How very cool. There's nothing quite like rediscovering bicycling, no? Don't worry too much about getting it all perfect- there will be little aches and pains and there's no reason to push yourself too hard. Just get out and ride as many days as the weather permits.

Sore butt initially is normal.

Go easy on raising the seat. I'd raise it about 1/4 inch, try that for awhile, and raise it another 1/4 inch if you think that you need to. Once you're close (and it sounds like you are) big changes are bad.

If you have someone you trust to ride with try this: After you've had a few miles to warm up, have your co-rider observe you while you are riding. If you are rocking your hips from side-to-side, lower your saddle. If you're dropping your heels below the pedals, raise your saddle a little.

Looks Like I have to agree with the last two posters. Only thing I would add is Nutrition- You have enough milage now for a Pie stop. Find a cafe- prop the bike up so you can see it and stare it out.

If the salesman sold you a bike where you can not firmly plant your feet on the ground while seated on the saddle he did not set up the bike correctly. If it is still the case after adjusting the saddle height correctly for your leg length (knee just slightly bent at the maximum extension) then he sold you a bike with too large a frame. Appears to be someone more interested in making a sale than meeting the customer's needs correctly. I was going to suggest you look at used bike which is heresy for someone who long ago worked in a bike shop. There are many quality used bikes for sale. Often they have may have had very little use by the first owner. It helps if you can recognize a quality bike from a junk bike if you chose that route. Now days you can go online and get specifications, owner's reviews, and original prices for most of the common used bikes.

I'll be 69 yo Saturday and I was 290 in 2008 when I started riding. I bought a hybrid Trek and loved it until I started trying to ride with a group and went up to a road bike. I kept trying to find a better saddle and my friend who has been riding a long time kept asking me "how many miles I had ridden?" "It's not the saddle it's your butt" Sure nuff I'm down about 40lbs and last Saturday I rode 70 miles for my "birthday ride" and my legs were sore but my butt didn't hurt and I can't wait til tomorrow when I can ride again:)

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I do not own a bike that I can stand flat footed with both feet on the ground while seated. One foot or both on tiptoes, yes, but not both feet flat. Except for a foot forward design like a Townie or a recumbent, I don't see how anyone could do that with a saddle high enough for good leg extension.

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What VT said makes no sense - I read this several times and don't get it. I agree with you BluesDawg, but I suspect we both missed something in the translation.

Same here. I've never owned a bike where I could do that. On tip toes. And it doesn't matter what kind of bike, road, hybrid, comfort, MTB. The only bike where it would even be possible would be something like a BMX bike.

To the OP. Don't forget hydration. There's a ton of good advice in BF on that topic. Make sure you drink before you're thirsty and if you're going to be on the road for more than an hour water won't be enough.

That sounds like a cracking choice. Enjoy, and ride the tyres off it!

Some discussion here about saddle height. I think it's accepted as normal that you need to scootch forward off the saddle before putting a foot down at a stop, and that the full leg extension will be 'heel on the pedal when it's fullest down and butt in the saddle' so you have a little knee bend in normal riding when each pedal is at the lowest.

So, it's normal not to be able to come to a stop without edging forward off the saddle before you try to put a foot down

Welcome to the tribe fsrgp. You've gotted good advice here and your LBS has also served you well with that Marin.

Thanks, Well, I couldn't ride last night, I had to work until 11:00 p.m. Probably good, give my sore butt a little rest. I will be going out this evening. I am glad to hear that raising the seat from where it is now is o.k. I can put the ball of both feet firmly on the ground now, I will follow the advice given and only raise it 1/4" at a time till it seems right. I'd like to know more about the hydration plan, my LBS sells some tablets in a tube that they say is the best thing, but, they are expensive. Is there a cheap option?

If you aren't going far and hard, and if it's not stinking hot, all you need is water. For more demanding rides or if you are sweating profusely, you need to replace electrolytes. I favor Powerade or Gatorade, but some people buy tablets/powder and add it to their water. If you keep your eye out for sales (lots of 2-for-1 deals at gas station minimarts this time of year), Powerade isn't too expensive. Can't say I love the taste or the colors, but it isn't so bad.

Most all of us have one or two water bottle cages on our seat tubes and or down tubes. A few gulps/sips every 10-15 minutes, at traffic lights or while riding and we're good.

If you ride firmly on the bike and you are new to cycling- You will know when you are thirsty. By that time it is too late as you will be de-hydrated.

I take several new riders out and I always have to tell them to drink. I make a point of stopping about 10 minutes into a ride and making them drink. As they gain more experience- they start sipping as they go. Not much at a time but frequently. I have a rule of 1 bottle per hour when riding but hot weather or high exertion and that will be at least 1 Litre per hour.

You can get additives that are protein based or Carb based and probably lots of others but the one to get is one that is Isotonic. It has essential salts in it that aid thirst quenching and the salts "Supposedly" stop cramps. They come in all flavours so find one that you like.

That's great! Enjoy the ride.

Huh? I've never been told that by anyone in any bike shop, including high-end shops that have Retul and Serotta fit systems.

Same here. If I need to stand flat-footed when at a stop, I have to hop down off the saddle. Otherwise it's one tip-toe or another.

I sweat a lot so the "tablets in a tube" (Endurolytes) work for me. I go by the following rules:
- Any ride under an hour where I'm not going to be sweating buckets, I'll use water otherwise it's an electrolyte replacement.
- Any ride over an hour, I'll use an electrolyte replacement. Gatorade and Powerade have more sugar in them than I like so I'll use Endurolytes. They are kind of expensive but they've solved my cramping issues.
- I always drink before I get thirsty ( repeat it to yourself like a mantra)
- I always make sure I eat something every hour. Or I'll bonk for sure.

Some people make their own. I've used slightly dilute orange juice with a pinch of salt with some success as well but I've found that things like Endurolytes work a lot better.

A couple of homebrew suggestions:

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/art...k-drink-14197/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/heal...ss/4289704.stm

Sounds like a Hybrid (aka comfort bike) is your best bet at this point. I agree with those who said that there is little difference between models when you are buying an entry-level comfort bike and that the bike shop is way more important than the brand. Along those lines, go to a shop that's been there for a while and that uses a professional bike fitting system. Pay the extra hundred plus for a good fitting. It will make WAY more difference than disc brakes, lighter weight, more gears, etc. Bike fitting, both the science and art of it, has improved a lot over the last few decades. Everyone's body is unique and there's much more to bike fitting than seat height and making sure your knee is behind the pedal axel. The best bike in the world is the one you like to ride and you won't like any bike for long if it doesn't fit you well.

Not sure what tube you are referring to but the ones I get are NUUN, I have used them for several years and they work great. I only need them when it is hot and I will be out for a few hours or more. I have hear people use salt tablets that you buy in drug store, they are cheap. It I did that I would also take some TUMs (Calcium Chloride) and come potassium to go along with it, that way you are getting a more complete mix of electrolytes. If you are really interested in experimenting, I recall a lot of running forums discuss this topic regularly - do a search.

I wouldn't mess with that without a lot of research. Severe K/Na imbalances can cause heart arrhythmia.

Rode about 7 miles last night but can't tonight - cold and wet. When not riding, I'm on this site or looking at some bike site. I just bought a bike, but twice a day I still go through the most recent adds on Craigslist. Is there something wrong with me? Should I be seeking help, a group perhaps? Is there such a thing as B.A.A?
I've been trying to figure out the hydration thing, think I'll just go with the NUUN tablets when I get a bit more stamina and can ride longer, just water for now (I do sweat alot when I ride).
I raised the seat 3/4" (1/4" at a time) and it seems about right, I can still touch the ground with my tip toes while on the seat, although, it's easier to slip off the front of the seat and put both feet on the ground when I stop.
I'm curious about the length of the crank arms. It seems to me possibly going with a longer crank would solve part of the seat height issue and provide more leverage (I have long legs - 36" inseam). I obviously know nothing about this, cost, practicality, possible resulting problems, but, it is a concept I've thought about. I'd be interested in any info on this as you all have given me great advice on my other questions.

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Never heard of this requirement. Certainly doesn't fit my bikes. What is your reference/source for this bike fit info? My expert LBS fitter would be most interested!!

7 miles...good for you. Soon it will be 10 and then....and then...

About the crank arms, don't overthink all of this yet. It seems that you have a bike that is quite suitable for your current purposes. You've got lots of miles to go before you'll know your abilities, needs, and preferences. For now, just ride, ride, and ride.

It should be a pretty nice weekend for riding.

Could be so, but maybe not. During my recent back problems (resulting in a fusion), my most comfortable position was on a road bike. As TSL and others mention, the upright position puts all the weight on one spot - your vertebrae lined up like ducks. A "laid out" position puts the weight in other places, actually reducing the pressure on the back, and even stretching the back muscles. However, this varies markedly with individuals, and may not apply at all to you. The only way to find out is to give it a try, either way.

Instead of a "comfort" bike, consider a low-end entry level mtn bike. Great flexibility in use, great gearing for a beginner, and you will keep it forever, even as you add more bikes. For example, Specialized Hardrock or equivalent.

Good luck and have fun.