Road Bike Comfort
09-15-05, 03:16 PM
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Road Bike Comfort
Hello. I am a newbie to this forum idea and had a question about the positioning of a bike's seat, handle bars, and petals in relation with the rider.
Would this be a generla question of preference, or are there stantard positions that would cater to different styles of bike riding. I would like one that allows me to excert a fair amount of force while still seated yet comfortable while going slower speeds.
I also was wondering how a naturally lower center of gravity affects a rider.
Thank You
Would this be a generla question of preference, or are there stantard positions that would cater to different styles of bike riding. I would like one that allows me to excert a fair amount of force while still seated yet comfortable while going slower speeds.
I also was wondering how a naturally lower center of gravity affects a rider.
Thank You
09-15-05, 03:24 PM
#2
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Originally Posted by LadyRose
Hello. I am a newbie to this forum idea and had a question about the positioning of a bike's seat, handle bars, and petals in relation with the rider.
Would this be a generla question of preference, or are there stantard positions that would cater to different styles of bike riding. I would like one that allows me to excert a fair amount of force while still seated yet comfortable while going slower speeds.
I also was wondering how a naturally lower center of gravity affects a rider.
Would this be a generla question of preference, or are there stantard positions that would cater to different styles of bike riding. I would like one that allows me to excert a fair amount of force while still seated yet comfortable while going slower speeds.
I also was wondering how a naturally lower center of gravity affects a rider.
See: https://sheldonbrown.com/pain and https://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing
The position that is best for an out-of-shape newby is different than what the same rider would want after a few thousand miles of riding.
Center of gravity differences on upright-type bikes (as opposed to recumbents) make little difference, but, surprisingly, the higher the center of gravity, the more stable the bike turns out to be.
Sheldon "It Depends" Brown
Code:
+---------------------------------------------+ | If your bike has drop handlebars, but you | | rarely or never ride on the drops, it’s a | | sure sign that your bike is not properly | | fitted or is not properly adjusted! | | See: https://sheldonbrown.com/handsup | +---------------------------------------------+
09-15-05, 05:38 PM
#3
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LadyRose:
1) Welcome to the forum.
2) Do consult Sheldon's website for a remarkably comprehensive education on bicycles.
3) If you are using standard "drop" type road handlebars, the easiest initial position for you may be with your hands atop the brake levers. You may also want to start with a short-reach handlebar stem, switching back to the original longer one as you get more confident and comfortable with the bent-forward position.
1) Welcome to the forum.
2) Do consult Sheldon's website for a remarkably comprehensive education on bicycles.
3) If you are using standard "drop" type road handlebars, the easiest initial position for you may be with your hands atop the brake levers. You may also want to start with a short-reach handlebar stem, switching back to the original longer one as you get more confident and comfortable with the bent-forward position.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
09-16-05, 04:17 AM
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Lots of good advice for non-racing cyclists at
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
09-16-05, 08:00 AM
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I second consulting Sheldon's site as well as other web resources (try doing a search on this site for "fit"). To answer your question, yes, there are certain standards that are used as starting points. These usually relate to 1) seat height, 2) seat fore-aft position, and 3) reach (handlebars in relation to saddle). Handlebar height would be another relevant measurement. I think that seat height and seat fore-aft positions would probably be more-or-less independent of style. Reach and handlebar height will probably be the ones that you need to consider the most in terms of "comfort" versus "speed". But bear in mind that the "standards" are only starting places, and that little "tweaks" can make big differences in comfort. If you're just starting out, it's good to work with someone at your LBS (local bike shop) on these issues. I've done this and it resulted in a much more comfortable fit for me; I'm more confident making some of these adjustments on my own now.
BTW, welcome to the forum.
BTW, welcome to the forum.
