Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Almost had a first ride

I spent another 3 hours last weekend on the Puch and it rides beautifully. Unfortunately it does not fit yet :( I've put about 6 hours into it and $60.00 in parts and I know it's paying off, the thing is when I raise the seat to accomodate my legs the seat height is well over the bar height putting my weight on my arms and pitching me forward so that I'm completely unstable on the bike. Good thing I was wearing my helmet, I didn't fall, but it wouldn't have been outside the realm of possibility. I rode about a mile trying to dial it in and it took me back to the summer my car was expensively broken and I rode my wifes miyata 10-speed to work so many years ago. My posterior was hanging well behind the seat to keep balance and it was difficult to look up to see riding in the drops, forget about the hoods as the handlebars are too small. Still the parts I did fix are preforming nicely. I just got a line on another bike and I'm making progress on the trek but it's a long way off. I will ride, I will ride, I will ride.

Keep trying! The first time back on the bike, even before I "really" started biking in 2006, I rode about two blocks on gravel and dirt on my ancient MTB. Was a blast, but it's amazing I survived!! :D

I will ride, I will ride, I will ride.

Exactly. Never say die!

oh did I mention that I live on a gravel road, it's only about 100 yards to the pavement but still interesting for the short run.

1. Walk to the pavement until you are comfortable on gravel. No need, no advantage to push it.

2. Slide the seat back. Hopefully you have a seat post that allows the seat to be slid backwards in a horizontal plane.

3. Are you sure the frame on your bike fits (is big enough)? If you have a lot of seat post showing (more than a handful), maybe you need the next size up.

4. Also, initially, you will probably be more comfortable on a hybrid/rigid frame mountain bike. Those styles have more of an upright rider position.

5. A lot of riders riding street bikes rarely use the drops. Most of the time, hands are either on top of the hoods, or on the horizontal section near the handlebar stem. In 1400 miles of riding a road bike this year, I don't think I have ridden one mile in the drops. I basically use three positions: the horizontal section near the stem, the corner where the handlebars turn forward, and on top of the hoods.

6. Keep going, it gets easier fast and your confidence will grow rapidly. I enjoy having several bikes (all bought used for very little money: a hybrid, a mountain bike and a road bike). Different roads/rides favor a different tool

When you stand over teh bike, how much space do you have between the top tube and and yor crotch? Most of thetime, but not always, thetop tube length is generically proportional to the stand over higth.

You can compensate with seat posts and stems. If "original" isn't a huge deal you can still find vintage friendly stuff at fair prices, but you still have to lay out few bucks.

Glad you are sticking with it!

For two weeks now, I've tried to get out to a paved trail (former rail line) and something's always come up. Tonight I just did it, and it felt great! Can't wait to go there again in a day or two. Honestly I suppose some of it was fear and intimidation of real cyclists but mainly it was just life getting in the way. Different reasons, but we'll both get there! :thumb:

Try core exercises to strengthen your back and abs. Slide the saddle back a bit so your legs support you more when you're pedaling. Raise or flip your stem. Takes a while to find the right fit, but once you find it, you can ride forever.

I'm 6'4" but it's all torso. 36-37 shirt length, 34 pants inseam(not bike inseam) The stem and saddle are 'borrowed' from my also too small huffy mountain bike so I can get the height, but the saddle is at its max adjusment in set back. I can raise the saddle high enough, but then the stem is the problem. Standover height is good with a little over an inch of clearance from the top tube, also the top tube is 22" long and feels like a good reach when the seat and top of the bars are level. I need the bars in front of me and not underneath me and behind my sholders. I'll get an extra-long stem on payday and hopefully I can get the bars up another 6-8". I may have to run new brake cables for the height, but it'll be worth it if I can get it. I hope to post a real ride report soon as I have a 10-mile route all mapped out and calling to me. I see some clydes with bikes set up like mine is with the seat super high and the bars low and I can't imagine how they can deal with that setup. The guy at my favorite LBS had me sit on a new Bianche built for a tall guy and I had a taste of what a bike can feel like. It's all I can think about, I want that fit again. Still I'm very happy with the head tube and wheel bearings that I cleaned and repacked, they're smooth and solid, a joy to ride.

When you stand over teh bike, how much space do you have between the top tube and and yor crotch? Most of thetime, but not always, thetop tube length is generically proportional to the stand over higth.


Cool. I just learned something new.

Cool. I just learned something new.

And I think I may have set a record for typo's per word ratio, lol.

And I need to double check that measurement as I may have measured it from the lug to the lug and not from tube to tube. Ok, I got to go look up how to measure a bike.