bike share bike
09-10-20, 11:01 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
bike share bike
i used to bike when i was a kid but hadn't ridden in decades. two months ago i joined a bike share program because i needed a bike for commuting and didn't want to worry about maintenance or theft. however, i think the bike might be a little big for me. i am five feet tall and thin. my control is still not that great and i wobble sometimes. a new two-way bike lane will be opening up and i really want to use it but the lanes are narrow and one lane slopes down towards the curb so all that makes me a little nervous. i am still experimenting with saddle height and my right sole aches after a ride. i try to use the balls of my feet to pedal. i had fractured my right ankle 18 months ago. i saw an exercise where one scrunches up a towel with one's toes so might try that to help strengthen my foot. i am still considering getting my own bike. any advice on how i can improve my bike share ride would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by sha90; 09-10-20 at 11:04 AM.
09-10-20, 11:10 AM
#2
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i used to bike when i was a kid but hadn't ridden in decades. two months ago i joined a bike share program because i needed a bike for commuting and didn't want to worry about maintenance or theft. however, i think the bike might be a little big for me. i am five feet tall and thin. my control is still not that great and i wobble sometimes. a new two-way bike lane will be opening up and i really want to use it but the lanes are narrow and one lane slopes down towards the curb so all that makes me a little nervous. i am still experimenting with saddle height and my right sole aches after a ride. i try to use the balls of my feet to pedal. i had fractured my right ankle 18 months ago. i saw an exercise where one scrunches up a towel with one's toes so might try that to help strengthen my foot. i am still considering getting my own bike. any advice on how i can improve my bike share ride would be greatly appreciated.
09-10-20, 12:01 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
i got used to the weight of the bike but i do wish i was closer to the handlebars. but i have long arms so it is not too bad. i keep wanting to scoot back in the saddle for some reason though. before i joined the bike share i did buy a 24" girl's bike at Walmart. but i didn't know i had to shift while pedaling and shifted while it was stationary. it was so tight and i returned the bike.. i will think about buying a bike again but theft is such a concern. tk you!
09-10-20, 01:24 PM
#4
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i got used to the weight of the bike but i do wish i was closer to the handlebars. but i have long arms so it is not too bad. i keep wanting to scoot back in the saddle for some reason though. before i joined the bike share i did buy a 24" girl's bike at Walmart. but i didn't know i had to shift while pedaling and shifted while it was stationary. it was so tight and i returned the bike.. i will think about buying a bike again but theft is such a concern. tk you!
09-12-20, 06:29 PM
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Definitely look into getting a bike of your own. Most bike maintenance tasks - fixing a flat, adjusting parts, and so on, are fairly straightforward to learn and can be done without a ton of tools.
When I've used bike share bikes (while traveling), I've also found them difficult to control. I also ride my own bikes quite a bit, usually 3,000 - 6,000 miles a year. The point is that it's probably not you, it's the bike - a bike that's half your weight isn't the most ideal or fun to ride, and since bike share bikes are purposely built to be bomb proof, there's probably not much that can make it better.
When I've used bike share bikes (while traveling), I've also found them difficult to control. I also ride my own bikes quite a bit, usually 3,000 - 6,000 miles a year. The point is that it's probably not you, it's the bike - a bike that's half your weight isn't the most ideal or fun to ride, and since bike share bikes are purposely built to be bomb proof, there's probably not much that can make it better.
