Luddite

I don't think much of my bike, I mean it gets me places and it's a hardy beast, but I didn't think it's much to look at.

I met WCoastPeddler during 'mass last night and he complimented my tank. I was surprised, she's never gotten a compliment in person before.

Thanks WCPeddler!

NormanF

Is it a cruiser? A three speed? A roadster? You didn't say what you got a compliment over!

Luddite

My bike, pre-fenders, lights, rack, bell etc.

A very non-fancy non-shiny bike.

Panthers007

Nothing wrong with that, Luddite. She looks like a good ride from my perch here in Varmint (Vermont). I don't think I've ever seen an Asama here in the states. But we get a million Canadian tourists driving huge mobile-home things. With bikes on the backs and roofs. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Luddite

I saw another Luddite rider in the Mass, hers was a different vintage. I said "Hey, bike twin!"

WCoastPeddler

Yup, I think it's a fine bike and was a bit surprised by how little you paid for it. And the most important thing is that you ride it -- that truly makes it a good bike.

Nice bumping into you yesterday.

*****

cshell

What's the definition of "cheap"?

qmsdc15

No kidding!? Your bike looks like you painted it yourself and stenciled the graphics. I guess that's what they want me to think. Luddite is actually the name of a production bike? That's really cool and your bike is cool too.

Try rolling the bars back until your grips are level to the ground, that's how your handlebars are designed to be used. Your back might feel better as this will put you in a more upright position. If you don't want to change the angle of your back, you can lower the stem. Bars rolled forward like that is not pleasing to my eye, but I'm sort of OCD. I think it's not ergometric either. That stem is my second favorite pivoting stem after the Cinelli Ergo. I think you could get a good fit without tweaking your bars like that.

Panthers007

It depends entirely on who you ask.

Luddite

You mean more vertical? I'm a bit confused. My goal is to ride a metric century on that bike as comfortably as possible.

I mean "cheap" as in low grade, though it's no Cambodian Tire Bike. This bike is actually $313.60 at Sport Junkies, the head wrench guy there designed it himself. I like that it doesn't have suspension anything, it's steel and no nonsense.

I'm impressed with the tires, too, I have gone off many curbs, broken glass, really rough gravel etc, they don't flinch.

Nice to bump into you too, WCPeddler.

qmsdc15

Roll the bars back until the grips are horizontal. Make fit adjustments at the stem, keep your grips level to the ground. This will be much better for longer rides. Your hands will still hurt unless you get some bar ends and padded gloves. Whether you use drops, flats, or risers, I think it is important to have them at the proper angle.

Luddite

I might be receiving some bar ends pretty soon, eh? I never bothered getting gloves, I don't seem to need them? I only notice with lots of riding (like Friday) my elbows start to hurt.

I kinda like the angle of my handlebars, the guy who sold me the bike set them that way for me when I first got the bike, it was the same guy who designed the bike...hmmm...

qmsdc15

The guy was wrong. He did not design the handlebars. They are designed to be used with the grips level to the ground. Your elbows hurt because they were supporting weight at an awkward angle for a long time.

Luddite

Parallel, you mean? It's disturbing to me he is wrong, he's the main bike dude there.

I haven't noticed major problems from my incorrectly positioned handlebars.

ARe you sure it's dead wrong to have them angled other than parallel with the ground?

https://www.asamabikes.ca/bikes.php?id=7

Even the stock photo to me does not appear level with the ground, amirite?

qmsdc15

No, I'm dead wrong. They look close enough to level in the picture. Sorry, nevermind. Try my suggestion if you like, but your handlebars look OK. When you put the bar ends on, you may decide to change the handlebar angle, but maybe not.

Luddite

Perhaps my elbow discomfort could also be due to the fact my seat was too low and I wasn't varying hand positions enough? I guess time will tell...

Chuck G

Use the handlebar position that feels best to you. You may need to experiment to find a better fit. Everyone is different.

I switched from a riser bar set close to parallel with the ground, to a handlebar with 40 degree sweep and have the grips angled up towards my shoulders - this puts my wrists in a much more comfortable position than the stock setup.

YMMV

WCoastPeddler

+1.

qmsdc15

Generally speaking, a handlebar position that allows you to hold your wrists straight is preferable to one that forces them into an odd angle.