Originally Posted by
oldermom
Since I have been riding more I have been thinking about doing some more distance or charity riding, maybe 30 or so miles.
When I tested the Giant FCR3w my hands/arms became uncomfortable. I might not have been riding in the correct position.
How hard is it to get use to a fitness bike coming from a hybrid? Do your hands/arms hurt on the fitness bike or is it something you can adjust with the bike and positioning.
Hi Holly.
Sorry to hear the sad news about your bike.
If you're thinking of longer rides or charity rides (usually 50-100+ miles) you should definitely consider something a little faster than a hybrid. I've seen people riding mountain bikes and hybrids on longer rides (centuries and metric centuries) and they really looked like they were suffering. Something more like a road bike or a bike with geometry similar to road bike geometry will be much more comfortable on long rides.
The FCR probably felt uncomfortable simply because you aren't used to that riding position. Move your hands around often to relieve hand/arm fatigue. Were you wearing padded cycling gloves? If not, they will be a tremendous help with the problem.
Going from a hybrid to a road bike can be a big step unless your body is telling it's time to move up. You'll quickly adapt to the new position and you'll enjoy those long rides.
BTW: Not sure where you got that forum name of "oldermom". If you have a 9 year old you can't be very old.
My youngest is 27 and I'm 63 and I'm still a kid.
