Robert Foster

I have mentioned before that I just got back into cycling after years of neglect. I freely admit I am not bicycle fit by any stretch of the imagination but I am sure that will come with time. However when I decided to try biking again I followed some of the advice I have seen here before and went to my LBS to get a bike. Things have changed a lot over the last 19 years and my eyes must have looked wide to the dealer. But he let me ride a lot of different bikes for a few days till I happened almost as a second thought decided to ride a Revive LX and my logical thought process went right out of the door. I simply couldn’t believe how comfortable this bike was and easy to ride even if it was a bit heavy. After a few days I decided to drop the hammer and the revive came home with me. It was adjusted to fit and I started riding it everywhere. The bike was comfortable but it was pretty bad on any hill and it was hard to push any of the bigger gears. I knew it was supposed to have an upright seating position but I believe my brain still felt I was just riding a modified cruiser or an extreme Touring bike.

I had been riding the bike for almost a month and just decided to live with the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to push and big gears unless I was going down hill. Then the other day I decided to do something that was counter intuitive to what I had always thought when adjusting my riding position and instead of adjusting my body forward I moved my body back and pulled the bars up and back as well. While my back and seat had always been comfortable my out of shape knees and legs complained and I simply couldn’t push any tall gears. But after moving my body back a bit passed straight upright and getting into a semi recumbent position it was like dropping a v-6 in a car that came with a straight 4. I am pushing much taller gears and the smallest hill doesn’t fill me with dread. When I expressed my new found joy to my LBS he simply smiled and asked why I hadn’t called or dropped by with my concern and he would have adjusted it for me. I just shrugged my shoulders rather than admit I didn’t know it would make this much difference.

I guess I have learned more than one new trick. I will be in closer communication with my LBS. I also will have to learn that some of my experiences from 20 years ago don’t translate to some of the new bikes sold today. I learned something new this week. I may have to ask a lot of questions if I decide to add a MTB.

Bob

The Weak Link

It looks like a 'cranks forward' bike, lurking in limbo between a cruiser and a 'bent. I know nothing of them.

DnvrFox

One of the tricks taught to old dogs is moving back engages the glutes, giving more power.

Robert Foster

Fox,
I now realize that. It is something I should have guessed just from looking at the bike. I just never thought it would make such a difference. The Revive comes with a computer and my average speed has increased as I can spin much taller gears. Of course I am now pushed up against the seat back so my whole leg is pushing more like working a leg lift machine at the gym. But it simply didn't seem natural even after riding Cruisers. This knowledge would have made a big difference on my last 25 mile ride.

Bob

Tom Bombadil

It is a crank forward, and yes, I took a test ride on one. The way the seat can be positioned is ingenious. Up, down, back, forward, adjust the back rest position. Extremely comfortable. One of the slowest bikes you can buy, but it gets people on bikes that would normally be so uncomfortable that they won't ride. On hills they are very slow, but not that hard to pedal. You just slowly go right up hills that you think you can't ride over.

They also make an electric assist model. Which I think is great. Get people out riding bikes in the park who thought they'd never be able to bike again.

I thought it was a really neat design.

Robert Foster

Tom,
You are right on about it not impressing anyone with blistering speed. However it is one of the most comfortable bikes I tried at the LBS. It makes a fine utility bike and I use it to go to the grocery store and some other small errands during the week. I just knew that I wanted my first new bike after all of these years to be one I would ride. Not because I could force myself to but because I enjoyed it. Now that I have adjusted it so I can get a bit more power going up hill I will more than likely ride even farther than I have been. It is the kind of bike that makes it easy to ride and because of that I am sure I can be bike fit in a year or so. Then I might be willing to look at a MTB or Hybrid because I will know I can and will ride it and it won’t just gather dust like I see so many doing around my neighborhood.

Bob

Beverly

Sounds like you've found a great LBS. A good LBS will work with you to make cycling fun!

Enjoy the new bike. I've seen a couple of them on the trails around here and they look real comfortable.