And...don't know what to do for it.

As I get older, I’m trying to be better about the kinds of snacks I take on rides. I’ve read that women especially should eat less carbs and more protein (esp whey protein) to help with muscle loss. Does anyone have favorites? I’ve already been eating nuts and the like, just curious if there are other portable options I haven’t found.

EDIT: I did not expect this to be so contentious! It’s in so many magazines I thought it was something everyone did.

Changing my question to favorite POST-RIDE quick protein snack I could carry since I’m not always home at the end of a ride.

I've been primarily into stationary cycling and secondarily mountain biking. I have a Trek marlin 7 52cm for when I mountain bike. I would like to get into an endurance bike now. I've been doing some research and I'm curious of what yall think about this deal? It appears to be a 2003. On Kelly Blue Bike it said trade in around $75 and outright $150. I'm hoping to negotiate lower if this would be a good bike in general?

Does anyone else get…anxious at the idea of biking after a hiatus?

I think this applies to most exercise with me, but I feel it particularly strongly with biking. Anytime I get out of a routine or have to take a break for health/work reasons, I feel so overwhelmed at the thought of going for a ride and not being able to do the rides I was doing before at the same rigor/physical intensity.

I know bodies are so malleable and change, but I feel so poorly if I say, can’t do a long ride or a huge climb that I used to be able to do. And that poor feeling makes me not want to get back on the bike at all!

I especially feel this because I use Strava to record my rides, so not only do I have exact metrics for how I’m not at my old physical capabilities, but I also feel embarrassed to post a shorter easy ride. And I see others do it! And I still have too much anxiety to do so!

I guess I just haven’t found a riding buddy who’s at my pace. The group rides I’d go on, I always felt like I was holding the group back a bit. Now that the weather’s changing, I want to get rides in when I can! I live in CO and there’s much less ice in the winter, and the snow dissipates quickly, so it seems feasible. But I’m so anxious about getting out there and being disappointed in my effort. I’m also anxious I’m undeserving of my kit/gear now because I’m not in peak physical shape to be doing the rides that warrant a lot of it. OR I feel silly getting all this gear on just to do a 10-mile ride!

I would love some advice on how to get over this procrastination/anxiety hump and be okay with where I’m at and the rides I can/can’t do. I have ADHD and it’s a huge contributor to my procrastination problems-I just don’t know what the right motivators are!

I'm having a good novice cx season at the same time basically no budget bc 84% of my paycheck goes to childcare. Anything worth scoping out for Black Friday? I'm still on flats so perhaps Giro Privateer style shoes? Can anyone recommend double sided MTB clipless pedals? Or GoreWear for cycling in the winter? (Don't have a trainer, don't really want one, I'd rather ride outside and do my triathlon stuff, run outside all winter, cross country ski etc). I have more than enough gloves, balaclava, etc. Don't have a powermeter, not in the running for one until my job situation changes. Bonus if you can think of something I can buy my husband to bike with me :) (I already have a wonderful Burley trailer and he has a nice All City Bike)

Hi! I have a brompton with the standard saddle that came with the bike and it is very uncomfortable for me to ride longer distances with. I measured my sit bones and they’re ~165 mm apart from each other. the video i watched about how to measure your sit bones said you should add 20ish mm to the distance to find the correct saddle width, meaning i should find something that’s about 185 mm wide. Does anyone have any suggestions for saddles that will be this wide? I was looking at Brooks saddles, but they all seem to be too narrow to accommodate me. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I have loads of cycling clothes, but most of it is cheap or entry level. I'd like to get a couple of premium pieces for the long summer rides. Unfortunately, it's challenging to try things at a store because most premium brands only sell to specific boutique stores or online. A friend recommended Assos. I'm also getting targeted relentlessly by Jelenew and they look nice? Have any of you tried these out? What other brands should I consider investing in?

Hi! Question for all the women cycling in very sunny climates: how do you keep the ends of your hair from becoming a bleached dry mess? I’m in Arizona at the moment and my hair is very unhappy about it. I use conditioner and do keratin treatments every other week, but is there something I could use or do on rides to prevent my hair from getting sun damage? Specifically the ends.

HI All,

Thank you for all the chafing posts. My derm recommended a 'benzaderm 10% wash'-I used it before (let it dry) and after biking. Also if the skin erupts I immediately use an rx 'clindamycin phosphate 1%' 1x daily. Since this regimen, I've been pretty much ingrown free.

That said my pearl izumi chamois doubles up between my thighs and the area get sore. Would aquifer work for keep the skin soft & subtle (less prone to problems-yes it has petroleum). What do y'all recommend for skin application without plant based ingredients that will give me a smoother, less painful/irritating ride? I would appreciate specific brand names.

Many thanks colleagues of the road!

It feels like when the muscle is flexing, noticeably during a downward peddle stroke, sometimes mid-stroke, when the muscle bulges out, it hits my saddle, like there's not enough room. It's like there's not enough room for the muscle to flex and it pushes against the saddle and it hurts really badly. It's also pretty much only with the left gluteus. Has anyone else had this happen? It's been making cycling very painful. I'm hoping this is just a very obvious fit issue. I'm wondering if my handlebars were lowered, etc. if that might help. Thanks so much.

Hey gang, the time has come for me to do an overhaul on my rainy weather and dark days gear! I just purchased a Proviz reflect 360 jacket, but curious what you all are wearing that has clearance for layering, high viz and ideally waterproof.