kmkurdone

I am riding my bike across the country this summer to raise money for cancer research with a group. (this is not the bad idea) They are based out of Baltimore, MD and I live in Los Angeles, CA. We did a group buy on the bikes we will be riding, and they are all waiting at a bike shop in MD. I have two bikes here in L.A.

Here is the bad idea. I know it would obviously be best to have the bike I will be riding here to train on before I ride 4k miles across the country. That being said, I am POOR (college student) and would have to pay to have it shipped here, fitted, and shipped back. If I leave it there, I would not have to pay any of these costs. I would also only get to ride the bike for about 3 days before we left on our trip across the country.

So what do you guys think? I know it would be better to have it out here, but I really am strapped for cash. Do you think I'd be okay riding on the bike I have here (not the same bike or brand btw), and just hoping on that bike for the trip? Thanks in advance!

Blue Jays

Hi kmkurdone-

Hopping on a bicycle for the first time and expecting to ride it across the United States is a guarantee for failure. This is no different than purchasing a brand new pair of running shoes to wear at a 26-mile marathon.

~ Blue Jays ~

jeffremer

What kind of bikes are they (the one you'll be riding and the one you are riding now)? It's probably fine to pick it up when you get there and spend a few minutes dialing it in if you are riding a similar style of bike - maybe get the guys at the shop to give you a quick fitting. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth to ship it home and back, but you'll need to make sure that you take it slow at first on the new bike and adjust things when needed.

kmkurdone

They are going to do a complete fit once I arrive in Baltimore (for free). Man.....I wish I wasn't so poor. haha

Grasschopper

Yea that just isn't a good plan at all...if you do that make sure they match your current bike position EXACTLY, saddle height, setback, reach, drop, crank length...everything needs to be exactly the same you you will be in for a world of hurt.

eippo1

Not the best idea,but if they're doing a complete fit (and providing you're riding with people that could help you to eye your fit as you go on the ride) I don't see any reason why you couldn't easily get away with it.

Hambone

I would throw on an adjustable stem, make sure I had a good tool kit at my disposal and BRING YOUR OWN SEAT!

Great minds think a like! vvv

LowCel 

One thing I would do is take my saddle and pedals. If nothing else I want my contact points to be familiar.

bvfrompc

For a more optimistic point of view,

As long as the seat (and you will want the same seat you have been training on), pedals (same pedals you have been training on), and handlebars (the touch points) are all in the same geometry, you would be fine, ya know, except for the beating your going to take anyhow.

Any differences in angles, distances, etc. are going to be amplified by the extreme miliage.

While the bike may handle differently becuase of the inherent differences in the frame style and geometry, the fit and your comfort is mostly due to your fit on the touch point set up.

roadfix

At least take your own saddle and pedals you're comfortable with.......and good luck on your trip!

Quijibo187

The only suggestion I would have is that if you have a saddle already that you would like to use on the trip, bring it with you, trying out a saddle might not be the best idea when you're in for the long haul. If you are gonna have some kind of support type vehicle, try the new one, if you don't like it, just swap it out.
other than that, you're getting fit so it should be pretty close, you can always make small adjustments on the way.


edit: Doh! my typing skills are lacking, a few people already beat me to it.

Keith99

To actually answer the question in the title I'd want to know a couple of things.

How much ground are you planning to cover each day

and

What level of support.

If you are talking 100 miles a day and minimal support I'd call it bloody stupid.

If 25 miles a day and support that has a sag wagon and a bike mechanic I'd say no problem (though taking your won saddle, pedals and shoes would still be smart).

In between hard to tell. How many bikes have you had and how quickly did you adjust?

MichaelW

I usually take my own saddle and pedals when I expect to rent a bike. If you like your current saddle, that is the one to use. I replaced an expensive Rolls on my tourer with a beaten up Specialized saddle from my commuter bike.

kmkurdone

Thanks guys, I appreciate the insight. Maybe I can just start a BF "Save kmkurdone's butt" fund.

We will have support vans, but no mechanics (beyond myself and a couple other cyclists knowledge which is limited). We will ride 70-100 miles a day.

I was already planning on taking my pedals, but am really not a huge fan of a my current saddle. Maybe I should spend the little money I have on a new saddle and not ship the bike?

oilman_15106

And how skilled are you or some of your mates in making those adjustments? Stuff always happens in the first couple hundered miles of owning a new bike.

Cyclaholic

Nah man, everyone is giving you bad avice. Forget about your own saddle - hey its just a saddle, they're all the same right? so long as its small and triangular it works just fine, dont worry about it.

And for the sort of distance you're doing you have to get as low and aero a position as possible. The greater the seat-to-bar drop the more aero you'll be so you'll have less wind resistance and finish every day feeling much better. The skinniest tires pumped up to the highest possible pressures will help in this regard also.

If you get a new bike get the lightest and stiffest frame you can find because its more efficient, the less wheel spokes the better.... and don't adjust anything at all - it was designed and built by specialist engineers that know more than you so it must be right.

Forget about taking any tools or spares and never fill your one waterbottle more than 50% because you want to avoid carrying weight. Just look at the pro racers, they don't carry tools, and they're professionals!




Now go do the opposite of all the above.

Blue Jays

Hi All-

The adjustable stem is an excellent idea. My concern was for fitment problems that don't have an easy solution...like a top tube that is too long or too short. If the intention is to ride 100 miles per day, everyday, until the journey is complete...perfect fit is essential. That will prevent numbness, blisters, muscle pain, and a bunch of other things that could knock one out of the event. I'd want the bike all dialed-in, coupled with a fresh overhaul by my trusty mechanic before departure.

Personally, I would check with UPS/Yellow Freight/FedEx to determine costs on their cheapest shipping methods since you would have the advantage of four months of saddle time on the bike. I call it "cheap insurance" and one wouldn't have to invest in a variety of adjustable components.

~ Blue Jays ~

kmkurdone

Honestly, not that skilled. Let me throw this idea out there. What if I had the bike shipped here, but didn't get it fitted by a local shop, just did the best I could. Then when I got to Baltimore, I could have it fitted right there? Cause the fitting is gonna a pretty big expense if I have it done here. I know that none of these are ideal solutions, but I don't really have any other options. Thanks again for the imput.

Carbonfiberboy 

Biggest thing is find a saddle right now that you like and take it with you. Find a bike shop that will let you try-and-take-back. From what I vaguely remember from being that young, a change in bike fit and so forth won't be all that important. Do measure your saddle height (straight line from center of bottom pedal axle, while lined up with the down tube, to saddle contact point). They'll probably fit your new bike better than your present bike anyway.

AndrewP

Get there a few days early, and do some rides to fine tune the fitting.

DScott

Geez, most seem to forget that when you're that young, strong and idealistic, you survive most things. Even if the bike doesn't fit you perfectly, you'll be OK.

FWIW, I'd get the new saddle here, ride it LOTS with your current bike, and spend the three days there in dialing in the fit. Consider doing daily rides of at least 20 miles or so, and the fit issues will become apparent. Take the tools to adjust as needed, Zinn's bike mechanic book, and at least one portable computer to keep us all up to date on the progress of your trip!

Have fun storming the castle!!

kmkurdone

If you guys want to know more about the trip that I'm doing, you can either PM me, or look at-

https://www.hopkins4k.org

gfrance

Also, don't forget your clothes!! Make sure you have enough riding shorts/bibs that you are used to.

Remember this is not a race. You'll be covering a lot of miles, but not at a super fast tempo. You need comfort and reliablility more than anything. Good shoes, gloves, shorts, saddle, etc. These I think are even more important than the perfect fit.

cmh

I think you are young enough to take it, but getting the saddle shipped out to you so you can get used to it in advance is a fine idea. Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Keith99

Ok the only thing I found re the traveling conditions is:

Our nightly stops in churches and community centers also provide great opportunities for us to share our experiences with our gracious hosts.

Back to the big question, any vehicular support? How good is the best mechanic? If I were doing this with the crowd I toured with a couple of times it would be no problem. One of the guys rebuilt a wheel for me after a pothole hit where the local shop could not. But if you don't have that kind of person in hte group and no support you could be in big trouble. Also if carrying everything that is one more thing you have to get used to.