5 mistakes that will ruin your riding experience

Everyone has made mistakes during their cycling journey. Thanks to this article, you can stop making at least 5.

Cycling isn't a sport with rigid rules for technique and gear. Cyclists ride various bikes and have diverse riding styles. This very diversity is what makes our sport so beautiful.

However, everyone has made mistakes in the past and learned from them. In this article, we'll look at 5 common mistakes you can fix either for free or with a minimal budget. From my experience, I often observe these mistakes, especially among beginners.

1. Tires too hard/soft – Keep your wheels from bouncing

Too high or too low pressure can lead to a loss of grip (your wheel won't hold traction on the terrain) or even damage your rim.

Too high pressure means your wheel will bounce off bumps (like a ball). With an underinflated tire, the wheel will have incorrect characteristics, the tire will deform too much, which can also lead to rim damage.


There's no single "correct pressure" that applies universally. You need to determine it by considering several factors: riding style, tire width, rim width, rider weight, tire casing thickness, use of inserts...

I also recommend this calculator for determining the correct pressure.

2. Handlebars too wide/narrow – For better cornering

Handlebars that are too wide or too narrow can negatively impact your riding technique and worsen your cornering.

Manufacturers often equip bikes with unnecessarily wide handlebars. Even on smaller-sized bikes. It's not because they had leftover stock they wanted to get rid of. It's a component you need to adjust to fit you personally. 800 mm wide handlebars don't suit most average cyclists, so you need to adjust them to your proportions.

You'll need to take a cutter or saw and trim a bit off each end. The shorter the rider – the shorter their arms – the narrower the handlebars they should use. Of course, the opposite is also true.

How much is too little? Since handlebar width affects bike control, it's not advisable to shorten them too much. This can have a negative effect, and steering might not be as precise. I personally am 175 cm tall and use 760 mm handlebars. I've also used 800 mm, 780 mm, and 740 mm. This setup suits my riding style, and I'm happy with it.


You need to try different options and experiment. The correct handlebar width can significantly impact your ride. The time spent choosing and trimming might be lengthy, but you'll ultimately appreciate the result. When it comes to cutting handlebars, the well-known rule applies: measure twice, cut once. Don't forget that special tools are used for carbon.

3. Low-quality pedals – Ditch the straight-from-the-factory ones

Incorrect pedals can lead to your feet bouncing off them, and in a worse scenario, even a fall.

Pedals are one of the two contact points between the rider and the bike during a descent. If your feet aren't staying on the pedals, you have a problem. Instead of looking for a new fork or a full-suspension bike, focus on your pedals.

Do you have quality pedals? Do your shoes grip them well? Do your pedals even have pins? Are the pedals large enough?


Straight from the factory, bikes often come with so-called "plastic pedals" – pedals that don't even have pins. Consequently, you can't expect your feet to stay on the pedals when riding off-road. In an ideal world, you should combine the right pedals with appropriate cycling shoes designed for them.

4. Brakes in horror condition – Stop braking with two fingers

Brakes in poor condition can lead not only to discomfort during your ride but also to a fall, and perhaps even worse...

I won't hold back on criticism here. If you don't believe me about the catastrophic state some cyclists' brakes can be in, just ask your local mechanic. It's even worse when such brakes are supposed to determine whether you stop or not. Essentially, you're gambling with your health.

Worn-out brake pads, scuffed rotors, and aerated brakes are issues you can skillfully resolve for just a few tens of euros. Always make sure your brakes are in good condition before riding. Check the thickness of your pads and rotors, and try braking a few times on flat ground. If the lever pulls all the way to the grip, your brakes need bleeding.


Adjusting brake levers is a topic in itself. The ideal way is to brake with one finger. You'll have a stronger grip than if you were braking with two fingers.

5. Worn-out tires – For a reliable bike

Worn-out tires mean a lack of grip, and in a worse scenario, can again lead to a fall.

Tires need to be changed regularly. As soon as the tire tread starts to wear down and disappear, you should buy a replacement tire and change it when the right moment comes.

Few people can afford to change tires after just a few rides like in an F1 pit stop. However, once your tire, which once had a tread and relatively high knobs, becomes completely smooth, it won't grip, and you won't be able to rely on it.

Therefore, you should change your tires in time to avoid a situation you'll later regret. Similarly, watch out for hardened rubber on extremely old tires.

Don't learn from your own mistakes (The Hard Way)

Everyone makes and has made mistakes. The biggest mistake when cycling is not wearing a helmet. Such a mistake can cost you your life.