Originally Posted by cyccommute

I agree. However it is up to the whole team to find a bike that fits properly. “Settling” for a bike that doesn’t fit isn’t about who is right or wrong nor about mistakes while riding.



You don’t see the issue here? If the stoker can’t straddle the bike comfortably, how can they mount the bike in the manner that they want to mount? Again, would you ride a bike that you couldn’t straddle comfortably or one that requires you to climb up on it like a jungle gym?

By the way, the “boob” tube isn’t the rear top tube. The “boob” tube is the lowest tube that links the two bottom brackets and comes from the BB for bottom bracket.



Then why bring it is here? I will say that in “The Proper Method”, the stoker does mount first in that they get their feet on the pedal and are seated in the saddle before the captain. I don’t think anyone would suggest that the stoker straddle the bike before the captain straddles the bike. I have occasionally left the stoker to hold the bike while I get off to adjust something (saddle usually) but that is usually only after we are underway and the stoker says something needs adjustment.



I wouldn’t disagree. However, using a shock post is up to the team to decide. As a very long term mountain biker, I’m very used to raise off the saddle on bumps. Unfortunately most people don’t understand how to do this or why. I had to tell my wife why I did it just this last summer because she didn’t know why or what I was doing. She’s not a mountain biker and never really developed that skill. She now lifts up a little when I level the pedals so bumps aren’t that bad. She’s even told me that I don’t need to call out bumps.

Finally, we have been having discussions because of this thread. She finds the supposedly punishingly stiff aluminum Cannondale to be a very comfortable bike. She is actually enjoying riding it which isn’t something I could have said 35 years ago.