awkward on my Townie
05-30-15, 06:50 AM
#1
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awkward on my Townie
I think I've got the right forum, here. If not please let me know.
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
05-30-15, 07:06 AM
#2
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I see your bike is availbale in two sizes. Considering your height I sincerely hope you have the smaller size. I am wondering just how high you have the seat adjusted. I have read the "rules" of seat height adjustment. Many different ideas out there. A common one is the 109% rule meaning your seat should be adjusted to 109% of your inseam. I find the 109% rule to be close for me. However every time I ask someone working in a bike shop about seat height adjustment I get the same answer. Adjust your seat to a point JUST BEFORE your leg goes fully straight and your knee locks. You DO NOT want the seat so high that your leg goes fully straight.
My inseam is roughly 35". I have found the a seat height of 37" (measured from pedal to top center of the seat) seems to work well for me. 37" is just shy of 109% but is seems to work well for me.
My inseam is roughly 35". I have found the a seat height of 37" (measured from pedal to top center of the seat) seems to work well for me. 37" is just shy of 109% but is seems to work well for me.
I think I've got the right forum, here. If not please let me know.
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
05-30-15, 07:42 AM
#3
The Left Coast, USA
Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
In my sixties I've lost flexibility, that's for sure. Yoga, stretching, Pilates, etc. make a big difference. It's a use it or lose it game, take it seriously...it's about a lot more than getting on your bike gracefully.
In my sixties I've lost flexibility, that's for sure. Yoga, stretching, Pilates, etc. make a big difference. It's a use it or lose it game, take it seriously...it's about a lot more than getting on your bike gracefully.
05-30-15, 12:26 PM
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grazie to both of you...
I have the regular, not the tall Townie. I'm working on saddle height, but with a 28" inseam, it can only go so high. Or so low. Ha.
Yoga. Checked with a young professional friend; she highly recommended yoga, too. And some specific exercises to strengthen the core.
One thing I'm learning through this; I'm way to old to be riding stupid!
I have the regular, not the tall Townie. I'm working on saddle height, but with a 28" inseam, it can only go so high. Or so low. Ha.
Yoga. Checked with a young professional friend; she highly recommended yoga, too. And some specific exercises to strengthen the core.
One thing I'm learning through this; I'm way to old to be riding stupid!
05-30-15, 08:34 PM
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I think I've got the right forum, here. If not please let me know.
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
05-31-15, 06:21 PM
#6
Senior Member
I think I've got the right forum, here. If not please let me know.
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
Here's my "sort of" question. I have a 21d Townie. It is the right bike for me, but getting on and off are just...awkward. Because of my age and flexibility issues, I need this style. But I'm short. 5'2". That makes getting the seat position critical for best leg extension. It appears I don't have with the grace or the strength to stand on one pedal, then swing up into the seat. I have to get up on my toes and slide onto the seat first, then engage feet. That just really makes city riding tiresome, which is why I'm fine on the trails, where, once I'm on, I'm flying. As an aside, since the bike is relatively heavy, it doesn't take a lot when getting on and off to lose a bit of balance.
So. As I study this problem, I'm thinking I need to do specific exercises for side to side strength, if I say that correctly. Also perhaps trying yoga or something just to become better balanced. (Grace has never been my strong suit.) Has anybody had to deal with these issues?
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