New and perplexed

[bikegranny]

Hello all, This is such a great site! I'm very happy I found you. I'm a used to be and now a wanna be biker. Loved bikes when I was young, and things were a lot simpler then, and nothing hurt! Now I'm old and fat and short, nothing fits and everything hurts. So, what I need is lots of advice: have read a lot online. Some say the "crank forward" bikes are great for the old and fat, some say they are harder to pedal, especially on hills. I'm leaning toward a Trek Pure, but have not tried it out yet. I'm not interested in racing, long distance (yet) or even tours. I just want to ride a bike around on paths and enjoy being outside without unbearable pain. Any opinions on the crank foward or advice on a different type bike?

I love reading your posts and am learning from them.

Beth

[Bike Writer]

Welcome bikegranny and congratulations for taking up the sport again. Well to borrow a saying from years gone by..."the proof is in the pudding." The best way to determine what hurts and what does not hurt is to go test ride several different styles of bikes. You will soon find out what kind of bike makes pedaling feel like a breeze to you.

I have a Specalized Sport Expedition and the angle of the seat tube is called slack meaning that it is considered less aggressive because it angles back putting the seat behind the pedaling just a tad. I found the bike far easier to pedal than my previous upright bike. I wouldn't have known that from looking but I felt it immediately when I rode it. I'm not a great hill climber no matter what kind of bike I ride so I can't comment on that. Also, I have knee problems and this style of bike does not make that problem worse. When I am at my worst with knee pain and have trouble with walking I can still ride.

[bikegranny]

Thanks, Muirenn, No, have not tried any bikes yet. A bit intimated by young, slim, muscular boys and girls at the shops. Trying to figure everything out in my head before I go! guess that's not the best approach, huh. Will try a more practical approach and actuall go to the shop!

Beth

[bikegranny]

Thanks Bike Writer, Yup, I absolutely need to get to the bike shops and ride a few bikes. Trying to figure which ones to try......

[Melalvai]

What city or region are you in? You might be able to get some advice here on which bike shop. Some bike shops cater to a certain type of cyclist, like racers. Helps to find that out in advance so you know who to avoid.

[PamNY]

Hi and welcome to TE. I'm 62 and don't plan to give up cycling anytime soon. My current bike is a hybrid from the Trek fx series.

Is trying rental bikes an option for you? I did that and found it helpful. Not sure what you mean by "everything hurts" but I was able to fix all my cycling-related pains on my own. Info on saddles from this forum was very helpful., and building core strength solved the backache.

Good luck getting back into cycling -- and keep coming here with any questions or concerns. This group is very helpful when you are scared, sore or discouraged. Everyone loves to hear success stories as well.

Pam

[bikegranny]

Ok, I'm scared, sore and discouraged! tried riding my old bike today, after about 10 years. Was barely out of the garage when I fell; thankfully, no injuries..........think my helmet saved my life, it was a faceplant into the paved driveway. Now I'm very very sore, but mostly discouraged, and scared to try again. If I can move tomorrow, will try again. I'm thinking a Day 6 bike. hope to find a dealer to try them out, in Columbus, OH.

thanks for words of encouragement and good advice.

[goldfinch]

Oh ouch!

Do you know why you fell? Does you old bike fit?

You might find it easier to track down the Pure and the Townie for a test ride than the Day 6 but the Day 6 is a mighty cool bike. Depending on your budget one of the best crank forward bike probably is a Rans.

You might also consider a recumbent trike, like a Terratrike Rover. People have a lot of fun with them but recumbent trikes do tend to be pricey as compared to bikes.

I sympathize with being short and fat and finding a bike that fits. I bought my bike when I was short and fat. Riding and more riding helped me drop the weight. But I am still short. :)

[Bike Writer]

Ok, I'm scared, sore and discouraged! tried riding my old bike today, after about 10 years. Was barely out of the garage when I fell; thankfully, no injuries..........think my helmet saved my life, it was a faceplant into the paved driveway. Now I'm very very sore, but mostly discouraged, and scared to try again. If I can move tomorrow, will try again. I'm thinking a Day 6 bike. hope to find a dealer to try them out, in Columbus, OH.

thanks for words of encouragement and good advice.

Oh my goodness Ow ow ow! I can certainly understand why you would be scared and discouraged. Hope you feel better soon, from the sounds of it you avoided breaking anything but took a big blow to your confidence. Been there. When I re-took up biking again a couple of years ago I'd been through a period of inactivity for a few years. Prior to that I was pretty athletic and strong with good balance. It's amazing what a few years of inactivity can do to a person, fortunately all of that can be reversed with persistance and work. Speaking from one who was in your exact spot not long ago I can empathize with the fear and discourgament. I fell a lot the first few months. I'd bought a craigslist bike and the person was taller than me, I made some adjustments and it helped. Since this was your bike before it probably fits you and is set up for your height so I'm guessing that the fall was a result of lack of strength, balance and confidence with handling skills. Often I had no idea why I fell, I just did. I came to realize it was lack of skills coupled with too much bravado. I should have spent more time practicing before I ventured out into challenging situations. Oh well.

You said you are scared but you also said if it dosen't hurt too much you'll try again - you've got spunk! Working on some core body strengthening will help you gain confidence because you'll be better able to handle your bike.

Feel better soon and best of luck.

[marni]

welcome to the journey. Remember all you have been through so far. Getting on a bike is nothing. Take time, have patience, enjoy the learning curve and don't let anybody tell you they know better. You can do this!

[OakLeaf]

Aw, sorry that happened to you - hope you feel better soon. They say you don't forget how to ride a bike, but it surely took me a few rides to remember how, after I came back from my long hiatus. I felt VERY wobbly at first on my very stable hybrid bike ... and when I returned to road cycling two years after that, I did have a couple of failure-to-unclip falls. It happens. It will come back. :)

I don't know a single thing about Northland Cycle - the only Columbus dealer Day 6 lists on their website. I'm about 99% sure that Bike Doctor in Heath doesn't stock them on their floor, but it's not that far of a drive for you if you call and find out that they do have a bike you could test ride. Do try out as many bikes as you can before you make your decision. Don't commit yourself to a particular style of bike before you take your test rides - you may find that what's comfortable for you isn't what you'd assumed.

I think as long as you're staying in and around town, you don't have to worry too much about gearing or climbing geometry. The grades you'll encounter in Franklin County may not be easy for a newly returning rider, but they're plenty doable with some training - they're not the kind of hills people talk about having trouble with a crank forward or recumbent bike.

Welcome to TE and happy shopping!

[bikegranny]

Thanks so much for the kind words, everybody.............you guys are nice! I'm taking today off because my body hurts! had a bit of trouble sleeping, but still think there is no real damage. I have two knee replacements, and one of my knees is very sore, that's my main concern. the Day 6 interests me because I think my feet could reach the ground and thus prevent falls :). Looked at the TerraTrike online, don't like it much. The Rans are wonderful, but way out of my price range. That would be my choice, if money grew on trees. and the real problem with me is I'm terrified to get back on the bike. The old bike does not fit, I didn't know anything about fit when I bought it. So today is a resting and thinking day, by the weekend I will be ready to test bikes.

[PamNY]

Yikes! Sorry you had a fall. But that does happen. When I first returned to cycling, I had several inglorious moments -- once running into a large, highly visible concrete bench while I was going very slowly. I'm impressed that you are eager to continue cycling despite a brief setback. As someone said upthread, you've got spunk and that will take you a long way.

Yyou are wise to rest for a day or two and be careful of your knees. I hope you get a chance to try the Day 6 as soon as you are feeling better. Let us know how it goes.

[bikegranny]

Guess what, guys!!! I just heard about a thing called bike stabilizers for grown ups! Tell me the truth: would I be a total loser wash-out hopeless sissy if I used those just for a little while? just for a few rides until I have a bit of confidence back? have any of you heard of them or used them at all? it looks very appealing to me, in my fear and hesitancy, yet with a strong desire to ride. If I used them, I could get a "normal" bike like I really want, instead of the crank forward type. maybe. Would like to hear your thoughts, kind and fearless women.

[bikegranny]

Thanks, NY, I just called a bike shop in Columbus and they do have Day 6 bikes in stock, so I will go try it on Monday, when i have a free day. and time to shop for other bikes also. excited!

[bikegranny]

Thanks, Oakleaf, I called northland cycle this morn, and they do have one Day 6 bike in the shop to test ride. so I will do that Monday, when I have a free day.

[bikegranny]

Thanks, Muirenn. I will carefully consider your advice on the Day 6. It does cost more than the Trek Pure, not sure about the electra. but will check both of them out. Monday is a free day for me so I plan to visit bike shops all day.

[Catrin]

My LBS has a Townie section (an entire separate room) filled with a large number of Townies of every possible type. It really is amazing how many different options there are for those bikes, and a number of them are quite sharp!

[Melalvai]

I'd like to hear more about bike stabilizers if you try them. They look like kind of big training wheels? I'm sure a lot of people are intimidated about riding again after so many years, who would benefit from a transitional sort of thing like that. I am approached a lot for advice about cycling, so I'd love to have information about these sorts of things to pass on, and someone else's experience with it would be just the thing.

[bikegranny]

My excitment over them is tampered a bit after I checked the price...........$150 to $200. would probably only be used two or three times, just til I get the details of pedaling, shifting, brakes, etc. well remembered. sigh...........everything comes down to money! perhaps I can find a pair to rent.....

[malkin]

Hey granny! Welcome to TE!
I haven't got much to add here; you have received some good advice, and you certainly have pluck!

Best wishes for your bike shop visits! May you find a helpful and friendly place with lots of bikes to try.

[bikegranny]

Thanks for the very good advice. I'm so glad to have found this site, it's wonderful.

[bikegranny]

P.S. nope, I'm not the horseback rider.

[Melalvai]

I've heard the "best practices" for teaching someone (child or adult) how to ride a bike, and I imagine similar principles could apply for someone who is re-learning how to ride a bike. I don't know if you need to do all this, given that you once knew how to ride, but here it is if you like. I haven't had an opportunity to try this out on anyone yet myself. I heard it from someone who has taught many, many 9 year olds and a few adults how to ride a bike. He doesn't recommend training wheels at all.

Lower the seat fairly low, so you can sit on it with your feet flat on the ground. (This is the last time you want the seat like that. Once you have learned to ride a bike, if your feet touch the ground while you are sitting, your seat is too low, and it will cause your knees to hurt when you pedal.)

Take the pedals off if you can. (A pedal wrench is handy but I have done it with a regular crescent wrench.)

Sit on the bike and scooter it around, pushing or walking it with your feet. Only as fast as you are comfortable with. Get to where you can push off and keep your feet off the ground as you coast a little bit, maybe down a gentle little slope.

Once you can do that, put the pedals on, and try coasting one pedal stroke at a time, keeping your feet near the ground to catch yourself.

I've been told most people can learn to ride a bike with about an hour's worth of practice like this.

[bikegranny]

Thanks Melavai, good to know. I'm going to try this, sounds good to me.

[Trek420]

I'm a little concerned about the overlarge seat with a backrest. That would affect handling and balance. And be rather top-heavy and unweildly.

I agree. The trail is what bothers me too. What I mean is the handlebars are so far behind the wheels that it will make handling dicey. I don't imagine it feeling stabile.

I also question the bars are so high. Cute but seems uncomfortable and the longer you ride the more it would be awkward.

I highly recommend you test ride a Townie. My MIL got one and is very happy with it. She's very active but had a stroke and finds it stabile and fun.

[breeze]

bikegranny, if you're in Columbus, you might check out one of the Roll (http://roll-online.com/) shops. There are a few in town (one on Lane Ave, one in Bexley, and another at Polaris), and the vibe is very much geared towards beginner/inexperienced cyclists. Last time I stopped in the Lane Ave location, they had a full range of the Electra bikes on the floor, and the shop sits in front of some quiet residential streets of Upper Arlington (fairly low traffic) so you can try out the ride. The employees seem to trend young, but enthusiastic.

Good luck!

[breeze]

Oh, also: if you haven't checked it out yet, take a look at the "Consider Biking" group based in Columbus. There's lots of info about local cyclist activities, maps, etc.

http://www.considerbiking.org/

[bikegranny]

Again, thanks to you all. Today I shopped bikes. First, let me get this off my chest: I did not ride a bike. because, I'm terrified of falling. Yes, shame on me. But, in all fairness to me, my ribs are still very very sore, and my daughter would kill me if I come home even more damaged. and I will ride again, just not right now:D So, I did learn enough to know that I want the Electra Townie. 99% certain! It fits just right, can reach the ground when seat is adjusted, and it's beautiful. it's more comfortable than the Trek Pure, and I felt safer on it. even tho I wasn't moving! do like the Pure tho. and have ruled out the Day 6 altogether. The guy at the Trek store, and Bike Source #2 were very nice and willing to spend time listening to me and evaluating my fit needs. Said daughter objects strongly to the whole idea, and that is a bit discouraging to me. but is not a deal breaker. so thats my story. Thanks for listening.

[PamNY]

Bikegranny, that's great. I'm glad you found a good bike shop -- and it sounds like you've found the right bike as well. I look forward to hearing about your adventures when the time comes!

[Sylvia]

Ok, I'm scared, sore and discouraged! tried riding my old bike today, after about 10 years. Was barely out of the garage when I fell; thankfully, no injuries..........think my helmet saved my life, it was a faceplant into the paved driveway. Now I'm very very sore, but mostly discouraged, and scared to try again. If I can move tomorrow, will try again. I'm thinking a Day 6 bike. hope to find a dealer to try them out, in Columbus, OH.

thanks for words of encouragement and good advice.

BikeGranny,

I'm coming into this thread a bit late, but I noticed that you said you had taken a spill when barely out of your garage. Were you trying to get on the bike when this occurred? Was the problem with balancing the bike while trying to get both feet on the pedals, by any chance? Do you think the problem might be one of flexibility or is it more balance?

Here's why I ask, I'm a disabled cyclist. I used to bicycle all the time as a kid, but got back into cycling a few years ago after not having ridden in about 30 years. The problem I had when I was reacquainting myself with getting on a bike and riding was the crankarms were too long, and I didn't have the flexibility to easily get both feet on the pedals when starting the bike. So the problem for me wasn't balance. If this sounds like it might be similar to what you are experiencing, I found the solution for me was to get shorter crankarms and a laidback seatpost. If you click on the link labeled "Gary Fisher beater bike" in my signature, you will see a writeup and some pictures of some of the things I did to my bike initially to figure out what I would need.

BTW, getting the bike stabilizer isn't necessarily a bad idea if it helps.

[bikegranny]

Sylvia, that is a very impressive bike! did you make the seat post or find one to buy like that? Hooray for you for figuring out what you needed and making it happen. How is the riding for you now?? My problem was..............I pushed off with my arm from the garage door frame. the push was not enough momentum to get me going, as I do not have the strenth in my arms that I had a few years ago. did not start pedaling quick enough, and down I went. I would love a small, 20" bike and think that would solve most of my problems, but am too big around for my height.:eek: And now I have this consuming fear that I will fall again and don't know if I can get back on a bike. But have to wait to heal up before I even try it; still have quite a bit of pain in my ribs. The Electra Townie is my solution, and will go back and ride one when the ribs feel better; I can ride it and still reach the ground, so that makes me feel safer. Thanks for posting, and I love the beater bike, and the site it's posted on. Do let me know how things are going for you.

[Sylvia]

Georgena did this for you? Really? That's very cool.

I originally, contacted Georgena thinking I would need a custom built bike. I'm pretty short and have a 25" inseam so I had contacted her about possibilities. After we discussed it a bit, I decided I needed to do a bit more research on what I would need and just find a bike that I could ride. So that's how the beater bike came to be. Georgena had asked that I keep her updated, so when I checked back in with her, she found what I was doing interesting and asked if she could write it up. I was of course floored that she took such an interest. We have become pretty good friends since. She really is very down to earth and personally I think she is great!

[Sylvia]

Bikegranny,

The seatpost is an old school bmx laid back seatpost. You can find seatposts similar to this on ebay which is where I picked mine up.
I still ride and find it is a great way for me to get exercise since I can't run or walk long distances. I recently did a charity ride in October with some friends and had a blast!!

Sorry to hear about your ribs, but I'm glad you have found a bike that will work for you. :)

[Melalvai]

You're really brave and determined to still be talking about biking after your fall. I'm eager to hear about your next attempt (and of course I hope it goes a lot better).

After what you described of your fall, I would suggest that your next attempt, you ride with your seat low enough you can put your feet on the ground while sitting on the seat. As I mentioned before, that height will be bad for your knees when you start going on longer rides. But for learning, it will help with your stability. When you are comfortable riding, you can start learning the "power pedal" start & stop. (Easy to show, hard to describe. I'll explain better later.)

Said daughter objects strongly to the whole idea, and that is a bit discouraging to me. but is not a deal breaker.
This is kind of funny because it's my mom who worries about me biking. I went on a self supported, 744 mile tour, camping in state parks, solo, 3 years ago. One woman I met said, "Your poor mother!" However, she's come around, especially as I came through the solo tour unscathed and haven't done any more solo tours (yet). She's got a new bike and has been riding it more too.

I hope your daughter feels better when she sees how much you enjoy it, and some day joins you on some bike rides. I've inspired a lot of my family to bike more--not the one person I want to bike more than anyone else, but quite a few others!

[bikegranny]

Thank you, Melalvai. I've read about and others have suggested the "sit on seat and push" method of learning, and that is my plan when my soreness is healed. Wow, very impressive camping bicycle tour! Many years ago I often thought I would like that, but not sure I still want to.

[bikegranny]

The Electra Townie. I'm thinking pink.

[PamNY]

The Electra Townie. I'm thinking pink.

Remember -- you owe us a picture :D

[bikegranny]

will do!

[murielalex]

I like the pink Townie idea.