Road bikes are just terrible. Please explain
12-23-22, 08:18 PM
#51
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12-23-22, 08:37 PM
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“As far as I can tell, there are mountain bikes and road bikes. Of course this isn't the case, but I'm not a big bicycle person.”
As far as I can tell, there is chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream. Of course, there are other flavors, but I’m not a big ice cream eater person.
As far as I can tell, there is chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream. Of course, there are other flavors, but I’m not a big ice cream eater person.
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12-23-22, 08:48 PM
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12-23-22, 09:00 PM
#56
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daggum 5 post newbie limit! I’m finally back. First of all: froyo, cause you get all the toppings.
I think I'm having trouble with the site. It seems I have to constantly log back in. i may have been logged out when I thought I posted it the first time.
I didn't mean for this post to be "Trollish." I've always thought that drop bar bikes felt so vastly different and wanted to make sure the point got across. I guess I succeeded. There could be a large mental component. The more vertical pedal/seat arrangement puts the seat higher and the ground father away. Aggressive lean. Brake leavers are out there in the next county. Now that I think of it, I may used to being able to stand with little weight on the hands. I just need riding time. It's a good size tho. I have the seat set all the way down which puts it a bit too low for pedaling but gets my feet closer to ground.
That seat is an enigma tho. I know it's designed to keep the pedaling muscles unencumbered, but it's just so, so tiny... focusing all the sitting weight in such a delicate area. I honestly don't see how it's possible.
I didn't mean for this post to be "Trollish." I've always thought that drop bar bikes felt so vastly different and wanted to make sure the point got across. I guess I succeeded. There could be a large mental component. The more vertical pedal/seat arrangement puts the seat higher and the ground father away. Aggressive lean. Brake leavers are out there in the next county. Now that I think of it, I may used to being able to stand with little weight on the hands. I just need riding time. It's a good size tho. I have the seat set all the way down which puts it a bit too low for pedaling but gets my feet closer to ground.
That seat is an enigma tho. I know it's designed to keep the pedaling muscles unencumbered, but it's just so, so tiny... focusing all the sitting weight in such a delicate area. I honestly don't see how it's possible.
12-23-22, 09:07 PM
#57
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I don't know that I have had sorbet, but I liked an orange sherbet during the summers when I was a kid. Dad didn't get it often, but it was a treat when he did. I'm not a fan of gelato.
I find I just kinda toughen up to it. Early in the season, I wear padded cycling shorts. By the end of the summer, my running shorts are fine.
I find I just kinda toughen up to it. Early in the season, I wear padded cycling shorts. By the end of the summer, my running shorts are fine.
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12-23-22, 09:13 PM
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This might be contributing to your discomfort. It might not make a huge difference, but saddle designers tend to assume the user will have proper leg extension.
Worth a look: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitnes...t-how-to-25379
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12-23-22, 09:17 PM
#59
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12-23-22, 09:42 PM
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This is so close. A big flat seat forces you to work in a very difficult manner.
A touring bicycle saddle allows your legs to move in a much more natural way. Putting a wide flat seat on there puts more strain on your arms and wrists.
If you start riding 50 miles a week or more you will probably find that a touring saddle makes a lot of sense.
But this tandem may not be for you. I once test drove a Lotus. All I needed to do to make it fit me was to move the seat back a couple of inches and add a little more space between the pedals.
Yeah, I would have needed to move the firewall back to move the seat, and the wheel wells were in the way of the pedals. I let someone else have the Lotus.
12-23-22, 10:06 PM
#61
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Regarding handlebars, it might interest you to know that most cyclists (at least recreational ones) spend the majority of their time on the "hoods", and the "tops" secondary with the "drops" reserved for descending and flats speed efforts.
Regarding seats, minimalist road seats reduce chafing and soreness on very long rides and are sometimes even designed to accommodate a more aggressive position. If you're not riding 100 miles at a time, you may in fact be more comfortable on a wider and/or cushier seat.
Finally, many people buy road bikes to emulate what they see on TV. Even if they don't use the drops at all and only ride short distances, they want the Tour de France style bike. Others want to ride fast and make the bike lighter, too, even if it means using a less comfortable position.
As mentioned above, there are "flat bar" road bikes, and if that's what makes you happy then go for it. Also don't be afraid to have a drop bar higher than your saddle. The rules of elitist snobs only apply if you want them to.
Regarding seats, minimalist road seats reduce chafing and soreness on very long rides and are sometimes even designed to accommodate a more aggressive position. If you're not riding 100 miles at a time, you may in fact be more comfortable on a wider and/or cushier seat.
Finally, many people buy road bikes to emulate what they see on TV. Even if they don't use the drops at all and only ride short distances, they want the Tour de France style bike. Others want to ride fast and make the bike lighter, too, even if it means using a less comfortable position.
As mentioned above, there are "flat bar" road bikes, and if that's what makes you happy then go for it. Also don't be afraid to have a drop bar higher than your saddle. The rules of elitist snobs only apply if you want them to.
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12-23-22, 11:21 PM
#62
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I've always thought that drop bar bikes felt so vastly different and wanted to make sure the point got across. I guess I succeeded. There could be a large mental component. The more vertical pedal/seat arrangement puts the seat higher and the ground father away. Aggressive lean. Brake leavers are out there in the next county. Now that I think of it, I may used to being able to stand with little weight on the hands. I just need riding time. It's a good size tho. I have the seat set all the way down which puts it a bit too low for pedaling but gets my feet closer to ground.
Yes, the brake levers are a bit further away but I’m wondering if your bike is too large for you. Even tandems need to have to proper fit for both riders.
That seat is an enigma tho. I know it's designed to keep the pedaling muscles unencumbered, but it's just so, so tiny... focusing all the sitting weight in such a delicate area. I honestly don't see how it's possible.
You are thinking of the saddle incorrectly. You don’t “sit” on a bicycle saddle. It’s there to support you but it’s not a Barcalounger. Optimally, you should almost hover over the saddle while riding. It takes some time and experience to learn how to unload the saddle while you ride but it’s worth the effort.
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12-24-22, 06:50 AM
#63
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Sit bone discomfort is natural while you're getting used to riding. The first couple of rides of the season will always be uncomfortable. With more regular riding, the pain should go away.
The one caveat is if you are getting any genital numbness, that should never be ignored.
The one caveat is if you are getting any genital numbness, that should never be ignored.
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12-24-22, 08:39 AM
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Seems like the OP needs to relearn fit/positioning. Start with the basics. Leg extension, position over the BB, and then worry about the bar height and reach.
We don't know what he's starting with and some of his posts indicate he needs help with all of it.
We don't know what he's starting with and some of his posts indicate he needs help with all of it.
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12-24-22, 08:43 AM
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I thought I posted this last night but see no mention of it on my account or an alert that it was deleted. I'll try again
As far as I can tell, there are mountain bikes and road bikes. Of course this isn't the case, but I'm not a big bicycle person. I'm comfortable on anything with straight, mountain bike type handlebars. Ive had a Schwinn, Raleigh, and Superior. No clue what type they were, but they could be called mountain bikes to the uneducated. I've ridden (tried to ride) road bikes- anything with "ram horn" handlebars. They were all terrible. The dimensions don't look much different than "mountain" bikes, but I just cant ride them. It seems almost as different as trying a unicycle.
The reason I ask is cause my wife got us a Burley Duet of the "ram horn" style. I've ridden tandems well in the past so I don't think it's that. The sporty seat is a big issue I think. I've always put on beefier, cushier seats. This one (common on all road bikes I've sat on) almost feels like there's no seat at all and I'm just sitting on the post.
Question: What should I modify to get this thing to fit? I'm incredibly comfortable on previously mentioned "mountain" bikes. I can wheelie, jump, and slide. It doesn't seem like I'd be so incredibly uncomfortable on any bike. I have zero ideas:
- handle bar drop? I had one bike (too small) set up with a solid 3" of drop
- Narrow handlebars? I can ride no handed, one handed, with a wrench instead of handlebars
There must be some geometry I'm not considering that's incredibly important. Pedal-seat vertical alignment? Fork rake?
As far as I can tell, there are mountain bikes and road bikes. Of course this isn't the case, but I'm not a big bicycle person. I'm comfortable on anything with straight, mountain bike type handlebars. Ive had a Schwinn, Raleigh, and Superior. No clue what type they were, but they could be called mountain bikes to the uneducated. I've ridden (tried to ride) road bikes- anything with "ram horn" handlebars. They were all terrible. The dimensions don't look much different than "mountain" bikes, but I just cant ride them. It seems almost as different as trying a unicycle.
The reason I ask is cause my wife got us a Burley Duet of the "ram horn" style. I've ridden tandems well in the past so I don't think it's that. The sporty seat is a big issue I think. I've always put on beefier, cushier seats. This one (common on all road bikes I've sat on) almost feels like there's no seat at all and I'm just sitting on the post.
Question: What should I modify to get this thing to fit? I'm incredibly comfortable on previously mentioned "mountain" bikes. I can wheelie, jump, and slide. It doesn't seem like I'd be so incredibly uncomfortable on any bike. I have zero ideas:
- handle bar drop? I had one bike (too small) set up with a solid 3" of drop
- Narrow handlebars? I can ride no handed, one handed, with a wrench instead of handlebars
There must be some geometry I'm not considering that's incredibly important. Pedal-seat vertical alignment? Fork rake?
12-24-22, 09:20 AM
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The more vertical pedal/seat arrangement puts the seat higher and the ground father away. Aggressive lean. Brake leavers are out there in the next county. Now that I think of it, I may used to being able to stand with little weight on the hands. I just need riding time. It's a good size tho. I have the seat set all the way down which puts it a bit too low for pedaling but gets my feet closer to ground.
12-24-22, 01:32 PM
#67
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We have a burly samba, which is basically the same bike except for the tire size. I found it really hard to get a good fit on it. The three frame sizes aren’t really that far apart. The stack was really low compared to a modern suspension mountain bike, and I had to put a pretty high riser bar on it to get them level with the saddle.
pdf link https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat_files/samba.pdf
pdf link https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat_files/samba.pdf
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12-24-22, 02:26 PM
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12-24-22, 03:22 PM
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12-24-22, 06:51 PM
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Just a replacement family member who was far less independently minded.
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
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12-24-22, 07:29 PM
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12-24-22, 11:08 PM
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
12-25-22, 12:03 AM
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