Saving Your Knees
07-31-13 | 01:53 AM
#51
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At 5' 11", for somebody to be on a 18" frame (46cm), they would have to use a freakishly long stem. They could not have long legs or the seatpost would not go high enough. I'm 6' and a 56cm frame will typically just barely allow me to ride it if I raise the seatpost right to the max. A 56cm frame is a pretty good size for most people around 5' 11". To ride a 46cm frame....well...I say no. No way is somebody 5' 11" riding a 18" frame. Pictures and video or it didn't happen 
. And if it did....BLOW MY MIND (said like Kramer).
You don't need to know the inseam to know that a 46cm bike would only allow the seat post to be raised enough to accomodate a 5' 11" person -ONLY IF THEY HAD SHORT LEGS. My wife is 5' 7" and rides a 50 or 52cm bike (I forget which). For somebody 5' 11" to ride a 46cm bike....they would HAVE to have short legs, or they might sit way down low, I guess. Put a stingray seat on it. Then their long torso would require a crazy long stem. So I just don't see it and think the OP simply must be somehow mistaken. Perhaps the bike is not 18". Maybe he's not 5' 11". lol
. And if it did....BLOW MY MIND (said like Kramer). You don't need to know the inseam to know that a 46cm bike would only allow the seat post to be raised enough to accomodate a 5' 11" person -ONLY IF THEY HAD SHORT LEGS. My wife is 5' 7" and rides a 50 or 52cm bike (I forget which). For somebody 5' 11" to ride a 46cm bike....they would HAVE to have short legs, or they might sit way down low, I guess. Put a stingray seat on it
. Then their long torso would require a crazy long stem. So I just don't see it and think the OP simply must be somehow mistaken. Perhaps the bike is not 18". Maybe he's not 5' 11". lolI have to laugh about the inseam comments -- I am 5'11" and Machka is 5'5" yet we have almost identical inseams.
07-31-13 | 07:39 AM
#52
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
At 5' 11", for somebody to be on a 18" frame (46cm), they would have to use a freakishly long stem. They could not have long legs or the seatpost would not go high enough. I'm 6' and a 56cm frame will typically just barely allow me to ride it if I raise the seatpost right to the max. A 56cm frame is a pretty good size for most people around 5' 11". To ride a 46cm frame....well...I say no. No way is somebody 5' 11" riding a 18" frame. Pictures and video or it didn't happen . And if it did....BLOW MY MIND (said like Kramer).
You don't need to know the inseam to know that a 46cm bike would only allow the seat post to be raised enough to accomodate a 5' 11" person -ONLY IF THEY HAD SHORT LEGS. My wife is 5' 7" and rides a 50 or 52cm bike (I forget which). For somebody 5' 11" to ride a 46cm bike....they would HAVE to have short legs, or they might sit way down low, I guess. Put a stingray seat on it. Then their long torso would require a crazy long stem. So I just don't see it and think the OP simply must be somehow mistaken. Perhaps the bike is not 18". Maybe he's not 5' 11". lol
. And if it did....BLOW MY MIND (said like Kramer). You don't need to know the inseam to know that a 46cm bike would only allow the seat post to be raised enough to accomodate a 5' 11" person -ONLY IF THEY HAD SHORT LEGS. My wife is 5' 7" and rides a 50 or 52cm bike (I forget which). For somebody 5' 11" to ride a 46cm bike....they would HAVE to have short legs, or they might sit way down low, I guess. Put a stingray seat on it
. Then their long torso would require a crazy long stem. So I just don't see it and think the OP simply must be somehow mistaken. Perhaps the bike is not 18". Maybe he's not 5' 11". lol
07-31-13 | 02:40 PM
#53
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I am 5' 10", the bike has 26" tires and an 18" frame,
This especially applies to bikes with sloping top tubes that result in a shorter seat tube (so-called compact frames).
07-31-13 | 03:13 PM
#54
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He's talking about a mountain bike frame. One generally rides a much smaller mtb than a road bike and mtb seat posts can be 400mm long.
07-31-13 | 04:14 PM
#56
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07-31-13 | 04:54 PM
#57
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
I am quoting myself from post #4 . Actually it's more like 5' 9.5". I just checked and I have 2"-3" of but...... , this is my type of frame. It angles downward toward the seat and then has another short bar that angles up about 3" from the frame to the top of the seat tube so I guess that rule isn't written in stone. Actually I think it makes the frame look cooler this way. It has rear suspension too, I don't know if that's why they designed it this way.
The idea is to get the top tube as low as possible to allow the rider room to move around while riding through rough ground, jumping, etc.This is part of the reason mtb seatposts are so long. The short bar that angles up is to stiffen/strengthen the seat tube where it joins the post.
07-31-13 | 06:07 PM
#58
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
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From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
A wrist watch will put you in the ballpark. It really doesn't take long to find your comfortable rhythm and you'll get more used to the faster cadence soon enough.
Last edited by Zinger; 07-31-13 at 07:38 PM.
07-31-13 | 07:48 PM
#59
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: SE Mich.
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Dolce Sport Compact, .. Novara 2013 Madrona 29'er, Trek 520 2012, Surly Pugsley fatbike 2014
I will be 63 in three weeks and have suffered bad knees since I was 19 from a horse injury. The left knee has had two surgeries, the second was a reconstruction 1977. The right knee is tired from years of compensating. I too just got back into biking with a REI Madrona Mtb and a Specialized Dolce Sport Compact 48cm. I use the Mountain bike for grocery trips and the road bike for group rides. I have *worked* to build up my leg muscles over the past two months to compensate for the weak knees, and can easily do a 15 mile ride. I am now looking forward to longer rides.
I also do exercises to build the muscles at home. A really good one is to get on the floor on my knees, feet behind me and lean back & hold.
I also do exercises to build the muscles at home. A really good one is to get on the floor on my knees, feet behind me and lean back & hold.
08-01-13 | 01:31 PM
#60
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I don't see any mention in your post about the distance and intensity of your rides. After 30+ years off the bike, you need to work back into it gradually, to give the muscles and especially the joints time to get used to it. Don't go too hard or too far at first. Slowly increase the distance or time of your rides, and intensity of the effort. Give your body time to adapt and adjust to the demands of cycling. Good luck.
I am looking into the "toe out" possibility. It looks like my feet are pointed out too far. So I am going to really check into this because it could help me just in cycling but in walking to. I use a inversion table for my back and neck and that helps a lot because my posture isn't the greatest but I hadn't considered my feet. I can see how pedal extensions help keep your feet in line.
Man, riding a bike wasn't this complicated when I was young bugger (of course riding that 10 speed rode bike without proper set-up then probably didn't help) .
08-01-13 | 02:46 PM
#61
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
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From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
I think that was my main mistake when I started, too much too fast and not doing right what I did do.
I am looking into the "toe out" possibility. It looks like my feet are pointed out too far. So I am going to really check into this because it could help me just in cycling but in walking to. I use a inversion table for my back and neck and that helps a lot because my posture isn't the greatest but I hadn't considered my feet. I can see how pedal extensions help keep your feet in line.
I am looking into the "toe out" possibility. It looks like my feet are pointed out too far. So I am going to really check into this because it could help me just in cycling but in walking to. I use a inversion table for my back and neck and that helps a lot because my posture isn't the greatest but I hadn't considered my feet. I can see how pedal extensions help keep your feet in line.
If you don't ride with clipless or cleats of any kind, Here are some nice wide touring pedals for guys with big feet and/or toe-out. You could use toe clips with those too for faster cadence riding.
Last edited by Zinger; 08-01-13 at 02:49 PM.
08-01-13 | 04:51 PM
#63
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Many riders have a natural tendency to ride toe-in or toe-out, and trying to artificially correct that with clips-and-straps or clipless might lead to trouble you don't need at the moment. In fact, most riders with toe-in or toe-out ride that way even with clipless pedals.
Get used to riding the bike at a higher cadence first on platform pedals. One of the tendencies for people either new to the game, or coming back, is that they want a fast progression.
Take it easy, and change things one at a time after you have spent time with the current set-up.
You might consider using a pair of shoes with a harder, less flexible sole, however.
08-01-13 | 05:51 PM
#64
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Take it easy, and change things one at a time....
You might consider using a pair of shoes with a harder, less flexible sole, however.
Many riders have a natural tendency to ride toe-in or toe-out,
Researching all of this stuff during the week while I'm not riding is helping a lot. I'm not just going out and trying every little idea I get or buy every gadget on the market, I am trying to be thorough and weed through all if it.
08-01-13 | 06:05 PM
#65
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 399
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
To be honest, I suggest you leave any thoughts of foot retention alone for the moment.
Many riders have a natural tendency to ride toe-in or toe-out, and trying to artificially correct that with clips-and-straps or clipless might lead to trouble you don't need at the moment. In fact, most riders with toe-in or toe-out ride that way even with clipless pedals.
Get used to riding the bike at a higher cadence first on platform pedals. One of the tendencies for people either new to the game, or coming back, is that they want a fast progression.
Take it easy, and change things one at a time after you have spent time with the current set-up.
You might consider using a pair of shoes with a harder, less flexible sole, however.
Many riders have a natural tendency to ride toe-in or toe-out, and trying to artificially correct that with clips-and-straps or clipless might lead to trouble you don't need at the moment. In fact, most riders with toe-in or toe-out ride that way even with clipless pedals.
Get used to riding the bike at a higher cadence first on platform pedals. One of the tendencies for people either new to the game, or coming back, is that they want a fast progression.
Take it easy, and change things one at a time after you have spent time with the current set-up.
You might consider using a pair of shoes with a harder, less flexible sole, however.
So if the OP isn't riding with any kind of cleats now than that probably isn't the problem anyway.
Last edited by Zinger; 08-01-13 at 08:04 PM.
08-01-13 | 08:15 PM
#66
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 399
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Hmmmmm, that's one of the things this lady says. I just found this. This video explains a lot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh0leyXz840.
Researching all of this stuff during the week while I'm not riding is helping a lot. I'm not just going out and trying every little idea I get or buy every gadget on the market, I am trying to be thorough and weed through all if it.
Perfect fit is essential in cycling.
Last edited by Zinger; 08-01-13 at 08:24 PM.
08-02-13 | 01:30 AM
#67
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 399
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Wow
I just watched this video that the OP posted and it's very good. I even learned something about seat positioning fore and aft. I would recommend it to anyone asking about bike fit.
08-02-13 | 02:15 PM
#68
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I even learned something about seat positioning fore and aft.
08-04-13 | 02:28 PM
#69
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I didn't ride today my day off because of feeling under the weather but I went to the book store, Barnes and Noble, and found this..https://www.gaiam.com/on/demandware.s...FeoWMgodL1AAbg, I bought one.
I was thinking, mainly since I watched the "Proper Bicycle Fitting" I mentioned here and checking into pedal clips and the like, that one thing I might be doing wrong is where I am putting my feet on the pedals. As I just sat on my bike at home and put my foot on the pedal I see I am placing it with the middle (arch) of my foot at the front edge of the pedal which puts my heel at the back. I guess I figured "stomping" the pedal that way was ok. I have so much to unlearn from when I rode as a kid, it looks like I had a bunch of bad riding habits.
I was thinking, mainly since I watched the "Proper Bicycle Fitting" I mentioned here and checking into pedal clips and the like, that one thing I might be doing wrong is where I am putting my feet on the pedals. As I just sat on my bike at home and put my foot on the pedal I see I am placing it with the middle (arch) of my foot at the front edge of the pedal which puts my heel at the back. I guess I figured "stomping" the pedal that way was ok. I have so much to unlearn from when I rode as a kid, it looks like I had a bunch of bad riding habits.
08-04-13 | 02:50 PM
#70
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: 5200' Boulder, CO Area
Bikes: Specialized 6Fattie, Parlee Z5, Cannondale SuperX
+1 +1 I've had arthroscopic surgery on both knees and diagnosed arthritis in my right knee. When I told my orthopedic surgeon I was planning on doing weight lifting he quickly responded "Do NOT do any heavy knee exercises; squats, quad extensions, lunges. It will accelerate your arthritis....permanently"
08-04-13 | 03:02 PM
#72
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,708
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From: 5200' Boulder, CO Area
Bikes: Specialized 6Fattie, Parlee Z5, Cannondale SuperX
08-04-13 | 04:52 PM
#73
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From: Toronto (again) Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Old Bike: 1975 Raleigh Delta, New Bike: 2004 Norco Bushpilot
08-04-13 | 07:30 PM
#74
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Eugene Oregon
Bikes: 2011 Madone 5.2
A excellent video from the University of California Television describing a biomechanical bike fit. This was just released on July 25 of this year. Kinda long, but great information on fitting your bike to you, taking into account your physical abilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxNznrlRXGU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxNznrlRXGU
08-05-13 | 01:41 PM
#75
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bakeoh99, thanks. I started watching it, it looks good. Ya it's a little long but hopefully it will have that much more info in it.
Thanks again to every one who has contributed to this thread. I have learned a lot. And I have a lot more questions so I can keep learning.
Thanks again to every one who has contributed to this thread. I have learned a lot. And I have a lot more questions so I can keep learning.