Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Odd, Bouncy in the Drops?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Odd, Bouncy in the Drops?

Old 08-15-12, 09:19 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Odd, Bouncy in the Drops?

I can spin up to 115-120rpm while on the hoods or tops just fine. but anything over 105 rpms (sometimes 100rpm) in the drops I get all bouncy sally. I thought maybe I need a bit more practice at higher rpms in the drops, so I did just that. I still get bouncy?

Now its not really a problem as I dont ride at that rpms for the whole ride, its just more of an annoyance.

Am I doing something wrong? Or do I need to just not think about it, and it will go away?
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:21 AM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: in the foothills
Posts: 420
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Got rollers?
SCochiller is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:23 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
ravenmore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,276
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
try focusing on pulling up on the pedals more at higher rpm's.
ravenmore is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:23 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
no rollers and no trainer either
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:27 AM
  #5  
Foward Leaning Attitude
 
rithem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: RHODE-MF-ISLAND
Posts: 851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CJ C
no rollers and no trainer either
are you positive that your saddle height is correct and that the bike fits correctly regarding reach? 1 cm of mis-fitting can make a big difference in your performance.
rithem is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:29 AM
  #6  
Jet Jockey
 
Banzai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 4,941

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 382 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 25 Posts
Originally Posted by rithem
are you positive that your saddle height is correct and that the bike fits correctly regarding reach? 1 cm of mis-fitting can make a big difference in your performance.
Yup. Sounds like there's some saddle positioning issues here. Most shops tend to put saddles too high, and stretching for the pedals is more difficult in the drops, depending on flexibility. Therefore a rider in the drops will bounce/rock more for a saddle that's too high.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Banzai is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:37 AM
  #7  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: in the foothills
Posts: 420
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rithem
1 cm of mis-fitting can make a big difference in your performance.
You sound like my ex-wife.
SCochiller is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:39 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
MajorMantra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 1,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bouncing is usually a sign that your saddle is slightly high. It may be that getting in the drops is rotating your pelvis in such a way that your legs have to reach a little further. You could try adjusting the saddle height or angle to fix this.
MajorMantra is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:13 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Maybe my saddle is too high. I have never been professionally fitted, and still working on my fit by myself based on "feel". (I know, I know, once funds are available I may get a fitting)

I did have a lower saddle about 1-1.5cm lower and started to get IT band pain. Raised it now its gone. I cant recall if the bouncy in the drops was happening then?

I do pedal with my toes slightly pointed down. Been trying to break the habit. At first i thought it was because the saddle was to high so lowered it and like I said IT band started acting up.

I also thought it was because I was kneeing my fat self in the gut, so added spacers and raised the bars. Still was bouncy, but found my body liked the higher bars so i have stuck with it.
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:19 AM
  #10  
Faster but still slow
 
slowandsteady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978

Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Focus on pedaling in circles not up and down like a piston.
slowandsteady is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:41 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by slowandsteady
Focus on pedaling in circles not up and down like a piston.
I do one leg drills when I remember, come to think of it I never tried them in the drops.
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:46 AM
  #12  
Foward Leaning Attitude
 
rithem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: RHODE-MF-ISLAND
Posts: 851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by SCochiller
You sound like my ex-wife.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA !!!! guilty as charged
rithem is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:49 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
RoadTire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968

Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CJ C
... I get all bouncy sally...
That's a term I haven't heard since ... waayyyy to long ago.

Ok, back on topic - how about seat front-to-back positioning? Where might that fit in?


Sallie forth! It's a good day to ride. (ooops mixed up the metaphors)
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.

Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
RoadTire is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 12:50 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Front to back?

Last month I moved my saddle back about 2cm, but can say that I was bouncy in the drops before that. Me knee is behind KOPS. When I tried KOPS I would naturally just scoot my but back anyways to get behind KOPS, that just put me in a uncomfortable spot on the saddle.
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 12:57 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
MajorMantra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 1,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You're talking about big changes to saddle position. If you're experimenting, move the saddle by no more than about 2mm up/down and 5mm fore/aft at a time.

KOPS is a load of rubbish by the way - it is a rule of thumb that's not supported by actual evidence.
MajorMantra is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 01:02 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
ravenmore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,276
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Not sure how the saddle could have anything to do with it. When I first started riding I had the same problem. An ex pro that worked at the shop told me at high rpm's to work on pulling up more than pushing down. He told me the pushing at high rpms was causing the lifting action. He said pulling up would pull you down into the bike and counteract the bounce. I tried it and it worked for me - I was able to up my cadence by 10 - 20 rpm if I remember correctly. Anyway try it and let me know if it helps.
ravenmore is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 01:14 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
the weird thing that perplexes me is why I can be perfectly smooth while riding the hoods or tops at 120rpm but when in the drops its a whole different ball game?

Do you think that when I go into the drops I might exaggerate the rotation of my hips?
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 01:23 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
ravenmore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,276
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by CJ C
the weird thing that perplexes me is why I can be perfectly smooth while riding the hoods or tops at 120rpm but when in the drops its a whole different ball game?

Do you think that when I go into the drops I might exaggerate the rotation of my hips?
my best guess is that you are distributing your weight in the drops so that you have less weight/force over the pedals.
ravenmore is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 01:57 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by ravenmore
my best guess is that you are distributing your weight in the drops so that you have less weight/force over the pedals.
That sounds like another good reason.
Like I said its not really an issue more of an annoyance, and only a few times a ride will i get into the 120+ cadence and when I do its only for a short time.
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:51 PM
  #20  
Jet Jockey
 
Banzai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 4,941

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 382 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 25 Posts
Originally Posted by CJ C
Front to back?

Last month I moved my saddle back about 2cm, but can say that I was bouncy in the drops before that. Me knee is behind KOPS. When I tried KOPS I would naturally just scoot my but back anyways to get behind KOPS, that just put me in a uncomfortable spot on the saddle.
Moving the saddle 2cm back is the equivalent of raising it almost 7mm. The fact that you don't appear to understand this relationship makes your next comment all the more predictable.

Originally Posted by CJ C
the weird thing that perplexes me is why I can be perfectly smooth while riding the hoods or tops at 120rpm but when in the drops its a whole different ball game?

Do you think that when I go into the drops I might exaggerate the rotation of my hips?
Given what multiple posters here have said about saddle height and stretching to the pedals, I don't know why this is so perplexing still. Either use the advice here and in other sources and see where it takes you, or go have someone fit you.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Banzai is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 03:34 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
CJ C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919

Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Banzai
The fact that you don't appear to understand this relationship makes your next comment all the more predictable.
Either use the advice here and in other sources and see where it takes you, or go have someone fit you.
Yeah, ummm, I just posted the question this morning and still haven't gone home from work. Its kind of hard to test out the advice given when its only been about 6 hours since asked.


I thank everyone for the help, even you disgruntled Banzai.
CJ C is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 05:47 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Spoonrobot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,049
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1210 Post(s)
Liked 167 Times in 107 Posts
You need to adapt to the position. It's easier to spin fast when you're more upright because your hip flexors engage more. With training, spinning in the drops will be as easy as the other positions.
Spoonrobot is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 05:59 PM
  #23  
Voice of the Industry
 
Campag4life's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
You need to adapt to the position. It's easier to spin fast when you're more upright because your hip flexors engage more. With training, spinning in the drops will be as easy as the other positions.
I believe the answer is a combination of the above things many have responded to. Riding in the drops closes the hip angle. This changes the position of the pelvis on the saddle...sit bone touch down is more forward. Changing the pelvis interface to the saddle changes effective leg length. If the OP is close to full extension riding on the hoods with more open hip angle than closing the hip angle will cause the hips to rock...just like raising the seat too high with hands on the hoods.
To me, best saddle height is a balance between leg extension on the hoods and in the drops.
A further issue relates to how one rides in the drops. I would say that many better cyclists when trasistioning to the drops open their hip angle by riding the rivet aka scooting to the front of the saddle. This effectively lowers saddle height and opens the hip angle compensating for the addtional stretch to the drops.
Hope that helps.
Campag4life is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 07:34 PM
  #24  
Jet Jockey
 
Banzai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 4,941

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 382 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 25 Posts
Originally Posted by CJ C
Yeah, ummm, I just posted the question this morning and still haven't gone home from work. Its kind of hard to test out the advice given when its only been about 6 hours since asked.


I thank everyone for the help, even you disgruntled Banzai.
Sorry. That's the problem with asynchronous communication. And an occasional disgruntlement over some of the silliness on this board, and in real life.

My apologies.

Consider your saddle height, and the fact that the significant aft move you made does equal raising your saddle about 7mm...a fairly significant height change.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Banzai is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 09:05 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
ravenmore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,276
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Banzai
Moving the saddle 2cm back is the equivalent of raising it almost 7mm. The fact that you don't appear to understand this relationship makes your next comment all the more predictable.



Given what multiple posters here have said about saddle height and stretching to the pedals, I don't know why this is so perplexing still. Either use the advice here and in other sources and see where it takes you, or go have someone fit you.
dude, seriously? he probably hasn't had time to even ride his bike since he posted this. Suggestion - might want to switch to decaf.
ravenmore is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.