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June 11, 2023

Learn to Ride Like a Pro: Brake Shifter Levers, Hoods, and Handlebars Explained

# The Noob's Guide to Cycling: Brake Shifter Levers, Hoods, and Handlebars - Introduction - What is cycling and why is it a great activity for beginners - What are the basic components of a bike and how do they work - What are the main types of bikes and how to choose one - Brake Shifter Levers - What are brake shifter levers and what do they do - How to use brake shifter levers to change gears and brake - How to adjust brake shifter levers for comfort and safety - Hoods - What are hoods and what do they do - How to use hoods to improve your riding position and efficiency - How to maintain and replace hoods when needed - Handlebars - What are handlebars and what do they do - How to choose the right handlebar size and shape for your bike and riding style - How to grip the handlebars in different situations and terrains - Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the article - Provide some tips and resources for further learning and improvement - Encourage the reader to try cycling and have fun Here is the article I wrote based on the outline: # The Noob's Guide to Cycling: Brake Shifter Levers, Hoods, and Handlebars Cycling is one of the most popular and accessible sports in the world. Whether you want to commute, exercise, explore, or just have fun, cycling can offer you many benefits. It can improve your health, fitness, mood, environment, and wallet. It can also challenge you, teach you new skills, and connect you with other people. But before you hop on your bike and hit the road, you need to know some basics about cycling. You need to understand how your bike works, how to use it properly, and how to take care of it. You also need to choose the right bike for your needs and preferences. In this article, we will focus on three important parts of your bike: brake shifter levers, hoods, and handlebars. These are the parts that you interact with most when you ride your bike. They control your speed, direction, and comfort. They also affect your safety, performance, and enjoyment. So let's get started with our noob's guide to cycling! ## Brake Shifter Levers Brake shifter levers are the devices that allow you to change gears and brake on your bike. They are usually located on both sides of your handlebars, near your hands. They come in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of bike and drivetrain you have. The most common types of brake shifter levers are: - Integrated brake/shift levers: These are found on most road bikes and some hybrid bikes. They combine the brake lever and the shift lever into one unit. To change gears, you push or pull the lever sideways. To brake, you squeeze the lever towards the handlebar. - Separate brake/shift levers: These are found on some mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. They have a separate brake lever and shift lever on each side of the handlebar. To change gears, you use your thumb or index finger to press a button or move a lever up or down. To brake, you squeeze the brake lever towards the handlebar. - Twist shifters: These are found on some mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. They have a rotating grip on each side of the handlebar that controls the gears. To change gears, you twist the grip forward or backward. To brake, you squeeze the brake lever towards the handlebar. To use brake shifter levers effectively, you need to know how many gears your bike has and how they work. You also need to practice shifting smoothly and braking gradually. Here are some tips for using brake shifter levers: - Know your gears: Your bike has two sets of gears: one in the front (called chainrings) and one in the back (called cogs or sprockets). The combination of these gears determines how easy or hard it is to pedal your bike. The higher the gear (bigger chainring/smaller cog), the harder it is to pedal but the faster you go. The lower the gear (smaller chainring/bigger cog), the easier it is to pedal but the slower you go. - Shift before you need to: The best time to shift gears is before you encounter a change in terrain, such as a hill, a corner, or a stop. This way, you can maintain your momentum and avoid putting too much stress on your chain and derailleur. To shift gears, you need to pedal lightly and smoothly while moving the lever. Don't shift gears when you are pedaling hard or coasting, as this can cause your chain to slip or jam. - Use both sets of gears: To get the most out of your bike, you need to use both the front and the back gears. The front gears have a bigger impact on your speed and effort, while the back gears have a finer adjustment. A good rule of thumb is to use the front gears for big changes in terrain and the back gears for small changes in terrain. For example, if you are climbing a steep hill, you might want to shift to a lower front gear and a lower back gear. If you are cruising on a flat road, you might want to shift to a higher front gear and a higher back gear. - Adjust your levers: To make sure your brake shifter levers are comfortable and easy to reach, you can adjust their position and angle on your handlebars. You can also adjust the tension and reach of your brake levers to suit your hand size and strength. To do this, you might need some tools and instructions from your bike manual or a bike shop. ## Hoods Hoods are the rubber covers that protect the brake shifter levers on road bikes. They also provide a comfortable and secure place to rest your hands when you ride. Hoods are important for improving your riding position and efficiency. They allow you to keep your elbows bent, your shoulders relaxed, and your chest open. They also enable you to access your brake shifter levers easily and quickly. To use hoods effectively, you need to know how to grip them properly and when to use them. Here are some tips for using hoods: - Grip them lightly: When you hold the hoods, you don't need to squeeze them hard or wrap your fingers around them tightly. You just need to rest your palms on top of them and curl your fingers lightly around the brake shifter levers. This way, you can reduce fatigue and tension in your hands, wrists, and arms. You can also react faster and smoother when you need to brake or shift. - Use them for most situations: The hoods are the most versatile and comfortable hand position for road biking. You can use them for most situations, such as riding on flat or rolling roads, climbing moderate hills, or sprinting short distances. The hoods give you good control, stability, and aerodynamics on your bike. - Maintain and replace them when needed: The hoods are exposed to a lot of wear and tear from sweat, dirt, sun, and rain. Over time, they can become loose, cracked, or torn. This can affect their comfort and performance. To keep them in good shape, you should clean them regularly with a damp cloth and some mild soap. You should also replace them when they show signs of damage or deterioration. You can buy new hoods from a bike shop or online and install them yourself or with some help. ## Handlebars Handlebars are the metal bars that connect to the stem of your bike and hold the brake shifter levers, grips, tape, lights, bells, computers, and other accessories. They are the main interface between you and your bike. Handlebars are important for determining your riding style, comfort, and performance. They affect how you steer, balance, brake, shift, and posture on your bike. They also influence how much air resistance you face when you ride. To choose the right handlebars for your bike and riding style, you need to consider their size and shape. Here are some tips for choosing handlebars: - Size: The size of your handlebars refers to their width (how far they extend from side to side) and their reach (how far they extend from front to back). The width of your handlebars should match the width of your shoulders or be slightly narrower. This way, you can align your arms with your body and reduce wind drag. The reach of your handlebars should match the length of your torso or be slightly shorter. This way, you can lean forward comfortably and efficiently without straining your back or neck. - Shape: The shape of your handlebars refers to their curvature (how much they bend up or down) and their drop (how much they lower from the stem). The curvature of your handlebars should allow you to grip them comfortably in different positions without hitting your wrists or knees. The drop of your handlebars should suit your riding style and preference. A shallow drop (less than 130mm) is more comfortable and suitable for beginners or casual riders. A deep drop (more positions and aerodynamics, good leverage and control, and a sporty and aggressive look. However, they can also cause hand, wrist, and shoulder fatigue and discomfort on long rides, and they can be less stable and maneuverable on rough or technical terrain. - Bullhorn bars: These are similar to drop bars but without the lower part. They are common on track bikes, fixed-gear bikes, and some road bikes. They offer a forward-leaning and aerodynamic riding position, good leverage and control for sprinting and climbing, and a minimalist and sleek look. However, they also limit your hand positions and comfort, and they can be less stable and maneuverable on rough or technical terrain. - Cruiser bars: These are curved handlebars that sweep back towards the rider. They are common on cruiser bikes, city bikes, and some hybrid bikes. They offer a very upright and relaxed riding position, good visibility and comfort, and a retro and stylish look. However, they also limit your hand positions and aerodynamics, and they can be less efficient and responsive on hilly or fast terrain. - Butterfly (touring) bars: These are handlebars that have multiple curves and bends to create different hand positions. They are common on touring bikes, adventure bikes, and some hybrid bikes. They offer a versatile and comfortable riding position, good control and stability for long-distance riding, and a lot of space for accessories. However, they can also be heavy and bulky, and they can be less aerodynamic and agile on fast or technical terrain. There are many other types of handlebars that you might encounter or want to try out, such as BMX bars, moustache bars, aero bars, ape hanger bars, pursuit bars, sunrise bars, terminal bars, moloko bars, etc. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your bike and riding style. ## Conclusion We hope this article has helped you understand the basics of cycling: brake shifter levers, hoods, and handlebars. These are the parts that you need to master to enjoy your bike ride to the fullest. Here are some key points to remember: - Brake shifter levers allow you to change gears and brake on your bike. You need to know how many gears your bike has and how to shift smoothly and brake gradually. - Hoods protect the brake shifter levers on road bikes. They also provide a comfortable and secure place to rest your hands when you ride. You need to grip them lightly and use them for most situations. - Handlebars connect to the stem of your bike and hold the brake shifter levers and other accessories. They affect your riding style, comfort, and performance. You need to choose the right handlebar size and shape for your bike and riding style. If you want to learn more about cycling or improve your skills, here are some tips and resources for further learning: - Check out our other articles on cycling topics such as clothing, maintenance, nutrition, safety, technique, etc. - Watch some videos or read some books on cycling tips for beginners or advanced riders. - Join a local cycling club or group or sign up for a cycling course or event. - Ride with more experienced cyclists or mentors who can give you feedback and advice. - Practice regularly and challenge yourself with different routes, terrains, distances, speeds, etc. Most importantly, have fun cycling! It's a great way to stay fit, explore new places, meet new people, and have a blast! ## FAQs Q: What is the best type of bike for beginners? A: There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on your personal preferences, budget, goals, and riding style. However, some general factors to consider when choosing a bike are: - The size and fit of the bike. You want a bike that matches your height and inseam and allows you to adjust the saddle height and reach to the handlebars comfortably. - The type and quality of the components. You want a bike that has reliable and durable parts such as the frame, wheels, tires, brakes, gears, etc. You also want a bike that suits your intended use and terrain, such as road, mountain, hybrid, gravel, etc. - The cost and value of the bike. You want a bike that fits your budget and offers good value for money. You don't need to spend a fortune on a bike, but you also don't want to buy a cheap bike that will break down or cause you problems. The best way to find the best bike for you is to do some research online or in magazines, visit some local bike shops or online retailers, test ride some bikes or rent them for a day or two, and ask for recommendations from other cyclists or experts. Q: How do I maintain my bike? A: Maintaining your bike is essential for keeping it in good condition and preventing any issues or accidents. Some basic maintenance tasks that you should do regularly are: - Clean your bike with a damp cloth and some mild soap or bike cleaner. Remove any dirt, dust, mud, grease, or debris from the frame, wheels, tires, chain, gears, brakes, etc. - Lubricate your chain and other moving parts with some bike oil or grease. This will reduce friction and wear and tear and improve your performance and efficiency. - Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the recommended level. This will prevent flats and punctures and improve your comfort and handling. - Check your brakes and gears and adjust them if needed. This will ensure your safety and control and prevent any damage or malfunction. - Check your bolts and screws and tighten them if needed. This will prevent any loose or rattling parts and keep your bike stable and secure. If you encounter any problems or issues with your bike that you can't fix yourself, take it to a professional bike mechanic or shop for repair or service. Q: How do I ride safely on the road? A: Riding safely on the road is important for avoiding any accidents or injuries and respecting other road users. Some basic safety tips that you should follow are: - Wear a helmet and other protective gear such as gloves, glasses, lights, reflectors, etc. - Follow the traffic rules and regulations such as stopping at red lights and signs, signaling your intentions, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles, etc. - Ride on the right side of the road (or left side in some countries) and in the same direction as traffic. Use designated bike lanes or paths if available. - Be visible and alert at all times. Wear bright or reflective clothing, use lights at night or in low visibility conditions, make eye contact with other road users, watch out for hazards or obstacles, etc. - Be courteous and respectful to other road users. Communicate with them using hand signals or verbal cues, give them enough space and time to pass or turn, avoid any conflicts or confrontations, etc. Q: How do I improve my cycling skills and fitness? A: Improving your cycling skills and fitness is a matter of practice, training, and motivation. Some effective ways to improve your cycling skills and fitness are: - Ride regularly and consistently. Aim for at least three times a week and vary your duration, intensity, and frequency. Start with short and easy rides and gradually increase your distance and speed as you get more comfortable and confident. - Ride with a purpose and a goal. Set yourself some specific and realistic goals such as completing a certain distance or time, reaching a certain speed or power, climbing a certain hill or gradient, etc. Track your progress and celebrate your achievements. - Ride with others. Join a local cycling club or group or find some cycling buddies online or offline. Riding with others can help you learn new skills and tips, challenge yourself and push your limits, have fun and socialize, and stay motivated and accountable. - Cross-train and rest. Incorporate some other activities into your routine such as strength training, stretching, yoga, swimming, running, etc. These can help you improve your overall fitness, prevent injuries, and recover faster. Also, make sure you get enough rest and sleep to allow your body and mind to heal and recharge. Q: How do I have fun cycling? A: Having fun cycling is the ultimate goal of any cyclist. Cycling is not only a sport or a hobby but also a passion and a lifestyle. There are many ways to have fun cycling, such as: - Explore new places and routes. Discover new scenery, landmarks, cultures, cuisines, etc. Use maps, apps, guides, or recommendations to find some interesting or hidden gems. - Try new types of cycling. Experiment with different types of bikes, terrains, disciplines, events, etc. You might find something that suits you better or challenges you more. - Express yourself and your personality. Customize your bike and gear with some stickers, decals, colors, accessories, etc. Show off your style and flair to others. - Share your experiences and stories. Take photos or videos of your rides and post them on social media or blogs. Join some online or offline communities or forums and chat with other cyclists. Learn from them and inspire them.