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Basic Triathlon questions from those who don't know

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Helegant Mar 2019 5:45pm, 10 Mar 2019 6,193 posts	Quote Pin Helegant I've entered too and now think I need to dust off the bike that hasn't been ridden since the last event two years ago
LazyDaisy Mar 2019 5:48pm, 10 Mar 2019 25,971 posts	Quote Pin LazyDaisy Snap Helegant - I'm seriously thinking of using my hybrid for my tri (though I think OH would divorce me if I did )
g1ngerrevolution Mar 2019 8:51am, 11 Mar 2019 5,870 posts	Quote Pin g1ngerrevolution Nooooo Lammo! I was hoping for an Eton re-union at some point?!
GlennR Mar 2019 10:35am, 11 Mar 2019 41,310 posts	Quote Pin GlennR I should be doing it this year Dougal.
totalbeginner Mar 2019 6:11pm, 11 Mar 2019 429 posts	Quote Pin totalbeginner Well done Gobi! I've yet to enter an event this year but will do. I am aiming to do one sprint and maybe a standard
LazyDaisy Mar 2019 4:23pm, 15 Mar 2019 26,040 posts	Quote Pin LazyDaisy We're at the seaside. The cycle shop round the corner, who organise rides on a Saturday morning that OH sometimes goes out with, and who, he tells me, are very friendly, nice guys, are doing a free workshop tomorrow afternoon on how to deal with basic mechanical issues you might encounter on a ride. As I'm not even sure I could get my chain back on unaided, let alone fix a puncture I'm going to go along. I feel a bit anxious but hopefully there will be other complete novices there too. (OH did show me once, but, well, you know what they say about teaching your spouse to drive? That. )
LindsD Mar 2019 6:31pm, 15 Mar 2019 26,808 posts	Quote Pin LindsD That sounds fab, LD. Do report back.
LazyDaisy Mar 2019 5:44pm, 16 Mar 2019 26,054 posts	Quote Pin LazyDaisy I was the only one! Which was good, because the chap was able to be (needed to be) very patient with me. We took the back wheel off my bike, and took it apart as if I had a puncture and needed to put in a new inner tube. I'll be honest - I doubt very much that I'd be able to do this at the side of the road. My problem was getting the tyre back on - that last bit when the tyre is pretty taut, and all the little tips he suggested didn't really help. I have small hands and they aren't particularly strong, it seems. Anyway, I know the theory now, and I bought myself a kit of useful bits to take out on my longer rides. We also covered how to put the chain back on and something which is way beyond my understanding, how to deal with a broken gear cable (I had no idea a breakage was even possible!) I think he realised that I was such a complete novice and a bit of a numpty that he didn't push that bit too much! Two other good things: picking up a leaflet from a woman who does personalised guided bike rides where you set the parameters and she comes out with you on a route she's devised to meet those requirements, and chatting to him about routes suitable for my ability (and avoiding the steepest hills locally) but which would give me a good ride out for a morning. All in all, a worthwhile hour, and all for free
fraggle Mar 2019 6:56pm, 16 Mar 2019 1,871 posts	Quote Pin fraggle LD - I can heartily recommend the Crank Brothers “Speedier lever” which is telescopic and makes getting the tyre on/off much easier if you (like me) have small hands
Angus Clydesdale Mar 2019 7:02pm, 16 Mar 2019 14,894 posts	Quote Pin Angus Clydesdale Topeak Shuttle is also a good strong longer lever. I bought one each for my kids.