Originally Posted by
alanknm
Go to a good reputable local bike shop and talk to them.If you're really sure that a new bike will help then they can point you out to the right kind of bike and can fit you to something that will suit your budget. But take your bike and show what you're riding and what your problems are. Sometimes it's also just a matter of having them make some adjustments to your existing bike for a better fitting than you have now. I can't tell you how often I see people riding bikes that have the seat too low, the tires under inflated, the handbars at the wrong height and in the wrong gear, sweating and groaning and eventually giving up.
Good idea. I did used to ride years ago, but never a lot. I have fussed around with my seat. Back, forth, up, down, etc and still am not happy. Maybe some help would be good. I do keep my tires inflated at the max for riding on pavement and let it out a bit for rougher rides. The handle bars feel too high but they are at the lowest they can go.
Nearly all of my riding is in very low gears. I end up in 2 or 1 going up most of the hills in the area. Some hills I have to walk. I tend to use only the largest three or four sprockets on the back and the smallest two chain rings on the front.
I don't know what model of bike you're riding and I know that riding a hybrid where it's hilly can be a lot of work and getting the mileage up can take a lot out of you. Just take it one step at a time. If you haven't done a lot of riding before, then it can be a lot harder. There are lots of beginner training programs out there that are quite modest in expectations that can be a good start for getting you bootstrapped with your existing bike.
Any idea on beginner training programs? You are talking online I assume?
Keep a log of your rides. Get a cheap bike computer to record your mileage. Once you gain more confidence you'll probably be buying more gizmos to track your performance.
Excellent! I will do this. I have to say that I have improved a bit in the three months I have been riding. The first two months were mostly on the flats so it felt so easy. But now I am in hilly country so it is hard!
Step 1) Work with what you have. Get out and ride. Try to increase your mileage each time, and don't be hill shy. 90% of people I see out there are climbing hills in the wrong gear. There are plenty of websites that can tell you about proper technique.
www.bikeradar.com in the UK is good.
I am having a bit of trouble finding information on proper technique. I think that I am doing it right but I could be wrong so I'd like to read up on the issue. EDIT: I have now read online on several sites about shifting technique for hills. I seem to be doing it right. Pedal easy and fast and be sure to shift soon enough. I don't cross chain. The problem is my engine more than my technique.
Though I still need practice getting a nice smooth cadence in all these hills.
Riding is something you should enjoy. Right now it seems like a chore but as you get into better shape you'll get a better sense of what sort of bike you'll really need.
For all dirt and lots of hills with loose gravel, you're looking at a mountain bike. If it's only going to be used for part of the year, then I'd look at a cheap hardtail because it sounds like a lot of your riding is going to be on the road.
One more thing, if you get yourself into shape on a heavier hybrid first, you'll be in excellent shape on a roadbike. I know a lot of people who are accomplished athletes who start their training regime in the spring with a heavy clunker for the first month and them move over to their high performance bikes after that.
Thanks for taking your time with me. It isn't fun right now. It was fun on the flats. But I am stubborn and really want to be able to ride again.