How can you ride a bicycle without getting tired?

Cycling will not be so tiring if you are able to eliminate the issues you faced. I share here some reasons why you will feel more tired than you should while cycling:

1) You are cycling on a bicycle with the wrong frame size for your height.
2) It could also be that the handlebar reach is either too near or too far for you.
3) Or you may have set your seatpost too low.
4) Your tyres are not fully inflated to run efficiently.
5) You are not using your gears right.
6) The gradient of the roads you chose to cycle on are too steep.
7) You are trying to catch up with fellow riders who have better stamina or who are more efficient cyclists.

If you are cycling on a bicycle with the wrong frame size and you do not intend to replace it, here are minor changes you can make to it that will ease the strains of cycling which will make you tired.
Most stems come in length of 32mm right up to 80mm. If the handlebar reach is too far for you, you can use a stem with shorter length as it will bring the handlebar closer to you.



If you would like to remove the strains on your shoulders and arms which can tire you out, you can consider installing an adjustable handlebar stem as it will also allow you to sit in a more upright position.

However, if you are cycling on an old bike that uses quill stem, there are extra long models in the market which will increase the height of the handlebar for easy reach so that you can sit in a more upright position.


Your seatpost height must be adjusted so that when you sit on the saddle, your knee is slightly bent while the ball of your foot is resting on the pedal at its lowest position.

Try to inflate your tyres to the maximum PSI shown on its sidewall for a smoother ride.



Make sure that you use tyres with the correct threads for the right terrain you are cycling on. For urban ride, slick tyres like the one shown in the above photo will be more efficient.

Knobby tyres that are usually installed on MTB will be more suitable for rougher terrain.



Learn how to change your gears efficiently so that you will not have to struggle uphill. Avoid cycling over bridges or through routes that are hilly which can tire you out faster than you should. Routes with lower gradients will also put less strains on your body.

If you plan to cycle in a group, check to see if fellow riders are cycling on MTB or roadbike or Hybrid or Fatbike or folding bikes. Try to match what they are cycling on as different types of bicycles have different wheel sizes and tyre threads for different terrains.

Frankly speaking, whatever exercise you do, unless you are doing it half halfheartedly, you should feel some form of fatigue and tiredness. You should feel tired as some exertions in strength is involved in moving your bicycle.

The weather can also wear you out if you are cycling under the hot sun or under a heavy shower without the proper attire and protection. The stress of keeping yourself safe on the road while cycling can also tire you out. If you don’t want to feel tired at all, stop your bicycle for a rest more often and avoid routes that will stress you.

What are the best tips to maintain a bike in the proper way?

When you buy an equipment, a manual will be provided with it. A good manual will provide instructions on how to install the equipment correctly. It will provide information on how to use it safely and maintain it so that it will run efficiently.

Even though not all brands/retailers for bicycles will provide such a manual, if you google “owner's manual for bicycle” you should not have any problem in finding one online. From it, you can even learn if you are getting the right frame size for your height.

Though you get your bicycle fully assembled from your bike shop, in the manual you will learn how it is assembled and the type of tools and the sizes you need to do the job. That way if any of the parts are loosen, you will know how to fix it back correctly and with the right tools.

You will learn the name of the parts on the bicycle which will enable you to tell the mechanic clearly what needs to be fixed if professional help is required. This image is from link to “Owner's Manual for Marin Mountain Bikes”.


It provides a schedule on what and when you should clean, service and lubricate on your bicycle and what you should not do. Eg, here is a tip on how to set your gears so that you will not wear out your chain earlier than it should.

I like the instruction manual provided by Green Line for its Single-speed and Multi speed Beach Cruisers, it provides very clear information with lots of images.



The “Owner's Manual Single Speed and Multi-Speed Bicycles” from Dynacraft Bikes that I found online is also very good.

If you take the time to read the manual, you should not have any problem maintaining your bicycle in a proper way.

Would you separate an attached padded liner from your biking shorts?

You are likely to damage or leave holes on the lycra/spandex material of your cyclist pants if you try to remove the pads sewn securely to it.

If you do not like to walk around with a pad in your pants, you can also consider getting padded boxer for cyclist which you can wear like an underwear with your regular pants. Your pants must be loose or stretchable enough for you to cycle comfortably.

There are cycling cargo shorts that are supplied with detachable padding.


This is suitable for cyclists who would like to remove the padding when they have reached their destination to run errands.

These detachable padded pants can be used with your regular pants if you can sew elastic loops on them. Just take a look at how these loops are sewn on the cyclist cargo shorts and you will get the idea how it should be done.

Do you think riding a bike should not be allowed where there is no bike lane?

Cycling started, from the beginning of invention, the world over, without bicycle lanes.

While there is concern that lack of lanes make cycling unsafe on roads, there are also issues with safety even when they are in place because there is no protection for cyclists if behaviour of car drivers and other road users do not change.

No Surprise: Study Finds Sharrows Don't Make Streets Safer

Based on this Infographic, posted on Forbes, it is obvious that there are less road fatalities reported for cyclists in a country when there are more people are involved in cycling.


So, the best way to initiate cycling in your own country is to start a movement, whereby, a group of cyclists make a commitment to make cycling safe with the support of their government so that cycling-specific infrastructure should be part of the development and proper guidelines for all road users are reinforced by the relevant government agencies.

If you would like to work on that, I have shared many useful links in the following write up on, "How can public transportation be integrated for urban cycling?”

Following are links to bike movements that you can emulate to increase participation:
About CicLAvia
Midnight Ridazz Bicycle Ride
List of rides from The Critical Mass - Cycling as a Political Statement

Install the training wheels correctly

Bicycle size 12” right up to 16” are installed with training wheels. They are meant for child age 3 to 7. The reason why most kids still need training wheels even after they have outgrown their bicycles is because the training wheels have been installed leveled with the rear wheel.

The training wheels should be installed with a clearance of less than half an inch from the ground. That way, the child will learn to move his weight from left to right and vice versa each time he feels like he is toppling over.

There are training wheels in the market for 20” bicycles and they are adjustable to fit 12″ to 16″ too. Make sure that you get one that comes with metal instead of PVC cap, as shown in this photo.



Any brand of bicycle with no gears can be fitted with training wheels. Just make sure that they are not installed leveled with the rear wheel.

What are cyclists’ concern about mountain biking?

Here are some of the concerns cyclists faced when they are out mountain biking:

1. When cycling in a group, do I have the stamina to catch up with fellow cyclists?
2. Is my MTB good enough compared with the ones ridden by the others?
3. Will I be left to ride alone if I have to stop to make repairs?
4. Do I have the right tools with me for repairs?
5. Am I dressed appropriately?
6. What kind of support will I receive if there is an accident? Are the rest of the team experienced cyclists?
7. Will it be awkward if I have to get off the bike to push it uphill?
8. What if I lost my way?
9. Is the trails we are cycling to safe? Will I get mugged?
10. Will I be back too late?
11. Will I be invited to join them on the next expedition?

Is that how you felt the first time you went out mountain biking?

Plan to buy an ebike? Here are some factors you should take note.

eBike actually encourages people who are overweight to consider cycling.

I read a report that most people who are overweight are not keen to cycle as the assertion can make them perspire heavily. Also, they fear the embarrassment of being watched if they have to get off a regular bicycle to push it uphill. You can ride uphill on an eBike more easily, provided the slope is not too steep and within the acceptable gradient limit specified for it.

Factors you have to note before getting an ebike from any shop:

1) Is the wattage and speed legally acceptable to be ridden in your own country? In Malaysia, we follow the UK rules so ebike must be pedal assisted, which means that it must have pedals installed that can be used to propel it.

2) Do you want it installed with lithium or lead acid battery which is heavier but cheaper?

3) Ebike comes in tyre size of 14” to 26”. What tyre size is best for your size?

4) Will you have difficulty getting batteries or replacement parts or services to maintain it?

5) What is the highest gradient of incline the ebike can ride up on?

6) Do you need it foldable for ease of transport when you are not riding it?

7) Do you need one with extra seat for pillion rider?

8) Do you need one with gears too?

9) Does it have proper locking system in place to prevent theft?

10) Is the lighting adequate enough for rides at night?

11) Does it have a horn to warn pedestrians and other road users of your approach?

12) Does it charge while you pedal? Some ebikes are supplied with self-charging system so that while cycling, you can recharge your battery. eBike with “recharge” mode will be more expensive.

Shop around and look at the specifications of the ebikes you are interested in. Here are some examples of what is available in Malaysia.

This unit is foldable with 16″ wheel size. If you plan to use public transport part of the way while cycling on your ebike, a foldable model will be a good option to consider. Note the weight of the ebike. Is it too heavy to consider trotting around?


This model with 24″ tyre size comes with a seat for passenger. As it also comes with a basket, it will be suitable for rides out to pick up some stuff or to carry stuff of a child that you plan to ferry around.


If you know what are available in your market, it will be easier for you to make a decision after considering all these factors.