In part one of this two-part blog, we went over some of the unfortunate myths that pervade the cycling world. These misconceptions exist on both sides of the spectrum, including casual riders all the way up to more advanced and professional riders.

At Madsen Cycles, we provide fun and unique family bicycle options perfect for a variety of needs. From our cargo kid bike to our bike trailer options and much more, we have the materials you need to get the entire family engaged in cycling. Let’s go over another set of unfortunate myths when it comes to the world of cycling.

Weight is All That Matters

Particularly among those who ride bikes professionally or in a racing setting, there’s a common idea that the only major factor you have to consider when buying a bike is the weight. This is obviously not true for casual riders who are factoring in much more than speed, but here’s the thing: Even for those who do count speed as their defining consideration, there’s more to it than weight.

That’s right, even if you want to move as fast as possible, you have other areas to consider. Think about the aerodynamic nature of the bike, for instance – as you pick up speed, this is a vital area for decreasing the effort you have to put in.

High Pressure = Moving Faster

Many simply assume that when inflating tires, they should be set to maximum pressure at all times. But this is actually not advisable – it will create a bumpier ride, for one, and also doesn’t help with tire and wheel performance. Rather, use a simple online tire inflation guide to find out the best inflation level for your weight and the kind of riding you do.

Narrow Tires Go Faster

Down similar lines, there’s a common myth that the narrower your tires, the faster the bike will go. Firstly, this isn’t true at all – wider tires go faster than narrower ones, as they have lower rolling resistance at the point where the rubber touches the ground. Secondly, narrower tires tend to wear down and require replacement faster.

Suffering is Required

Maybe the biggest single cycling myth? That getting true exercise benefits from riding a bike requires you to feel pain and undergo suffering. While it’s true that some people work very hard on the bike and may indeed get a great workout that includes some discomfort, this is absolutely not a hard requirement for both enjoying yourself and getting some health benefits from cycling.

For more on setting cycling myths straight, or to learn about any of our family bicycle options, speak to the pros at Madsen Cycles today.