Beginner’s Bike Usage Guide

Now let’s get straight to the point—what should a beginner do after getting a bike? For customers who get their bikes assembled at our shop, we always accompany them for a ride around Dongda first, teaching them some basic knowledge, what to understand, what to pay attention to, and so on. For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, we usually do the following: First, teach you how to use the gear shifting system properly; second, teach you how to use the brake system properly; third, inform you of common issues to watch out for in daily riding.

Let’s start with the first one—the usage and understanding of the gear shifting system.

For example, many people think that if they want to ride faster, they should use the largest chainring and the smallest cog at the back to achieve the highest gear ratio, which would make them very fast. Well, actually, whether you go fast or slow mostly depends on your pedaling cadence. Generally speaking, when riding in the city, setting the front derailleur to the middle chainring and the rear derailleur to5gear or6gear is sufficient. You might think, “Isn’t that slower?” Yes, but you can still ride fast that way. So why do I suggest this? In fact, we advocate scientific exercise. For urban riding speeds, using the smallest cog with the front3chainring results in a gear ratio that’s a bit too high. While you may achieve higher speed, safety must also be considered—and that makes it meaningless. But if you’re not riding fast and use such a high gear ratio, it will lead to quick fatigue, constant stopping and starting, and you’ll feel tired much faster. Therefore, correctly using the gear shifting system is extremely important for any rider. Only by using it properly can you truly enjoy the pleasure of cycling.

There are also some things to keep in mind when using the derailleur. When using the largest chainring, do not pair it with the largest cog at the back. Doing so puts the springs of both derailleurs under maximum tension, and the chain angle becomes quite steep. Using the drivetrain this way will cause the front and rear derailleurs to wear out faster, so it is strictly forbidden to use the largest chainring with the largest cog. Similarly, try not to use the smallest chainring with the smallest cog either, because the chain will be at its loosest in this combination, which could cause it to hit the frame during riding. The smallest chainring and smallest cog are generally only used when stationary. Typically, to avoid excessive chain angle, when using the largest chainring, the rear derailleur should be set to1, 2,3, or similar gears. When using the middle chainring, the rear derailleur can be set to2,3,4,5,6, or7. When using the small chainring, the rear derailleur can be set to5,6,7,8, or9. In most cases, this setup prevents the chain from rubbing against the front derailleur.

Using the derailleur correctly also helps protect and maintain the bike itself.


Second, the correct usage and understanding of the brake system.

For those new to mountain biking, it’s essential to understand how the front and rear brakes work in terms of braking effectiveness. When you’re riding fast on the road and suddenly need to stop—say, due to an obstacle up ahead—what should you do? If you only use the rear brake, the rear wheel may lock up, but the bike will continue sliding forward while also wearing down the tire. If you only use the front brake, the bike might stop, but the consequence is very dangerous—you could be thrown forward over the handlebars.*The correct method is to use both the front and rear brakes together—not squeezing them with full force, but applying appropriate pressure with your hands according to the situation. Why is this the right approach? Because the front brake provides about
% of the braking power, while the70rear brake accounts for only30%, the front brake is so powerful that not using it would be a waste, but be mindful of the braking threshold—otherwise, you could go flying. Proper use of the braking system is also a safeguard for your own safety.!


Third,Precautions

As a beginner who has just gotten your bike, first check whether all parts of the vehicle are properly installed, if anything is loose, and whether the seat height is appropriate. During your initial few rides, try to avoid intense cycling and refrain from performing jumps or street tricks. Using a new bicycle is like using a new car—it requires a break-in period. After riding a few times, make sure to true the wheels in time to prevent damage to the components. Also, regularly check the tire pressure.,Regular maintenance, repair, and cleaning,Before riding, check whether the quick-release levers are loose,Check whether the braking system is loose!

Additionally, a helmet and gloves are two essential companions that go hand-in-hand with cycling. The philosophy of Mountain Biking Passion is: “The bike doesn’t have to be top-tier, but the helmet should be as good as possible—don’t skimp on these.” With their protection, you can truly enjoy the pleasure of riding.