First ride success
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
First ride success
Hey everyone. I just want to thank everyone for usefull information, suggestion and encouragement. After a week of research, buying msc tools and equipment, learning how to adjust my seat, inflate the tires and use an indoor trainer, I took my bike out for a first ride. I found an empty parking lot close by.. Drove around a few times a played with the lower gears. Actually picked up a little speed. Although my seat is adjusted to the recommended height, i felt it was too low and could feel the strain on my knees. Kept it to 15 min and stopped when my knees started complaining but very thrilled with my first ride. Will try again tomorrow. Next trick... figure out how to comfortably change gears. Cheers!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 681 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
299 Posts
Congratulations!
There is just something about the wind on your face, at any speed, that makes you feel free.
John
There is just something about the wind on your face, at any speed, that makes you feel free.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
#4
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 15,980
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 595 Post(s)
Liked 229 Times
in
149 Posts
Recommended seat height is just a starting point for determining what works best for you. Tweaking ergonomics is an ongoing process.
Good start on cycling!
Good start on cycling!
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 681 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
299 Posts
Seat position, not just height, and knees can sometimes be an issue. I’m not sure if a doctor or a fitter with enough experience with people who have knee issues is the best recommendation to minimize strain.
it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
Likes For BobbyG:
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Seat height
Just back fom my second ride. Seat levelled and raised by 2 inches. Not quite high enough but made a big difference and will do until I get used to mounting and dismounting. I think it can probably go up another .5 to .75 inches. Going from 28" to 30" was a daring move but much easier on the knees. Today, i tool the time to understand how the gears worked and was able to shift 1 - 7 in 2. Seems pretty basic but I don't think I ever did before. Previous biking was before internet. Lol Also getting more comfortable with steady stearing/more in control of the bike. Pretty happy with the outcome, one step at a time.
Seat position, not just height, and knees can sometimes be an issue. I’m not sure if a doctor or a fitter with enough experience with people who have knee issues is the best recommendation to minimize strain.it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
John
Likes For crn3371:
#9
Sniveling Weasel
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 697
Bikes: Rodriguez Racing Tandem, Fondriest Steelie, Bianchi Trofeo, Bianchi Infinito, Schwinn Varsity, Trek mtn
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Liked 342 Times
in
214 Posts
A very good first ride. It will only get better as you fine tune your adjustments. Very exciting.
__________________
Rick Seattle-ish, Wa.
“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
Rick Seattle-ish, Wa.
“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
Likes For rsbob:
Likes For philbob57:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oakville
Posts: 330
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, Peugeot UO14, Trek 800 Anetelope, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times
in
56 Posts
Keep riding and enjoy the fun of learning something new every day!
Likes For gthomson:
#12
I think I know nothing.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NE PA
Posts: 635
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 208 Post(s)
Liked 263 Times
in
184 Posts
My knees usually hurt for the first 10 miles then they are ok. I could probably avoid some of that by proper stretching before I ride.
It takes time and effort to get comfortable riding a bike at our age. The main thing is to get on the bike as often as possible, push yourself but don't overdo it. It's sort of a fine line between the two. A year from now you will look back at today and ask yourself what all the hubbub was about but for now it's all good.
It takes time and effort to get comfortable riding a bike at our age. The main thing is to get on the bike as often as possible, push yourself but don't overdo it. It's sort of a fine line between the two. A year from now you will look back at today and ask yourself what all the hubbub was about but for now it's all good.
Likes For Thomas15:
Likes For big john:
#14
Senior Member
Good for you! Welcome to the madness! Hopefully you'll soon become addicted.
Likes For davester: