I think I’m finally learning how to bicycle
03-18-21, 10:21 AM
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I think I’m finally learning how to bicycle
I got my first bike when I was in elementary school and had a hard rock comp in junior high/high school, and an old steel Schwin road bike in my early 30’s. At the ripe old age of 42 I was lucky enough to buy a used quality steel frame bike. I am carrying a few extra pounds, 5’10” and 205lbs, but I am hopefully on my way back to 180.
With that aside, I finally got my bike fit dialed in and noticed that I started to lock or engage my core which made cycling much easier. While I wouldn’t describe the bike as fighting me previously, I definitely wasn’t in sync with the bike. When my core is engaged the ride feels velvety and supple. Bumps are less noticeable and I feel connected to the bike in turns. The thing that I seem to notice most when my core is engaged is how much my legs get into rhythm with bike.
Despite having been on bikes for decades, I think I was just turning pedals instead of actually ridding them. There was a brief moment when riding earlier this week that almost made me feel like I was on my motorcycle.
With that aside, I finally got my bike fit dialed in and noticed that I started to lock or engage my core which made cycling much easier. While I wouldn’t describe the bike as fighting me previously, I definitely wasn’t in sync with the bike. When my core is engaged the ride feels velvety and supple. Bumps are less noticeable and I feel connected to the bike in turns. The thing that I seem to notice most when my core is engaged is how much my legs get into rhythm with bike.
Despite having been on bikes for decades, I think I was just turning pedals instead of actually ridding them. There was a brief moment when riding earlier this week that almost made me feel like I was on my motorcycle.
03-18-21, 10:31 AM
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Awesome!! What was changed in your bike fit to help you find a new level in your riding?
I dropped from 225 to 185 at the beginning of 2020. Being consistent with my riding schedule, and making small changes to my food intake, was my formula for success. I hope you find what works for you. Keep it up!
I dropped from 225 to 185 at the beginning of 2020. Being consistent with my riding schedule, and making small changes to my food intake, was my formula for success. I hope you find what works for you. Keep it up!
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03-18-21, 10:40 AM
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Mainly the seat. I did the math to find the right seat height. I have a Brooks Pro seat and I finally conditioned it, so a few rides later my sitbones started to make their indentations. I rotated the handlebars a touch, slide the seat back a touch and brought the nose up. All these little things allowed me to rotate my pelvis which was a game changer. With the pelvis rotated, my back flattened and relaxed, my shoulders dropped taking pressure off of my hands and my core engaged, thus allowing my legs to do all the work.
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03-19-21, 08:06 AM
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It was pretty amazing (to me, at least) how small changes in things like saddle height and position improved my performance when riding. Experienced, knowledgeable and/or competitive cyclists realize things like that early on but for many (like myself and now the OP) it can sometimes take a while to "get the drift" 
. I still see riders on a regular basis that have yet to "see the light" but hopefully they will. Once I made the connection (many years ago) I found cycling to be much more enjoyable.
. I still see riders on a regular basis that have yet to "see the light" but hopefully they will. Once I made the connection (many years ago) I found cycling to be much more enjoyable.
03-19-21, 08:35 AM
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Sounds funny but that’s how I know I have my bike dialed in, when it feels like I’m on my motorcycle lol.
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03-21-21, 07:46 AM
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I’m gonna have to fight for it tooth and nail.
Been out of work the last year because of the lockdown and even though I have the money in hand, the ball and chain is giving me big-time agita over this. She’s become disenchanted with our almost brand new place in the ‘burbs and already wants to upgrade.
I will let you know if I win this.
First salvo. Rolling up sleeves to prepare lavish breakfast...
Been out of work the last year because of the lockdown and even though I have the money in hand, the ball and chain is giving me big-time agita over this. She’s become disenchanted with our almost brand new place in the ‘burbs and already wants to upgrade.
I will let you know if I win this.
First salvo. Rolling up sleeves to prepare lavish breakfast...
03-21-21, 08:01 AM
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Still trying to find that sweet spot also. I tried moving my position to try better a leg imbalance, now I introduce back pains! 
the search continues....
the search continues....
03-21-21, 09:20 AM
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5"9" ex 200# now 170, I can tell you that your locked in core is going to start pulling that stomach inward and you will like the results. I feel that muscle working all the time now off the bike where before I didn't even know it existed. That's a major factor in making that roll over your belt go away.
03-21-21, 12:22 PM
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Interesting thread in a couple of ways. It took me the better part of a year to get dialed in on my Emonda. Not OK, not comfortable, but in-the -zone dialed in. It's amazing what an eighth of an inch or millimeter can do. Bars, grips, stems, saddle, pedals, shoes. ALSO, it's interested to see how many cyclists are also into motorcycles as well. Had 13 street bikes over the years, currently on a Goldwing.
Last edited by Outrider1; 03-21-21 at 12:26 PM. Reason: correct a misspelling
03-21-21, 07:32 PM
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I got my first bike when I was in elementary school and had a hard rock comp in junior high/high school, and an old steel Schwin road bike in my early 30’s. At the ripe old age of 42 I was lucky enough to buy a used quality steel frame bike. I am carrying a few extra pounds, 5’10” and 205lbs, but I am hopefully on my way back to 180.
With that aside, I finally got my bike fit dialed in and noticed that I started to lock or engage my core which made cycling much easier. While I wouldn’t describe the bike as fighting me previously, I definitely wasn’t in sync with the bike. When my core is engaged the ride feels velvety and supple. Bumps are less noticeable and I feel connected to the bike in turns. The thing that I seem to notice most when my core is engaged is how much my legs get into rhythm with bike.
Despite having been on bikes for decades, I think I was just turning pedals instead of actually ridding them. There was a brief moment when riding earlier this week that almost made me feel like I was on my motorcycle.
With that aside, I finally got my bike fit dialed in and noticed that I started to lock or engage my core which made cycling much easier. While I wouldn’t describe the bike as fighting me previously, I definitely wasn’t in sync with the bike. When my core is engaged the ride feels velvety and supple. Bumps are less noticeable and I feel connected to the bike in turns. The thing that I seem to notice most when my core is engaged is how much my legs get into rhythm with bike.
Despite having been on bikes for decades, I think I was just turning pedals instead of actually ridding them. There was a brief moment when riding earlier this week that almost made me feel like I was on my motorcycle.
no joke, you wrote that and described everything really well.
