# Tips and tricks for noobs
**URL:** https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [May 10, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452 "2010-05-10T20:13:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@alexb618](https://fixed.org.au/u/alexb618)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/21 "2010-05-11T01:37:46Z")
less talking about building your bike(s) and more riding your bike(s)
---
### Author:  [@Dave\_S](https://fixed.org.au/u/Dave_S)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/22 "2010-05-11T02:03:23Z")
Given that the help forum is almost exclusively about mechanics, I’d expect less talk about riding your bike(s) and more talk about building your bike(s).
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### Author:  [@snowflake](https://fixed.org.au/u/snowflake)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/23 "2010-05-11T02:23:20Z")
Tips and tricks for noobs?
This thread was a good idea. It’s a shame that it’s mostly useless crap.
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### Author:  [@Paddy](https://fixed.org.au/u/Paddy)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/24 "2010-05-11T02:34:18Z")
> [@snowflake](#):
>
> Tips and tricks for noobs?
>
> This thread was a good idea. It’s a shame that it’s mostly useless crap.
Helped me.
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### Author:  [@fullface](https://fixed.org.au/u/fullface)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/25 "2010-05-12T20:24:28Z")
sheldon brown
search function
measure it
function over form
metaadvise Build one , ride it and learn what you want
fullface
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/26 "2010-05-12T20:38:43Z")
Get a piece of crap bike from the side of the road/tip and pull it apart and rebuild before doing so to a good bike that you actually want to ride. That way you learn which threads aren’t normal (left pedal, drive side bb), how to service an old hub without losing pieces and general ‘as-you-go lessons’. Seeing how a bike can deteriorate also helps you appreciate the importance of regular maintenance.
Lastly, lube your chain people.
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### Author:  [@Dilusi](https://fixed.org.au/u/Dilusi)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2010, 4:10am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/27 "2010-05-14T04:10:27Z")
According to Sheldon Brown, for each cog (sprocket) tooth difference, the axle position in the fork end will change by 1/8" (3 mm.) Use this to work out whether you can go up or down a tooth without having to adjust your chain length.
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### Author:  [@mr\_dylan](https://fixed.org.au/u/mr_dylan)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/28 "2010-05-14T04:52:59Z")
Don’t worry about what other people think about your bike. If they’re judging you, they’ve got an inferiority complex of their own. If you like it, then you like it.
This is simplified as AYHSMB
or
> The haters shall suck thy balls.
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### Author:  [@paceline.cycle](https://fixed.org.au/u/paceline.cycle)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/29 "2010-05-23T02:38:00Z")
presta valves (the long thin ones) have a nipple on top you have to un screw before tryin to pump up the tyre.
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### Author:  [@brendan](https://fixed.org.au/u/brendan)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/30 "2010-05-23T03:01:00Z")
> [@paceline.cycle](#):
>
> presta valves (the long thin ones) have a nipple on top you have to un screw before tryin to pump up the tyre.
funnily enough, i saw someone struggling with this the other day.
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### Author:  [@jaseyjase](https://fixed.org.au/u/jaseyjase)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/31 "2010-05-23T03:35:49Z")
dont buy bar tape, just cut up some old inner tubes and wrap your bars with that.
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### Author:  [@LAM](https://fixed.org.au/u/LAM)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/32 "2010-05-23T03:47:46Z")
no-one rides kashimax saddles on the street for a reason.
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### Author:  [@Cafe\_de\_Keirin](https://fixed.org.au/u/Cafe_de_Keirin)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/33 "2010-05-23T04:35:32Z")
Use the semi permeable dressings from the chemist on road rash. The wet healing can mean less scarring.
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### Author:  [@fullface](https://fixed.org.au/u/fullface)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/34 "2010-05-24T21:14:44Z")
Don’t mixup the vaseline and the vicks
( my mum told me that and I have never worked out why)
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### Author:  [@Cafe\_de\_Keirin](https://fixed.org.au/u/Cafe_de_Keirin)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/35 "2010-05-24T21:49:44Z")
> [@fullface](#):
>
> Don’t mixup the vaseline and the vicks
>
> ( my mum told me that and I have never worked out why)
Think about what you were doing with the vas… you’ll work it out.
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### Author:  [@nikcee](https://fixed.org.au/u/nikcee)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/36 "2010-05-24T23:17:23Z")
> [@fullface](#):
>
> Don’t mixup the vaseline and the vicks
>
> ( my mum told me that and I have never worked out why)
rule #1 of embrocation - chamois before embro.
do it the wrong way and you’ll be in for a world of (crotch) pain…
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### Author:  [@erle](https://fixed.org.au/u/erle)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/37 "2010-05-24T23:36:10Z")
The best advice I can give, if you ever come across what appears to be a bargain, contact me with the sellers details and I’ll find out!
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### Author:  [@coffee](https://fixed.org.au/u/coffee)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/38 "2010-05-25T00:17:59Z")
Read first, ask later.
Dont answer questions if you dont know the answer.
Whoever said there is no such thing as a stupid question, is stupid.
Less talking, more riding.
Otherwise, welcome to the forum.
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### Author:  [@Cafe\_de\_Keirin](https://fixed.org.au/u/Cafe_de_Keirin)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/39 "2010-05-25T00:34:03Z")
Forgot the important ones Coffee…
Don’t ruin a good coffee with milk or sugar.
Drink espresso.
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### Author:  [@coffee](https://fixed.org.au/u/coffee)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/tips-and-tricks-for-noobs/45452/40 "2010-05-25T00:37:00Z")
Ah yes, how could i forget… But dont get me started on the do’s and dont’s of coffee!
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