Modify Mountain Bike for Comfort
03-11-09, 06:47 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Modify Mountain Bike for Comfort
I recently bought a Gary Fisher Mountain bike (29er) similar to this: https://cyclingspokenhere.com/itemdet...fm?LibId=48354
I don't do serious mountain biking at all. My biking is normally urban in nature around neighborhood, parks and flat trails. The more I ride the new bike the more I find that it's not comfortable for me. I wanted the mountain bike for the extra stability, durability (hopping off curbs, etc.) and the front shocks. The disk breaks are nice, too. However, I'm not wild about the lower profile which forces me to bend over more and puts a lot of pressure on my back, butt, hands and shoulders. I know that I can modify it for comfort, but I was hoping that those with experience could provide some links to products that might fill the need. Specifically, * Handle bars, * Stem, * Seat and * Smooth/Urban tires.
What products would make a slick fit. I'm kind of after clean, Euro-look, but with Cruiser comfort.
I don't do serious mountain biking at all. My biking is normally urban in nature around neighborhood, parks and flat trails. The more I ride the new bike the more I find that it's not comfortable for me. I wanted the mountain bike for the extra stability, durability (hopping off curbs, etc.) and the front shocks. The disk breaks are nice, too. However, I'm not wild about the lower profile which forces me to bend over more and puts a lot of pressure on my back, butt, hands and shoulders. I know that I can modify it for comfort, but I was hoping that those with experience could provide some links to products that might fill the need. Specifically, * Handle bars, * Stem, * Seat and * Smooth/Urban tires.
What products would make a slick fit. I'm kind of after clean, Euro-look, but with Cruiser comfort.
Last edited by vinke; 03-11-09 at 07:06 PM.
03-11-09, 07:19 PM
#2
Senior Member
Euro-look? Care to elaborate? Actually a link to picture of what you'd like your bike to look like would be helpful.
There are a myriad of options to choose from based on your want list. Do you have a price range?
There are a myriad of options to choose from based on your want list. Do you have a price range?
03-11-09, 07:21 PM
#3
I suck, but you're worse
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: LA
Posts: 672
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Uno-Got rid of the rest when I moved to LA:(
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
is money a big factor? Id start with a brooks springer saddle, or something similar. There is a brooks knockoff on ebay that might fit the ticket for about $64- ebay item 220349614568. When leather saddles break in they are the most comfortable you will ever have, though they are a little heavier than something made of more modern materials.
03-11-09, 07:25 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
OK...maybe not "Euro" but "Mountain Bike mashed-up with Cruiser". I'm searching for photos/ideas, but I've not found anything just yet.
03-11-09, 07:29 PM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
is money a big factor? Id start with a brooks springer saddle, or something similar. There is a brooks knockoff on ebay that might fit the ticket for about $64- ebay item 220349614568. When leather saddles break in they are the most comfortable you will ever have, though they are a little heavier than something made of more modern materials.
The above might feel better, but not sure what it'll look like w/ rock shocks.
Most important might just to sit higher, first. I believe that means getting a different stem and/or handle bars.
03-11-09, 07:57 PM
#6
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,524
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Many of us use trekking bars, you can get them at Nashbar for about $20, depending on what sale they have going on. The trekking bars allow for a lot of hand positions, which is key to comfort. And the other nice thing is that they accept the controls you already have, so no need to change shifters, brake levers, etc. That is where the cost to modify jumps up quickly.
