Thanks.
Nice and simple!
4) Tyre pressure doesn't really have as much effect as people think - as long as it's high enough to be safe. The higher the tyre pressure, the less energy lost to deformation when you hit a bump, but the more energy lost in vibration. They sort of cancel out - in fact you can lose fewer watts using supple tyres (which lose less energy deforming) at just below the threshold the bike starts to vibrate. The problem is that the brain thinks vibration is fast.Slothman wrote: ↑22 Jul 2021, 11:50am Thanks again for the replies.
I suspect my issues stem from more than one place.
I reckon you are all correct in that...
1/ My seat may have been too low (I'll try it out this weekend although will have lost some fitness as I've been away and not ridden for nearly three weeks!)
2/ I am trying too hard and not using my gears correctly.
3/ I am not yet used to cycling and need to condition my legs.
4/ My tyre pressure may be too low and thus losing power (soon to be remedied when I get a decent pump)
5/ My front fork has suspension that can't be locked out completely so I'm losing power there also, despite setting it as firm as it will go.
6/ I need a lighter more road specific bike (working on that)
7/ I am built more like a running sprinter not for distance and carry too much weight up the hills (a lighter bike should help with that as will persisting in my rides, easing off the beer and curry and losing some weight)
What's your normal cadence and how much pressure do you put on the pedals when on the flat ??PositivelyMental wrote: ↑31 Jul 2021, 10:58pm This is very interesting to me, it’s the first time I e heard anyone else complain of quad pain. I have been experiencing this for about 3 years now, starts as soon as I hit a slope, remains throughout my ride and on occasion I’ve had to get picked up.
As in previous replies, your position on the bike is crucial. Even if it otherwise seems correct, it may be worth checking, or even having a professional fitting.PositivelyMental wrote: ↑31 Jul 2021, 10:58pm This is very interesting to me, it’s the first time I e heard anyone else complain of quad pain. I have been experiencing this for about 3 years now, starts as soon as I hit a slope, remains throughout my ride and on occasion I’ve had to get picked up. It’s ruined my enjoyment of cycling as I ride in the Peak District so a flat ride is impossible. Everyone is surprised it’s my quads and not my glutes, I’ve tried all sorts of stretching etc., it stops as soon as I’m back on the flat I would pay for a specialist but who deals with quads?!! I e seen some highly recommended physios who have also been unable to explain this, except to suggest I build my glutes, and I possibly use my quads mire as apparently I have hyper flexibility in my knees
Try pushing the saddle back. 10mm should be enough to notice a difference.PositivelyMental wrote: ↑31 Jul 2021, 10:58pm This is very interesting to me, it’s the first time I e heard anyone else complain of quad pain. I have been experiencing this for about 3 years now, starts as soon as I hit a slope, remains throughout my ride and on occasion I’ve had to get picked up. It’s ruined my enjoyment of cycling as I ride in the Peak District so a flat ride is impossible. Everyone is surprised it’s my quads and not my glutes, I’ve tried all sorts of stretching etc., it stops as soon as I’m back on the flat I would pay for a specialist but who deals with quads?!! I e seen some highly recommended physios who have also been unable to explain this, except to suggest I build my glutes, and I possibly use my quads mire as apparently I have hyper flexibility in my knees
You may be putting too much weight on your arms, which is likely to be a result of the saddle being too far forward. I refer you again to 531colin's bike set-up guide. Have you had a go with that?Slothman wrote: ↑8 Aug 2021, 11:34am Ok, increased my seat height, inflated my tyres to the correct, max pressure (80psi).
I went for a 12 mile ride yesterday, on very undulating country lanes and, by using my gears better and not trying to be a hero, I got around and up the hills, without needing to stop or even stand on the pedals and pump. I did stop once to get a drink (hard to do when riding) but not because I had to.
So far so good but I did get very tight upper traps at the back of my neck toward the end of the ride.
I didn’t get the same quad fatigue though, but am now wondering if the increased seat height has solved one issue but caused another?
Hi, thanks, yes I have looked before but can't seem to download it now? Keep getting error message saying 'failed to download PDF'?Vorpal wrote: ↑9 Aug 2021, 10:59amYou may be putting too much weight on your arms, which is likely to be a result of the saddle being too far forward. I refer you again to 531colin's bike set-up guide. Have you had a go with that?Slothman wrote: ↑8 Aug 2021, 11:34am Ok, increased my seat height, inflated my tyres to the correct, max pressure (80psi).
I went for a 12 mile ride yesterday, on very undulating country lanes and, by using my gears better and not trying to be a hero, I got around and up the hills, without needing to stop or even stand on the pedals and pump. I did stop once to get a drink (hard to do when riding) but not because I had to.
So far so good but I did get very tight upper traps at the back of my neck toward the end of the ride.
I didn’t get the same quad fatigue though, but am now wondering if the increased seat height has solved one issue but caused another?