Biking '10 part 2

[My name is Mudd]

IAny suggestions for a better seat that wont break the bank?

- See if you can find a shop that has test-ride saddles...one person's dream saddle is another's torture rack...sometimes.

- Remember that this is not a couch or bar stool, in that you don't actually sit on it; you essentially straddle it and it holds you up. With that in mind, there are a number of nice ones out there; I suggest WTB's saddles to newer riders as they're not terribly expensive and have as close to a 'generic' shape as possible right now.

- Before you dump serious coin on a new one (not at all hard to do), you might want to have a quick 'n dirty saddle-height calculation done for the existing one. Also, make sure that the saddle is level. Those two points could just fix the issue you have now, and even if you do get a new one you should still have the height calculated and the saddle level.

 

[anyonefortennis]

I just bought a bike yesterday. Its an old Trek 1400.

I went for a 13 mile ride today and have decided the seat is pretty (very) uncomfortable. Any suggestions for a better seat that wont break the bank?

If $75 or so is in your budget, the specialized avatar is always a good place to start imo.

Agree on the comments regarding saddles being a personal thing. I personally don't like "whale tail" saddles so that takes out about 75% of the WTB line out of the equation.

 

[Adam Barkley]

If $75 or so is in your budget, the specialized avatar is always a good place to start imo.

Agree on the comments regarding saddles being a personal thing. I personally don't like "whale tail" saddles so that takes out about 75% of the WTB line out of the equation.

I'll take it to my local shop and see what they offer and whether or not the bike is adjusted properly for me. I read somewhere today that the bike isn't adjusted properly if you have to crane your neck up to look forward. I definitely had to crane mine to look forward if that is the case.

I paid two hundred for the bike, but I'd be willing to spend about that much if it made the riding tolerable.

 

[bassteban]

Adam, like a bass, a bike will work MUCH better if setup properly; unlike a bass(to some extent)one size does NOT fit all; a way-wrongly sized bike will simply not work for more than a couple of city blocks at a time.

 

[Adam Barkley]

The guy at the bike shop said I needed a 54 cm and what I've measured this is a 53-54 cm frame.

I hope a setup is all this thing needs.

 

[Ziltoid]

Thanks?

I did not thief that idea from you

Actually I checked and my local specialized dealer ain't BG certified.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I hope a setup is all this thing needs.

You're on the right size frame, for starts...that's half the battle right there. A basic fitting will put your saddle at the right height/setback, and most likely will give you a recommended stem length. If you have clipless shoes/pedals, the fitting should also place the cleats correctly on the shoes, with the cleat center-line directly under the ball of your foot.

Some of the best money you can spend in a shop is for a fitting, a good general tuneup on the bike itself, and a good helmet. Let me repeat that last bit, broken down into simple steps...

1) BUY A HELMET!

2) WEAR IT!

I site as an example an old boss of mine who didn't wear his helmet on a simple, around the block test-ride of a bike in for repair; when he didn't come back after 30 minutes or so (on a ride that should have taken about five minutes at most), Matt went looking for him and found Jon unconscious in the middle of the street, bleeding from his forehead and the bike on top of him. To this day, Jon has absolutely no memory of what happened; he also no longer has either a sense of smell or taste. He's also real damn lucky that is wasn't any worse than that.

Buy a helmet. Wear it. [/rant]

 

[spade2you]

Agreed on the helmets. Fast or slow, rookie or pro, crashes are only a matter of time. Collar bones heal, but head injuries aren't as forgiving.

As for the seat, no matter what science is out there, a lot of it is trial and error. The shop will need to do a fitting to set the seat post at the correct height for the saddle or the perfect saddle won't even work.

 

[bassteban]

The guy at the bike shop said I needed a 54 cm and what I've measured this is a 53-54 cm frame.

I hope a setup is all this thing needs.

It can't hurt, other than a small investment- although if they sold you the bike or if you are a frequent customer, they really ought to be willing to adjust the basic saddle height/angle, etc. Keep in mind 2 or more different-manufacturer's 54cm(or any particular size)frames can vary quite a bit in geometry- I am very long in the torso & arms; I'm happiest on a bike w/a very long top tube & stem. My Name is Mudd has fairly opposite proportions & likes a much tighter rider compartment, although IIRC he's actually taller then me. Also, IMO/IME a road bike's fit is more critical than a MTB- or at least fit issues will show themselves more quickly as you'll typically be in the same position for longer periods of time; on a MTB you usually shift position for climbs, negotiating trails, etc.

 

[Ziltoid]

Shorts, jersey, gloves, sunglasses, clipless, shoes, a repair kit in your jersey/saddle bag are nice things to have to, especially the repair kit.

 

[bassteban]

Shorts, jersey, gloves, sunglasses, clipless, shoes, a repair kit in your jersey/saddle bag are nice things to have to, especially the repair kit.

Add a small helping of TP or wet wipes. Priceless.

 

[Ziltoid]

Idk, I've never had the poop urge when I was on a bike, after is another story but never on, and I rarely stop during my rides, and if I do it's usually very quick.

edit: Oh and the best tip I've had so far: Always drink a glass of water before leaving on your bike (Not sure who it was but I think it was in this thread).

 

[bassteban]

Well, I'm old- when the urge hits, there's often no negotiating. It's here & now. I have not needed my emergency sanitary kit in years, but I'll try to always have it for any rides beyond a city block in length. Wet wipes are also good for non-poop work.

 

[Ziltoid]

My theory is that my saddle compacts it so I don't feel it.

 

[Adam Barkley]

You're on the right size frame, for starts...that's half the battle right there. A basic fitting will put your saddle at the right height/setback, and most likely will give you a recommended stem length. If you have clipless shoes/pedals, the fitting should also place the cleats correctly on the shoes, with the cleat center-line directly under the ball of your foot.

Some of the best money you can spend in a shop is for a fitting, a good general tuneup on the bike itself, and a good helmet. Let me repeat that last bit, broken down into simple steps...

1) BUY A HELMET!

2) WEAR IT!

I site as an example an old boss of mine who didn't wear his helmet on a simple, around the block test-ride of a bike in for repair; when he didn't come back after 30 minutes or so (on a ride that should have taken about five minutes at most), Matt went looking for him and found Jon unconscious in the middle of the street, bleeding from his forehead and the bike on top of him. To this day, Jon has absolutely no memory of what happened; he also no longer has either a sense of smell or taste. He's also real damn lucky that is wasn't any worse than that.

Buy a helmet. Wear it. [/rant]

It doesn't have cleats/clips I guess, just regular pedals.

A pump, helmet, and seat will be purchased tomorrow. Possibly some of those stretchy shorts with the padding.

 

[Adam Barkley]

It can't hurt, other than a small investment- although if they sold you the bike or if you are a frequent customer, they really ought to be willing to adjust the basic saddle height/angle, etc. Keep in mind 2 or more different-manufacturer's 54cm(or any particular size)frames can vary quite a bit in geometry- I am very long in the torso & arms; I'm happiest on a bike w/a very long top tube & stem. My Name is Mudd has fairly opposite proportions & likes a much tighter rider compartment, although IIRC he's actually taller then me. Also, IMO/IME a road bike's fit is more critical than a MTB- or at least fit issues will show themselves more quickly as you'll typically be in the same position for longer periods of time; on a MTB you usually shift position for climbs, negotiating trails, etc.

I got the bike off of Craigslist.com, but I was going to bring the bike to the shop to have them critique the setup and seat. I still feel that ride when I sit today so hopefully the seat is the culprit.

 

[My name is Mudd]

My Name is Mudd has fairly opposite proportions & likes a much tighter rider compartment, although IIRC he's actually taller then me.

My name is Mudd is 6'3" w/a 35" inseam and fits perfectly on a 61cm c/c w/a 59cm TT length and 11cm flat stem. The frame that bassteban is thinking of is my old Paramount crit-specific frame (59.5 c/t & 57cm TT, and a (brace yerself) 12.5" BB height and 98cm wheelbase...no foolin') which is actually a bit too small for me, but sticking a 13cm stem on it helped make it work. However, that same geometry makes the bike scary-twitchy at anything above 35mph or so, and doubly-scary-twitchy on a descent. It's now my fixed-gear trainer.

My theory is that my saddle compacts it so I don't feel it.

Thank you SO much for sharing that little mental image...

 

[Jon_West]

Just came back from a 140 km ride that literally ripped my legs off, ate them, regurgitated them, and threw them into a sea of acid filled with piranhas.

(Note: When I say "literally", I mean it. These events actually happened)

 

[My name is Mudd]

You know the rulz here - no pics, no piranha...

 

[Jon_West]

The Piranha looked something like this: