I bought a new bike last year but I'm having problems with it or my cycling technique is pants. Someone suggested going to a cycling shop that will set the bike up properly for you, tell you what you're doing wrong etc etc but it does cost £150 and takes about 3hrs. Has anyone else had this done and is it worth it?
Sarah
Bike fitting
It might be worth it but few of us have that luxury. Tell us a bit more about the bike and the kind of cycling you do and the advice will come flooding in. In the meantime, have a look at how you will adjust saddle height and handlebar reach and height and do some measuring - it's really worth the effort.
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
I'm cycling for charity at the end of the year. My bike is a hybrid and I do mainly on road cycling. One of the problems I have is when I'm going up hill my bum slides off the back of the saddle, not good. I have just got some cycle shoes with cleats but not sure how to adjust them for me. My breathing is pants, get exhausted very quickly.
Lol, I tried one of those SIS energy drinks on Saturday, I had to go and have a sleep for 45 mins afterwards, I never do that. I think they put a sleeping tonic in the one I had.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Sarah
Lol, I tried one of those SIS energy drinks on Saturday, I had to go and have a sleep for 45 mins afterwards, I never do that. I think they put a sleeping tonic in the one I had.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Sarah
You may need to adjust your saddle - Sheldon Brown created a site which is chock full of useful and humorous cycling information -here is a link to his section on saddles. It is well worth looking round the whole site for guidance on your cycling.
I find my cleats work best when placed roughly under the ball of my feet. I have seen recommendations to have them a little further back on the sole, but never further forward. I get the angle by sitting on a table and letting my feet dangle - I set the cleats pointing forwards in a position which allows my shoes and feet to take my natural slight 'out at the front' angle.
To get fitter for your charity cycling, I would suggest a plan to build your fitness up by tackling gradually longer and/or more hilly routes. Regular, and frequent, food and drink in small quantities is needed to fuel you as you cycle. Energy foods and drinks can help, but old fashioned sandwiches, cake, fruit and water work well.
I find my cleats work best when placed roughly under the ball of my feet. I have seen recommendations to have them a little further back on the sole, but never further forward. I get the angle by sitting on a table and letting my feet dangle - I set the cleats pointing forwards in a position which allows my shoes and feet to take my natural slight 'out at the front' angle.
To get fitter for your charity cycling, I would suggest a plan to build your fitness up by tackling gradually longer and/or more hilly routes. Regular, and frequent, food and drink in small quantities is needed to fuel you as you cycle. Energy foods and drinks can help, but old fashioned sandwiches, cake, fruit and water work well.
Bike fitting
I have put 2 web sites below for you to look at, these might help to give you ideas to set up your bike. I do not know if they are both perfect but should give you somewhere to start.
http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx
http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/womens-fit.html
Plus CJ has a section on sizeing which is well worth reading
http://whttp://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?
Best of luck with your bike.
http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx
http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/womens-fit.html
Plus CJ has a section on sizeing which is well worth reading
http://whttp://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?
Best of luck with your bike.
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reohn2
Sarah
Do you know any experienced sympathetic cyclists?
Could you go back to the shop where you bought the bike from and ask their advice on your riding position?
If none of the above applies set the bike up as follows.
With the bike near a wall (so you can sit on it and steady youself)sit on the bike,with a pedal(either)at the bottom and the pedal arms (cranks)in line with the seat tube,wearing the shoes you cycle in put your heel on the pedal, your leg should be straight when sat comfortably on the saddle,if the leg is bent you need to lift the saddle higher,if the heel doesn't reach comfortably then lower the saddle.
Next you'll need a length of string with a weight tied to the end to use as a plumbline(not too heavy,a small nut or even a teaspoon will do)sit on the bike again in the same position but this time with the cranks horizontal (one pedal forward on aft),sat on the bike,feet on the pedals hang the string from
the front of your knee, it should pass through the axle of the pedal,if behind the saddle needs moving forward if in front the saddle needs moving back.
Now with that done the saddle needs tilting so it is approximately level.
Take time over this and don't be afraid of altering it slightly to reach optimum comfort, milimetres can make a difference.
Next,the handlebars may need lifting or lowering rotating to get them where you feel comfortable and similarly so the brake levers.
However if you feel the handlebars are to far away from you,you will need to change the handlebar stem(the bit that holds the handlebars to the bike frame) for a shorter one,likewise a longer one if too near.A starting point for this measurement is with the elbow bent and the back of the elbow held against the nose of the saddle and finger tips extended the tips of the fingers should just reach the the handlebars with the steering straight.
All these measurements are approximate, you may find slight adjustments may be needed to suit yourself but take time and a few rides to settle for the correct riding position.
Getting out of breath is normal when new to cycling,use the gears to find a comfortable rythmn when going up hills.
Forget the SIS energy drinks,drink plenty of water if you sweat (oops sorry your a woman, so you perspire)a lot take frequent breaks during your rides,its meant to be an enjoyable experience not pergatory(that comes later :0) ).
Do you know any experienced sympathetic cyclists?
Could you go back to the shop where you bought the bike from and ask their advice on your riding position?
If none of the above applies set the bike up as follows.
With the bike near a wall (so you can sit on it and steady youself)sit on the bike,with a pedal(either)at the bottom and the pedal arms (cranks)in line with the seat tube,wearing the shoes you cycle in put your heel on the pedal, your leg should be straight when sat comfortably on the saddle,if the leg is bent you need to lift the saddle higher,if the heel doesn't reach comfortably then lower the saddle.
Next you'll need a length of string with a weight tied to the end to use as a plumbline(not too heavy,a small nut or even a teaspoon will do)sit on the bike again in the same position but this time with the cranks horizontal (one pedal forward on aft),sat on the bike,feet on the pedals hang the string from
the front of your knee, it should pass through the axle of the pedal,if behind the saddle needs moving forward if in front the saddle needs moving back.
Now with that done the saddle needs tilting so it is approximately level.
Take time over this and don't be afraid of altering it slightly to reach optimum comfort, milimetres can make a difference.
Next,the handlebars may need lifting or lowering rotating to get them where you feel comfortable and similarly so the brake levers.
However if you feel the handlebars are to far away from you,you will need to change the handlebar stem(the bit that holds the handlebars to the bike frame) for a shorter one,likewise a longer one if too near.A starting point for this measurement is with the elbow bent and the back of the elbow held against the nose of the saddle and finger tips extended the tips of the fingers should just reach the the handlebars with the steering straight.
All these measurements are approximate, you may find slight adjustments may be needed to suit yourself but take time and a few rides to settle for the correct riding position.
Getting out of breath is normal when new to cycling,use the gears to find a comfortable rythmn when going up hills.
Forget the SIS energy drinks,drink plenty of water if you sweat (oops sorry your a woman, so you perspire)a lot take frequent breaks during your rides,its meant to be an enjoyable experience not pergatory(that comes later :0) ).
I tried doing the things you suggested and was unsuccessful, so went to the specialist shop this morning. Spent nearly 2 hours going over everything only to be told they couldn't do anything as the bike is more of a city hybrid and not good for long distances. They tried there best, very nice people, Rock n Road in Southampton and because they couldn't help they didn't charge me anything. I now have a bike which will apparently go on hurting my knees as my toes are too far forward, great!
It just goes to show, you need to be properly measured for bikes. Some cycle shops just want to sell you a bike and that's it.
Sarah
It just goes to show, you need to be properly measured for bikes. Some cycle shops just want to sell you a bike and that's it.
Sarah
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reohn2
Sarah
Sorry to hear about your experience, at least you know what you don't want.
Perhaps you could sell your ill fitting bike and get measured for a decent one at the shop you've been to.
Don't give up it'll be worth it in the end
PS I always tell my daughters that they'll have to kiss one or two frogs before a Prince comes along.
Sorry to hear about your experience, at least you know what you don't want.
Perhaps you could sell your ill fitting bike and get measured for a decent one at the shop you've been to.
Don't give up it'll be worth it in the end
PS I always tell my daughters that they'll have to kiss one or two frogs before a Prince comes along.
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AlbionLass
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a well fitting bike suitable for your needs. Last year I bought a Gary Fisher hybrid to get me back into cycling. It cost me £150 as it was the previous years model and I do general cycling and day rides of up to 65 miles on it in comfort.
I spent a little extra to customise the saddle, pedals, handlebars and tyres to my own preference but in total didn't spend over £270 on the bike.
It fits me well, is geared as low as a traditional touring bike so copes admirably with the steepest hills and can keep up on the flat.
I spent a little extra to customise the saddle, pedals, handlebars and tyres to my own preference but in total didn't spend over £270 on the bike.
It fits me well, is geared as low as a traditional touring bike so copes admirably with the steepest hills and can keep up on the flat.
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AlbionLass
It's hard to recommend specific models as people differ so much in height, torso and leg length etc and what works really well for one person could be torture for someone else. Your best bet would be to go to a good shop and sit on as many bikes as possible.
I fitted butterfly bars to mine so now I have a choice of hand positions from level with the saddle, to below it and hands at right angles.
I fitted butterfly bars to mine so now I have a choice of hand positions from level with the saddle, to below it and hands at right angles.