MacAttack

My bike rattles my bones & vertebrae more than I'd like when I go over bumps. I'm not sure if it's the frame or the tires or what it is. The only other bike I've tried has skinnier tires than mine, but it almost felt like it had suspension compared to mine.

Anyway my bike is a Kona Dew Drop with Continental CountryRide 37 tires inflated to 65 psi. You'd think that would make it comfy, but not so.

Is there anything I can do to make it a little less bone-jarring. I thought about one of those Brooks saddles with the springs to protect my easily-irritated vertebrae, but I'm not sure if anything else might help. Maybe different tires?

Anyway if nothing else I'll just ride it for a year or 2 until I feel like getting a new one. I intentionally bought a cheaper bike for my first one, so I could figure out what I liked & didn't like. (I think it was $560 on clearance).

RunningPirate

Some random thoughts:

1) Maybe air down the tires? (45 to 50psig, maybe?) You might encounter some more rolling resistance, but they should provide a little smoother ride.
2) I know in the past someone made seat posts with a shock absorber in them...sort of a poor mans rear suspension - maybe see if you can locate one?

Edit:

Here's a link to suspension seat posts: https://www.mtbr.com/cat/suspension/s...LS_150crx.aspx

Also, it looks like the Dew Drop is aluminum frame - does that include the forks, too? That might explain why the ride is somewhat harsh. I'm going to guess that the other bike you're referring to was (is) steel, which is somewhat springier, thus the different ride qualities.

MacAttack

It has a steel fork. The other bike was aluminum also with a carbon fork. It almost seems like my tires are rocks compared to the other bike with skinnier tires at a higher psi. I can just pick the front end of each bike up and bounce it on the ground, and mine just isn't as cushy.

qmsdc15

Get your weight off your saddle and onto your pedals when you go over bumps.

xoxoxoxoLive

qsmdc15 is right, but you might want to try a suspension seatpost, not very expensive. I rode with one for a long
time and really thought it helped. You might want to try a padded seat cover, and gloves also. Richard

MacAttack

I do that except when I hit a bump unexpectedly. I have a knee that's aggravated when I stand up like that, but it's slowly getting better. I still don't understand why my bike feels so harsh. Could it be that my tires are causing the harshness? I have 37's; my friend has 32's, but my bike feels much more jolting. Can cheap tires be that much worse?

The bikes are both aluminum. Mine is a hybrid with drops, my friend's is a cyclocross. My bike is quite a bit heavier.

mikeschn

Hmmm...

Start with a suspension seat post... get a nice comfy saddle...

then get some air out of those tires... deflate them down to 40 psi..

If that doesn't do it, get wider rims and wider tires...

If the harshness is in the handlebars, get a suspension fork.

Have fun, and report back what you find works for you!

Mikey

MacAttack

Would a Brooks sprung saddle accomplish the same thing as a suspension seat post?

I've hit a couple holes pretty hard when not paying enuf attention & thought that maybe the jolt I felt in my vertebrae isn't really good for it, especially since I already have to make the occasional emergency trip to the chiropractor when my back goes out.

xoxoxoxoLive

I see your running the factory tires that came on the bike, never have owned a Brooks saddle. But for the same price
you could get a ( nice ) suspension seat post. They are adjustably so you could play around with just how much you wanted
out of it. A gel padded seat cover works wonders also if you do not wear cycling pants. Brooks saddle's are an ( expensive ) gamble
when the seat post is a sure fire fix. Just My Thoughts, Richard

xoxoxoxoLive

If the problem is as bad as you are describing, I do not think just changing the saddle would be enough. Richard

( forks would not help you on that end anyway, besides the cost to upgrade, would be enough to make me want to sell the bike, and look
for something else )

xoxoxoxoLive

Sorry for the back to back post, just trying to help. 65 PSI is pretty maxed out for those tires, I just assumed 60 to 85 PSI
would be the normal pressure. But from what I could find that is about the max, looks like they are a rather low pressure
tire. 45 to 65 PSI, what do yours say on the side walls ? Richard

prathmann

65 psi is pretty high pressure for such wide tires. Note that skinny tires would deflect much more for a given load than would wide tires at similar pressures. What makes wider tires more comfortable is that you can safely run them at much lower pressures without suffering from pinch flats. But at high pressures they'll give a harsh ride. The optimum pressure will depend on the load on each tire, so it'll vary with the rider's weight and will generally be significantly lower in the front tire than the rear. If you let us know the weight of you plus the bike then we could give a better recommendation on the pressure to run, but I suspect that you should be using much less than 65 psi, especially in the front.

MacAttack

I weigh 200.
Bike weighs about 28 lbs.
The tires say a max of 70 psi, 58 recommended.
How low can I go with the psi before having problems?

AdelaaR

If you are having issues like these you'll probably have to go for suspension as this will help reduce the shocks.
I've got a front suspension fork and a suspension seatpost and it helps my bad back and neck (both have a double hernia) to cope with the bad conditions of the roads around here.
Another thing that's nice is a gel saddle.

marmot

I have the same bike, with the same tires, but I can't say I'm having the same problems. I weigh 185, and I keep the tires at about 55 pounds. The bike has a bit more road feel than my other bike, which is a big, cushy comfort bike with suspension fork and seat post. I wouldn't call either bike harsh, and in fact the Dew Drop is more conducive to all-day comfort because of the drops and superior riding position. I have noted that the Kona actually rides smoother wiith loaded panniers. Try letting some air out of your tires, and consider a spring-suspended Brooks, I guess. You can move it to another bike if need be. I haven't found suspension seat posts to be very effective, but maybe I haven't tried a good one.

MacAttack

[QUOTE=marmot;12231361]I have the same bike, with the same tires, but I can't say I'm having the same problems. I weigh 185, and I keep the tires at about 55 pounds. The bike has a bit more road feel than my other bike, which is a big, cushy comfort bike with suspension fork and seat post. I wouldn't call either bike harsh, and in fact the Dew Drop is more conducive to all-day comfort because of the drops and superior riding position. I have noted that the Kona actually rides smoother wiith loaded panniers. Try letting some air out of your tires, and consider a spring-suspended Brooks, I guess. You can move it to another bike if need be. I haven't found suspension seat posts to be very effective, but maybe I haven't tried a good one.[/QUOTE

I think that's what I'll go with............lower tire pressure first, then maybe a brook's sprung saddle. I like to ride logging roads occasionally anyway, so the saddle would probably feel pretty good on some of those rutted roads. Also keep in mind I haven't ridden a bike in about 15 years, so I have no idea if it's "normal" harsh or abnormal. It's just harsher feeling than my friend's bike with 32 tires vs mine with 37 tires, and it hurts my aging body. I couldn't figure out why. It's probably perfectly normal as far as bikes go. I'm just getting old.

Other than that I love the bike, so I'm not getting rid of it. Just need to fine tune it. There aren't too many other bikes that have drop bars & the ability to take fat tires. It's exactly what I was looking for for riding on the roads/city during the week & on the logging roads or whatever else on the weekends. Thanks for all the ideas !

marmot

[QUOTE=MacAttack;12231831]Hey Mac. My riding usually involves paved streets, a highway shoulder, back roads, a couple of shallow ditches, grassy fields, and some paved, gravel and dirt paths -- all on the same ride. Often I'll return with 20 or 30 pounds of groceries aboard. There aren't many bikes that will do an OK job at all of those things, then go touring on the weekend. So far, I'm OK with the stock saddle. As I said, I find the ride firm, but far from punishing. I tried running my comfort bike at 80 PSI to make it roll better, but even with the suspension it was more uncomfortable than the Dew Drop at 55. And still a lot slower.
I hope you can sort out your comfort issues, because the bike really is tough, capable and a heap of fun.
And you're not getting old, you're getting, er, experienced!

Sixty Fiver

Waitaminute... the Dew Drop is a road bike.

Get out.











I'm kidding.

Seriously... the dew Drop is a nice bike and a great all rounder.

I would avoid any suspended seat post that does not say "Thudbuster" as the rest are mostly pogo sticks... padded seat covers are good for people who don't ride much and people who ride more tend to ride firmer saddles that have better support.

It would seem to me that the biggest issue might be the amount of time you have spent in the saddle since you say you have not spent any serious time in the saddle for 15 years and more of that saddle time will make you stronger and better able to handle those bumps.

A sprung Brooks saddle is a wonderful thing but these are designed for a more upright riding position and may not work as well on a bike like the Dew Drop... Wallbike is a good place to buy a Brooks as they offer a no quibble money back guarantee so if you don;t like it you can return it.

Would like to see how your bike is set up... if it has been a while since you have been on a bike the position on the DD might be too aggressive and you might want to raise the bars a little.

And do drop the tyre pressure a little to see if a few less psi results in a softer ride.

javal

Agree, in the sense that you lift your butt slightly when going over bumps. If you hold too hard onto bar, that might cause a stiff/uneasy riding style. In that case, vibrations tend to be un-absorbed.

prathmann

Assuming a weight distribution of about 40/60 between front and back you should be able to run at 60 psi in the back and around 40 - 45 psi in the front using 37mm tires. There's a calculator to give approximate recommended pressures at:
https://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-...alculator.html

xoxoxoxoLive

[QUOTE=MacAttack;12231831]

I never meant for you to get rid of the bike, just the cost to go suspension forks, ( which I did not advise ) would not
be worth the money. Richard The brooks is more of a touring saddle, meant for long rides, not JOLTING bumps !
Good Luck in your search for comfort, I think we have all been there.

mikeschn

I use a WTB Rocket V saddle... that might be a possibility for that end of things...

https://www.wtb.com/products/saddles/racing/rocketv/

Mikey

xoxoxoxoLive

Example, under 600.00 dollars, LONG COMFORTABLE rural road rides, ( slow ) but comfortable. Price not including
extras, but can go off road, No problem. Average speed 10 to 14 MPH, but no discomfort. Richard ( Good Luck )

edp773

I agree with the lower tire pressure first, 45 to 50 PSI, and then work on bike fit. I put an adjustale stem on one of my bikes to balance my weight prpoperly.

Saddles and suspension seat posts are personal preferences. As mentioned the suspensioned seat post will reduce shock, but a lower quality may bounce you up in the air over a large bump.

Comparing a steel fork to a carbon fibre fork and a Dew to a cycle-cross is like comparing apples and oranges. The carbon will absorb more impact than steel and transmit less to the rider/handlebar. Padded gloves and padded bar tape can help here.
The cyclo-cross is designed for offroad use.

Make your bike fit you as best you can. Items like a saddle, seatpost, and adjustable stem can be transfered to a new bike when you get one.

MacAttack

Does this setup look ok? I added a stem riser to it.

I have long legs & a fairly short torso, so it's kind of hard to find a good fit.
Also is this upright enough that a sprung Brooks saddle would be worth it?

I did lower the tire pressure as people suggested & that made a lot of difference, so I'm actually ok on it now, but I think it might be better with a different saddle.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink