First ride success
11-06-20, 12:39 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
First ride success
Hey everyone. I just want to thank everyone for usefull information, suggestion and encouragement. After a week of research, buying msc tools and equipment, learning how to adjust my seat, inflate the tires and use an indoor trainer, I took my bike out for a first ride. I found an empty parking lot close by.. Drove around a few times a played with the lower gears. Actually picked up a little speed. Although my seat is adjusted to the recommended height, i felt it was too low and could feel the strain on my knees. Kept it to 15 min and stopped when my knees started complaining but very thrilled with my first ride. Will try again tomorrow. Next trick... figure out how to comfortably change gears. Cheers!
11-06-20, 01:49 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,801
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
Congratulations!
There is just something about the wind on your face, at any speed, that makes you feel free.
John
There is just something about the wind on your face, at any speed, that makes you feel free.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
11-06-20, 03:13 PM
#4
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Recommended seat height is just a starting point for determining what works best for you. Tweaking ergonomics is an ongoing process.
Good start on cycling!
Good start on cycling!
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
11-07-20, 12:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,801
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
Seat position, not just height, and knees can sometimes be an issue. I’m not sure if a doctor or a fitter with enough experience with people who have knee issues is the best recommendation to minimize strain.
it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
11-07-20, 01:07 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,971
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,676 Times
in
827 Posts
Likes For BobbyG:
11-07-20, 01:09 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Seat height
Just back fom my second ride. Seat levelled and raised by 2 inches. Not quite high enough but made a big difference and will do until I get used to mounting and dismounting. I think it can probably go up another .5 to .75 inches. Going from 28" to 30" was a daring move but much easier on the knees. Today, i tool the time to understand how the gears worked and was able to shift 1 - 7 in 2. Seems pretty basic but I don't think I ever did before. Previous biking was before internet. Lol Also getting more comfortable with steady stearing/more in control of the bike. Pretty happy with the outcome, one step at a time.
Seat position, not just height, and knees can sometimes be an issue. I’m not sure if a doctor or a fitter with enough experience with people who have knee issues is the best recommendation to minimize strain.it might be wise to talk to someone if your tweaks can’t eliminate the knee pain.
John
John
Likes For crn3371:
11-07-20, 08:31 PM
#9
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,189
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2571 Post(s)
Liked 5,603 Times
in
2,907 Posts
A very good first ride. It will only get better as you fine tune your adjustments. Very exciting.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob:
Likes For philbob57:
11-08-20, 06:41 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,226
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 548 Post(s)
Liked 473 Times
in
302 Posts
Keep riding and enjoy the fun of learning something new every day!
Likes For gthomson:
11-08-20, 07:23 PM
#12
I think I know nothing.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NE PA
Posts: 709
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 233 Post(s)
Liked 290 Times
in
204 Posts
My knees usually hurt for the first 10 miles then they are ok. I could probably avoid some of that by proper stretching before I ride.
It takes time and effort to get comfortable riding a bike at our age. The main thing is to get on the bike as often as possible, push yourself but don't overdo it. It's sort of a fine line between the two. A year from now you will look back at today and ask yourself what all the hubbub was about but for now it's all good.
It takes time and effort to get comfortable riding a bike at our age. The main thing is to get on the bike as often as possible, push yourself but don't overdo it. It's sort of a fine line between the two. A year from now you will look back at today and ask yourself what all the hubbub was about but for now it's all good.
Likes For Thomas15:
11-08-20, 07:40 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,257
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8265 Post(s)
Liked 9,000 Times
in
4,456 Posts
Great to hear you're having fun and it seems like you are going to keep at it.
Likes For big john:
11-08-20, 07:41 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,533
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 929 Post(s)
Liked 1,289 Times
in
486 Posts
Good for you! Welcome to the madness! Hopefully you'll soon become addicted.
Likes For davester:
