’re on your bike when you notice the flat, shift as you slow down. Loosen the brakes and nut, pull down on the derailleur (as pictured) and slide the wheel out. Lie your bike, chain-side up, on its side.2 Take the tyre off the wheelIf you use tyre levers, jam

-bars.Triathletes took note of Lemond's extraordinary average speed of 54.5kph on that final stage and were soon running, cycling and swimming to their local bike shop to buy a pair of aero-bars. The use of these new bars became so common in triathlon that they even

Packing your bike so you can take it abroad and then unpacking it at the other end are two of the biggest headaches in triathlon. The last thing you'll feel like doing after a long journey is rebuilding your bike. But all the work you've put

combination of hand signals and voice to indicate hazards."Going the distanceIf you're planning a long run or bike ride, David Tilbury-Davis, a Level III triathlon coach, recommends that you carry a mobile phone in a waterpoof bag - it won't be much use

To ride in a time trial you need a roadworthy bike. Helmets are recommended and some races insist on them. Prepare to be impressed by lots of professional-looking cyclists, but don't be overawed - they were beginners once.Develop a smooth, circular

), and wipe clean with a dry rag. Apply lube when you've finished. Adjust your brakesIf your brake lever reaches the handlebar before it stops your bike, either your pads are worn or your cables are stretched. Worn pads should be replaced - but that's another

triathletes, but before you join the bunch, here are a few skills to master. Pedal smoothlyFirst things first: you need to learn to ride steady on your own. Many beginners use too low a cadence, so the bike surges forward with every pedal stroke - this can

're hopping on your bike to prepare for a triathlon or just to diversify your training, you can expect to become a better runner as a result.To reap all the benefits of cycling, however, you first need a bike. Will that old clunky machine in the back

pocket. On your lower body, windproof crotch and knee panels are essential when the  weather is truly foul.MIND YOUR MACHINEMix grit with a little water and you get a crunchy solution that chews through bike parts faster than a seven-year-old eating a

If you're an experienced cyclist, the bike section of a triathlon holds no fears. But if you haven't cycled since you were a child, a bike can seem a complicated and dangerous machine. Most triathletes start off in the sport with one weakness