5 Things Cyclists Are Told That Are Totally Wrong

How often have you heard this unhelpful cycling advice?


Christina Bonnington |

There are a lot of people out there who love to offer advice – and cyclists are no different. When confronted with a newbie in our midst, many of us kick into mentor mode and start spewing out unsolicited “wisdom” like a broken fire hydrant. Unfortunately, much of the advice floating around isn’t always helpful – and isn’t even always correct.

Take, for example, road tyre width. For years, it was thought that narrower is faster. It made sense: The less contact you have with the ground, the lower your rolling resistance, right? Except that real world tests tend to show that slightly wider tyres (around 25mm) actually tend to be faster than their 22 or 23mm cousins. Still, I get advice from some seasoned cyclists that I should be running narrower tyres maxed out at 8.5 bar.

Looking back to when we ourselves were fledgling cyclists (and more recently, too), we’ve rounded up some of the least helpful tips for the road and the trail, along with why that advice isn’t so great.

“Put Your Weight Back When Descending”

Mountain bike technology and technique has evolved a lot since it first started gaining traction in the 80s and 90s. Back then, due to limitations on frame geometries, you did need to put your weight back (i.e. thrust your hips behind your saddle), especially on steep descents, in order to keep your center of gravity low. With modern full suspension steeds, it’s actually better to stand up, center yourself over the bike, hinge at the hips, and use your glutes for support. You should feel stable and balanced. Case in point: Watch the stylings of downhill pros such as Rachel Atherton.

RELATED: How To Descend Like Greg Minnaar

“You Need to Lose Weight to Climb Faster”

One look at a Tour de France cyclist versus your average weekend warrior and you can’t help but notice: Gosh darn, if those pros aren’t skinny. Read almost any article on how to climb faster, and the most common piece of advice is to shed any unnecessary pounds to increase your power-to-weight ratio. However, that wisdom isn’t helpful, or even safe, for all of us. “A lot of people told me I would do a lot better if I lost weight,” says Giana Roberge, cycling coach and former professional cyclist with the Timex Women’s Team. “The times I got skinny, I got very sick—like mono, couldn’t-race-sick. Your heart and determination can overcome five ‘extra’ kilograms (whoever’s ideal that is).” If you do want to lose weight, be sure to consult your physician first to formulate a diet and training plan that works for you.

RELATED: Your Comprehensive Guide to Faster Climbing

“Riding Two by Two Is Illegal”

This is one you may not hear from fellow cyclists, but rather from helpful drivers “sharing” the road with their two-wheeled compatriots. It’s a good idea to research what the law says where you live, or in places you’ll be traveling. In Hawaii, for example, you should ride single file unless a bike lane is wide enough to accommodate double file riding. In general though, it’s OK to ride two by two as long as the shoulder on the road is big enough.

“You Need to Pump Your Tyres All the Way Up”

In our tips for cycling beginners, Judd Van Sickle, biomechanical engineer with the Sports Performance Program at UC Davis Sports Medicine, said that most people overinflate their tyres on a road bike. “Especially with smaller riders, you’ll get a 50kg female with 8.5 bar on the tyre,” Van Sickle said. “They should be at like 5 bar.” Not overinflating the tyres makes the bike handle more consistently, makes it much more comfortable to ride, takes out the high-level vibrations, and helps the bike brake in corners better.

RELATED: Tyre Pressure 101

“You Need the Right Gear to Win a Race”

“At my first race I was in running shoes, a huge hooded sweatshirt, and umbros—on a Serotta I’d borrowed from somebody,” Roberge recalls. Someone told her, “You can’t race that way!” She didn’t just race that way: She won that way (and that race was the year’s New York mountain bike state championship race!). People will try to tell you that you need to upgrade your wheels, buy a more aerodynamic bike, or any number of other things before you toe the line at your first race. The truth of the matter is that all you need to do is show up, let your legs prove your worth, and you’ll learn (and buy) the rest on the way, as needed.

READ MORE ON: bike advice Skills

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