10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Cycling
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- 10 things I wish I knew as a beginner cyclist
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Maybe stretching and working on your core stability is a good point for beginners. Getting fast is also about getting aero. So if you start with the off bike training right away you'll have a better time in the long run.
I agree about the rest. Spent 2600€ on my new gravel/adventure bike and it is so amazing. Has a heavy steel frame and 2,25" mtb tires and it almost rides itself. Got it at my lbs and they are a great source of knowledge and actually I picked the lbs before even choosing the bike because service when you need it is more important than saving 100€ with an online retailer only to wait 2 months for something to get fixed.
Bike value is a big one. It’s easy to get drawn in to the shiny upgrade when watching other CZcams channels. You’ve actually saved me from doing this.
You can buy a top end, steel bike, second hand for less than a new, bottom end bike. It may be decades old, but it will give decades more service.
I’ve been burned by so many bike shops in the past that I ended up learning to fix everything on my bike myself. This is the number one tip I’d give to anyone starting out. Not only do you save boat loads of money, get instant service (because you are the one doing it), you’ll quickly discover it’s not nearly as complicated as you may think to service your own bike.
That used to be true but with carbon, electronic gears, hydraulic brakes you need a heap of specialist tools that get very little use. Not sure it’s worth it if you can find a good local mechanic.
@@enigma1000If you can (and a big IF at that), it's not worth it and I say this as someone with shop mechanic experience.
However, I myself have so many tools that it's enough to build a rim brake road bike with a mechanical groupset at home from the frame up, even with an uncut steerer tube.
This was how I built my current bike when I switched frames.
I also built a bike from parts. Besides the usefulness it is rewarding building something yourself.
Also, you can do crazy custom things. Like putting the Di2 cable on the handlebar right under a finger joint so you can't feel it. My bike is a one-of-a-kind custom bike built only for me and what I want.
If you have the time and the interest it is very rewarding.
I would definitely find out which shop has the expertise needed. My first road bike was not correctly adjusted from the shop which I quickly figured out as I had trouble clipping out of my pedals and fell down at a full stop. The top notch mechanics pay attention to every detail and it can be quite alot. Ask your local riders/club who they recommend. Personally I have no issue paying a mechanic for the experience and expertise they provide.
Completely agree. I’ve done loads with the help of CZcams including upgrading/replacing derailleurs and servicing hydraulic brakes
You forgot to mention that it's important to remember, there will always be someone faster and someone slower than you. Ride your ride and not someone else's.
I don't think there's ANYONE slower than me!
EVERYONE passes me. Old people, youth, children!
The only time I passed someone was when I was young man was having trouble learning how to ride.
I don't let it stop me, but I find it baffling.
@@indigop38Hey, slow riders (like me) make fast(er) riders look good. You’re welcome, ya’ll! 😁
@@brucebarthold5359 ☺️
11. Don't get analysis paralysis - too much reading into training methods / data / bicycle material and setup will burn you out. Just ride the damn bike!
Damn I'm way too much contemplating whether to leave my Schwalbe rapid robs as they were, or throw them out, make them as spares and get Racing Ralphs + Rays. Those cost a bit, but I'll finally learn how to change tyres in my bike. Those cost a bit though...
this is a good general piece of advice, too. all too often when getting into hobbies you might feel like you need to know it all but there's no possible way you will so just take it easy and you'll get there eventually.
This !!!
If it gets to the point where it actively hinders you. then yes. Otherwise, I think a lot of people enjoy "nerding" into their hobby and reading everything their is to read. But yeah theory is nothing without practice
This is why I love this channel: no junk and pure honesty while delivering with great humour. Thanks a lot! 😊
4:05 Another important aspect of supporting your LBS, that is rarely mentioned... a good LBS is often one of the strongest voices or a common hub for cycling advocacy in your local area. If you want better cycling advocacy and support in your local area, consider any "extra" money you feel you may spend as a small investment in your local cycling community. Always support a good LBS when you can!
+1 vote for supporting local bike shops. Even on holidays I'll step into the LBS and look for a jersey, cap, or water bottle as a souvenir of the holiday.
.....when I first read that I thought you meant lbs [pounds as it weight] 😆
...but this is a point because instead of spending an extra 2k on a lighter bike just shed a few pounds of your own body weight - healthier and cheaper...it's a win win 😃
Just remember to like non bike stuff too. Best advice you’ve ever given. And a great video too
on the topic of bicycle weight.
Hobby cyclists (at least in my country) usually have a few extra kilos. It makes much more sense to work on that, instead of paying much more for a bike that is 500 grams lighter.
austria? :D
My top tip is ride frequently (more than once a week) and year round. You'll avoid detraining and getting overweight, unmotivated and unfit. Don't worry about the time or distance, just have it as a habitual thing.
FULLY AGREED so many people don’t get this 🤝
Do Take a break and do other sports tennis running swimming some gymwork etc ...... Don't take a break to binge eating/drinking lol..
The great thing about your channel is that you're not always pushing the most expensive gear. Coming into road cycling after getting by with my 30-year-old Giant mountain bike (still used occasionally), I was blown away by the quality of my second-hand, Sora-equipped steel-framed bike. I did later get a secondhand carbon bike for faster local rides but the steel bike is my regular for commuting and works flawlessly. Most importantly. it's fun and comfortable to ride.
I LOVE the tip about learning slow skills! I didn't figure this one out until going on a big community activist ride with many slow bottlenecks, which was some intense on the spot practice for bike handling. As cyclists we focus on going faster, but the finesse you learn from going super slow makes you such a better overall rider, and those skills are especially critical on group rides or commuting safely in traffic.
Great vid as always. What a journey. From a £200 carerra mtb to a specialised crosstail, building up the tools learning how to change a cassette and chain...becoming obsessed over a clean chain, to doing LEJOG on it. I think I wen't full OTT when I bought my carbon roadie (don't knock a Boardman from halfords BTW at the £1.5k mark and is the best bike I've ridden. Does an 04:30 AM commute sound like an obsession. Thanks again for the great vid guys. Keep them coming!
What a great video! I think every cyclist, whether a beginner or a weathered veteran should see this. 10 great tips and I agree with every one of them. Unfortunately, my LBS is a bit crap, so I have to drive 30 minutes to a good one, but that's ok. It's worth the drive to go to a shop that truly cares and has skilled mechanics. Keep up the great work, and keep advocating for affordable bikes!
Super great video! Thanks for sharing all! After 2 years that i bought my gravel bike and now looking back , i can fully relate with all stated in the video, it is a great help for the new people in this beautiful hobby!Thanks again and all the best!!
Hi Francis, congrats!!! one of the best videos from this channel.
Yep, totally agree on the local bike shop. I recently got a frame for a gravel bike. Most of the parts I needed were at the local shop, and since I did not have to pay shipping or deal with potential losses or delays in shipping, the cost generally were pretty close. I am a long time customer of this shop and anything they had already, they gave me a discount on it, and while I know their cost is still less, and they are not losing money, the side benefits of working with them, out weighs the small discounts I would have gotten buying the parts online. I support a local small business, they give me tremendous service and I make them cookies for Black Friday. Win-Win for everyone.
Great one, all points but especially the "Sweet spot price point".
I feel so lucky to have found a EUR 1700 bike, right in the period around end 2021 where bikes were hard to find (besides being able to afford it of course).
A sub 8kg carbon Canyon Ultimate with rim brakes and 105 group set, I'm still thrilled to this day! For me that was a sweet spot 🙂
Well said, Nice to hear an honest balanced view from someone that's obviously come 360 and is able to look at his community now with outside eyes.
Yeah... that #10 got me! Been riding for 2 years now and I'm hooked and I'm having a blast!
Loved this vid, the previous one, and your channel. Particularly loved the bike greatness vs cost graph! I think you were right on the money.
Love the honest commentary. Nice job
Thank you, my uncle gifted me a vintage road bike with a flat handlebar. I was undecided about replacing it with a curved one. I started cycling with this road bike since 2021, and it has made cycling a lot more enjoyable for me than using a regular bike. I'm glad I discovered a new hobby that I love, and now it could even become a new job for me as a delivery driver.
Good stuff, and I agree with everything. I'm a bike nut and own eight bikes. One of my favorites is heavy. Oddly enough, I take it on some challenging climbs because I'm comfortable on it when I ride it hard.
I wish I’d realised that going flat out up a hill, cos it’s a hill, isn’t the best approach, and that fuelling on rides is massively important 👍😎🚴
I agree that the $2k-$3k price range is the sweet spot for quality bike pricing- I wish more companies focused on that price point by improving the bikes as much as possible, being it’s likely the most popular option for a lot of people.
Amen to your comment !
Honestly find the 500-1500€ price range to be even more so, especially when you buy from direct-to-consumer companies. For e-bikes I'd say 1500€ is the sweet spot as well.
$?
That's not agreeing really, as he mentioned 0.5 to 2K as sort of sweet spot and beyond that wouldn't be really worth it.
Hardly anyone needs $3k bikes. The road bike line from Decathlon is so good that at least 50% of all road bike users get all they need for 600...1000US$
I felt point 10 the most. Picked up cycling a few years ago in my mid 30’s to stay fit and have some adventures (thanks to Francis’ epic vlog rides). Little did I know that I would fall in love with riding but on the positive even though it takes over your life you make new and interesting friends to share it with!
I'm watching the video after waking up to an alarm for a group ride 😂
Good stuff. Worth considering a spare quick link and even a rear derailleur hanger. I've used both on long rides. The hanger was the difference in limping hone vs. finishing the ride.
"It's the shoes!" Spike Lee was right and so were you and James. The right shoes made 6 hour rides achievable as opposed to screaming agony after 90 minutes.
Want a lighter bike setup? Lighten the rider. As my fitness improved, my ability to handle longer climbs improved...reverse is true too when I remember how good chocolate 🍫 tastes.
Thanks as always Francis
Excellent advice, thank you 🙏🏾
I wish I knew how helpful the group rides would be! I usually prefer to be alone when exercising. I’ve never played a team sport. Group rides are great!They’ve showed me so many great routes, and continue to push me to grow. For me, it’s still not a team sport (and I like that), but it comes with a lot of the benefits of being surrounded by others with a common goal.
I just love these videos that are meant for everyone really, but especially for the average/rookie/newbie cyclist, such as myself. I don't have the budget for a $400 bike, my current bike is $250 with SENSAH group, and I use it for commuting and the occasional Sunday local climb. These videos in this channel have helped me quite a lot to understand that it is 100% not about getting the MOST expensive stuff (unless you need it for competitions or can afford it for your own fun which is fine too) but about enjoying the ride and being good at it too. Love it, thanks!
I got cheap one second hand and have been learning on it how to do maintenance. Latter Ill get a better one and give this one to my brother
Great channel with awesome content!! I started riding in 2020 during the pandemic after 35 years of not riding a bicycle, I obtained and rode an old 80’s Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed for a year before I found out about brake shifters!!! What a game changer that has become!!! Cycling has become my new #1 hobby!!!
So nice... It's a 35 years old tech I think, and I got my first "cheap" Shimano RSX 25 years ago, still riding with it btw, but it's just so secure and comfortable, compared to old frame shifters!!!
Great video! I have clicked subscribed! 😊 When I started road cycling in my teens I wished I had started earlier! Also to learn the importance of looking after your bike…im still learning this one. My good friend just sighs when he looks over my bike at the workshop! 😢
Good list. Definitely debunking the tropes that people fall into.
I like folders because they prevent me from taking it all "too seriously", but even with them, I can go really fast, optimize gearing and comfort, etc.
Great video. Good advice/info and keeping it real.
Couple of tips based on my experiences. Don't let the bike shop sell you a bike that doesn't suit your needs re: usage and fit. In my case I sold a bike that was not what I needed re: the terrain I was riding (gearing), my level of fitness and flexibility, and the bike was the wrong size (too small). In other words, sold a borderline race bike (Cannondale CAAD 9), when I needed a more endurance geometry and appropriate gearing for the very hilly area in which I live. Don't let the shop convince you that they can "fit" you to any bike. In my experience, if it feels wildly out of range and not comfortable, it most likely will never be right. Agreed re: weight. I have a Masi Giramondo (27lbs) and a Orbea Avant (21lbs). I enjoy the Avant, and the lower weight allows for higher gearing vs the Masi, but the weight of the Masi is not a hinderance because of it's very low gears and very comfortable ride. Ride what feels good.
Back when I was still working in a bike shop, I'd always advise those who are looking for a new bike to have a bike fit on a fit bike first to see if the bike they want suits them geometrically.
My experience is both similar and opposite, I was also "offered" a bike that didn't fit me by a shop, but it was too large, with shorter cranks than I was used to, and despite being 2 x more expensive than my older mass produced Peugeot road bike, the new one is much less comfortable, less manoeuvrable, I feel like I have less power, so my rides are shorter and fewer...
Btw, isn't the CAAD a cyclocross bike? Unlike you, I'm looking to buy one to replace my aging unfit bike, as a more lively all rounder. "Borderline"... I suppose that's a good way to describe CX bikes? I only tried one long ago, it was like a little bomb! I hope the new one will be more to my liking! Maybe you could try to replace the stem and a few cogs... or just sell it.
No, the CAAD is a pretty hard core road race bike. Not the most comfortable.@@DR_1_1
really good video brother! shout-out from Brazil!
Thank you. One of the few videos I really like
Finally a new one from Cade Media - my dark cold day went a bit brighter now. A big servus from Stuttgart.
Great practical video. I wish I knew more about bike fitting when I was starting out, especially top tube length!
How great was this? Thank you Francis. Can`t imagine 10 things more important and therefor belonging in the first video. So i`l have to watch it. Greetings from Germany!
Find your nearest bike swap community. I got my bike at a swap and I love it. Til death do we part.
I got it for $100 almost a decade ago, and over the years bought new parts to make it my dream ride.
I spent less than $1000 total over the years. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find a good frame in their size for such good price, but buying an old bike from the past 10-30 years and building it up with more modern or NOS parts can get you a bike that feels and performs better than any new $2000+ bike, for less than at least half the price.
A good set of quality flat pedals and shoes are almost as good as clips/carbon shoes for general riding.
i thought drop bars was for me but went back to flat etc. love my hybrid bike does everything i need. thanks for the video
Thanks Frances. Keeping it real. And if there are multiple LBS, visit all of them. You never know when you will need to visit them.
A down to earth approach to cycling.Yes, thank you!
thx. good advices. i will start going more often outside and also practice on low speed, as i got intro touble once when i needed to turn on a very sharp angle/curbe because of a tree felt on a path.
I wish I knew to lay down the money for a pair of quality cycling shoes when I first began riding. I went through and tolerated for way too long, hot feet. For anyone who's gone through this, you know what I'm talking about. I thought that it was just a matter of my feet getting used to this new thing I was doing. I was WAY wrong! So after purchasing a properly sized carbon pair of shoes and insoles, it changed the entire experience. First, it was pain-free, an obvious advantage. Second, it made me faster because they are much stiffer. And finally, the more expensive shoes tend to have more style and I like that. I'm a form and function kind of guy after all. Great video CADE MEDIA!
Yes, the 5 AM 10-12 mile ride before work. I just started doing those a couple of months ago. I actually feel more energetic throughout the day than I did before doing them. 👍👍
Same for me in terms of feeling better through the day, leaving at 4.45am to catch the sunrise in Queensland and ride along the water is awesome in itself.
Great video. Also, the importance of lights!
All of this, thank you.
Never thought I'd say this, but Number 9 / Slow Skills really came in useful today. I got caught in a downpour and didn't fancy getting off when exiting the forest trail. I managed to squeeze out a narrow, gnarly, space by the entrance barrier. The things we do, to preserve a dry saddle, lol.
Last thing is so true! I used to shake my head at cyclists and had knee issues so i refused to bike. After getting an ebike i found out cycling is fun and got myself a road bike and now i’m fully invested in the sport 😅
All excellent points, but number 10 is great advice!
Great tips and advice, per usual.
That’s the best video i saw until now, glad I understand English
I love the way you explain prices of the bike.
This was great!! Thanks!
Love this video. You have my subscritpion for sure
I’m in love with Gravel bikes ❤
Love the emphasis on "fun". I'm a rower and using cycling to x-train. Great community but like you say, it can get all-consuming! What to do?? Cycle? Row? Both are amazing and fun
You're telling my story except for me it's mountaineering :). Cade media is super for drawing in us folks that start off casual
@@DC-lu5qsright?? Being able to get out and enjoy what we have around us is crucial for mental health. Getting on winter time here so my 2 fav things to do are now inside 😢BUT praying we get some good snow this winter! 🎿⛷️
Great video boys 👍
Great points!
Diminishing returns graph/discussion was useful and applicable to all things in nature.
I ride every day before work. During the hottest, most humid months, I must enjoy the first two hours after sunrise because afterwards the heat index soars to 30C or higher.
Every time you say, "400-pound bike", I must remind myself you mean money, not mass. Another reason for the USA to go metric. 🙂
Keep up the good work.
Very good video! Things that would have loved to know before:
1) almost all Gravel bikes are seriously underbiked, get that wider range right from the start!
2) you don't want a Gravel bike. You want a mountain bike with Dropbars (they are also cheaper because they aren't hyped like Gravel bikes)
Decent clothing, it really can make or break the cycling experience, doesn’t have to be silly expensive although my Goretex Shakedry rain jacket was expensive but it is incredible! When you are troubling the same roads and trails as Francis and Jimmi, you need to be warm and dry 😁
Do you have advice what to do against rain in winter/fall? Got into a spontaneous heavy downpour and my pants were soaked after seconds. That felt very bad with the cold air when riding fast. I have spares, food, powerbank etc in my framebag so there's no space for rainlegs.
@@alexanderh2715 bigger saddle bag! there are some decent wind/rain repellent bib tights on market. Generally the better they are, the more they cost because they are very hi tech. Breathable fabrics are the key but ones can keep the wind out. And every cyclist will tell you it’s all about layers
@@alexanderh2715 merino wool leggings under your pants will keep you warm when wet and aren't too hot when its dry.
Just learned this recently: The little coloured sticky-down bits on Shimano road bike cleats are *not* necessary for operation on the bike. You don't have to worry if they wear away to nothing. They are there for walking on (which is weird to me since they are such a soft plastic and often fall off entirely, but whatever...)
I got a new pair of shoes from my fitter over the summer (hallelujah, wide fit FTW) and they set them up with the stock non-grippy gray Keo cleats. I always had the other kind but the clip-in feel is SO much more satisfying without the gray rubbery bits getting in the way. I now just carry cleat covers in my jersey for the cafe stop.
Last point is close to home. I unknowingly became a bike weirdo and adapted my schedule to waking up early just to get that sweet spot when there's 0 traffic (as a urban rider that I am), it's quiet and slightly dark outside. The reaction to my first pedal strokes in the morning is of pure agony, it's cold and my body is still sluggish. But I never regret it, especially after I get back home and my girlfriend hasn't even woke up yet, and I can go about my day as if I didn't just pedal 20km by 7 AM that day.
Agree with everything except the carbon finishing kit. A good compliant carbon bar and seat post can make a big difference in comfort.
After 40 yrs cycling, God only knows what I've spent, however, I've met friends, raced, commuted, worked in the industry etc and enjoyed it....... Worth every penny👍🚴♀️
Question.. I have a few pairs of decent pair of SPD shoes for my gravel bikes that I also use on my road bike with Ultra single sided SPD pedals.. What would the benefit be to change the road bike shoes( and pedals) to SPD-SL for my road bike ? All I see is a similar shoe without grip uncomfortable to walk about on , Float seems similar and to change would just be another cost to pedals, another pair of shoes.
Drop bars are much more than for comfort. Drop bars when used correctly provide substantial leverage (when out of the saddle) for the arms and core to get involved with power delivery through the legs. Basically, you're using the drop bar as a grab lever opposite your drive leg, and alternating sides to pull maximum leverage from your body.
If your just sitting in the saddle however drop bars are mostly for comfort yes I'd agree with that.
I love your videos! A request for a new video: best upgrades for your MTB to make it the perfect bike for commuting to work. Like, changing to a H-bar handlebar, tires, etc. Is it worth it or not? I am considering trying this, but I have no idea if it is worth it or not. Would love to hear your opinions. I am using my MTB during the fall and winter. Maybe I should just buy a gravel bike?
"Bikes at entry level have never been so good." Spot on. Any of the entry-level gravel bikes with Microshift or SORA and through-axles are hard to beat, in my opinion. You're getting a lot of capability for not too much money, if you can spend $1200-$1500 USD/£1000.
For $1500 I can find a bike fitted with 105/GRX, all hydraulic brakes...
Now they are hard to get your hands on.
Also a rear mech hanger is worth carrying.
Loved the video
love the list. nr 9 had me laugh. thanks
At the start I was led astray by buying a road bike that had no capacity for taking files to the office or picking up shopping. Had to buy a second touring bike for utility.
the price of about 2k was in my mind as well. in the 2k you can get a decent carbon frame, 105 gearing, decent alu wheels equipped with mid-range to high end tires and maybe a carbon seatpost to increase comfort. spend another 100-200 to change your saddle and a decent pair of shoes and you are set to begin with...
Love point #10!
The same for running and muscle building ! Volume of training is CRUCIAL, before intensity. (maybe intensity is a little more important for building muscle but still, volume goes first)
One difference is that for building muscles you need to eat first. If you don't gain weight, you won't grow muscles - except if you are already overweight of course!
Otoh although cycling consumes a lot of calories, better stay fit, no need to gain weight.
Hi people, a crazy noob here. Like, super, super noob. I walked to the shop, purchased a Merida Scultura 300 (road bike, mid range). Really cool bike. Then, like an absolute nutjob, just because I was very excited, I purchased:
1. Mountain bike pedals because they matched the bike’s colour and I thought will be more comfortable because they are large
2. Purchased a wide seat because I thought it’s gonna be more comfortable.
3. Purchased handlebar raisers because I thought that will help me sit more upright, which I thought is more comfortable.
4. Purchased Wahoo speed and cadence meters.
The moment I joined a cycling club, all the pros there gave me an earful.
I used to ride a mountain bike as a kid, and that’s what I was trying to do to my road bike - bring it to an MTB configuration which is a plain stupid ideaz
I ended up changing the pedals, removing the stem raisers, and installing back the thinner seat that came with the bike. The wahoo speed and cadence meters are the least bad choice I made. But, I have an Apple Watch, which calculates my speed anyway (using GPS). And if you have the Strava subscription, then it calculates your point-to-point speed as well. Now both of these are probably using GPS and machine learning, and I still trust the Wahoo’s sensors as they do the same thing mechanically, but I compare the results a lot - they are pretty close. So except for cadence, my sensors aren’t really giving me value for money.
Please, if you too are an excited beginner like me:
1. Joining a club/consulting a pro should be your first priority, not last.
2. Don’t buy shit you don’t know the purpose of.
3. Don’t self-identify as a bike fitter/physiotherapist. I’m not saying you can’t figure out what’s comfortable for you - but you’re better off doing that with stock setting of the bike, than buying stuff and throwing it away because it’s useless.
Hugely valuable and a much needed antithesis to the GCN brigade
I get this, liking this, thank you
✨Best video I've seen. ✨
Thank you!
good vid.very casey neistat with the graph! i wish i knew: road biking isn't as daunting as i thought
Also, a good second-hand bike is even more bang for your buck. If you pick a bike that sells new for 3000 pounds and pick it up when it's six years old for 600 pounds, you get the best of both worlds (sweet spot for price you pay and sweet spot for quality) so you can splash some cash on some really comfy kit to keep you in the saddle longer.
Superb advice, thanks :-)
Great Video!
Top advice.
Here’s my top “I wish I knew” about cycling: you will crash, and the more you ride the more likely you will get hurt very bad. I’m talking hospitalized. Eventually, you will crash so bad it ends your season.
But you wanna know something? I keep coming back. I’ve been doing this over 40 years and I’ve had some terrible accidents. I was hit head on by a car, and I broke my neck. Thankfully, I walked away from that one … and I keep coming back.
🙀😮
And each time you crash you learn a new way to never crash again! Tips, for me, almost always because I was going too fast.
I wish I would have learned earlier on that Strava is just as bad for you as any other social media when not used in moderation. Although it can motivate you it can also massively discourage you. I enjoy cycling much more when I’m riding for myself and less concerned about how it will look on Strava.
The setting an alarm for 5 AM bit got me because I just started doing that recently. LOL
❤ this channel
Ideal price if you can stretch to it around £1300 give or take. I got a Spa elan steel bike with decent shimano wheels and bearings running 105 kit and trp cable disk brakes. Even the tyres are schwalbe one's 700-38's that's also going to bag you a Ribble GRX-AL with full 105 12 speed and you can't complain at that these days. Bike like that looked after are good for decades.
Wish I'd known about frame sizes better. For years I was riding a bike that was slightly to big for me.
Same here. In fact I knew about sizes, but I let the mechanic at the shop convince me it would be fine.
for safety i'd add reflective decals/gear and lighting to this list. where i live loads of people ride at night/fog/heavy rain in darkness and most times you cannot see them until they're right up on your face. not all drivers are super careful or fond of cyclists, it turns out.
My bike has reflective paint for it 👍
Helpful
The best one Francis you mentioned last, bike community and enjoy other things. My advice, get a bike fit from a trusted, knowledgeable bike fitter, BEFORE you buy a bike 👍