Now I just feel silly...

[Pascale]

Here I was under the impression that I was riding some kind of hybrid bike -- today I was informed that I have a comfort bike - it's a Specialized Crossroads.

Two salespeople told me today that a comfort bike is designed to be comfortable for a few miles.

I've been putting 60-100 miles a week on this puppy (20 mile rides 3 times a week and a 40 mile ride once a week). They were not surprised that I wasn't comfortable on it! I also keep a pace of 10-15 mph on it, which I thought was slow (cuz all the road bikes blow by me, of course), but the one salesman just about dropped when I told him that.

I feel so much more accomplished now! I still can't wait to get a road bike though! I guess I'll get my rides done in much faster times - LOL!

How pathetic are ya when you don't even know what KIND of bike you are riding??? ROFL!

http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/images/05SpecializedCrossroadsSport_med.jpg.

[Brandy]

LOL...it's okay. I still refer to my old bike as a comfort/town/hybrid :confused: because I really haven't got a clue what to call it!

Sounds like you've got a good base, you'll love riding a road bike! :D

[mimitabby]

Here I was under the impression that I was riding some kind of hybrid bike -- today I was informed that I have a comfort bike - it's a Specialized Crossroads.

Two salespeople told me today that a comfort bike is designed to be comfortable for a few miles.

I've been putting 60-100 miles a week on this puppy (20 mile rides 3 times a week and a 40 mile ride once a week). They were not surprised that I wasn't comfortable on it! I also keep a pace of 10-15 mph on it, which I thought was slow (cuz all the road bikes blow by me, of course), but the one salesman just about dropped when I told him that.

I feel so much more accomplished now! I still can't wait to get a road bike though! I guess I'll get my rides done in much faster times - LOL!

How pathetic are ya when you don't even know what KIND of bike you are riding??? ROFL!


wow!! you are an ANIMAL!

[Pascale]

LOL, well, now I've just been told they just said that to sell me an expensive bike, so I don't know what to believe - ROFL

[Over50Newbie]

Hi Again Pascale,

I am the person who just purchased the 2005 Terry Classic Road Bike...

Before I forget, Terry bicycles has a spot on their web site for people to sell used bicycles. There is a 16" Terry Classic there for $400. Here is the site:

http://www.terrybicycles.com/trade/?browse=sell

Hope this helps.

:)

[snapdragen]

I also keep a pace of 10-15 mph on it, which I thought was slow (cuz all the road bikes blow by me, of course), but the one salesman just about dropped when I told him that.

Pascale is going to kick all our butts when she gets on a racy road bike...

[Pascale]

Thanks, Over50!!

I did find a Terry to test-ride today - somehow it felt all wrong - although I guess I'm not sure how a road bike is "supposed" to feel - I felt like I was going to go over the front of it (which I didn't feel on the other road bikes I tested, so I dont' know which one was actually a better fit!)

[snapdragen]

Thanks, Over50!!

I did find a Terry to test-ride today - somehow it felt all wrong - although I guess I'm not sure how a road bike is "supposed" to feel - I felt like I was going to go over the front of it (which I didn't feel on the other road bikes I tested, so I dont' know which one was actually a better fit!)

Maybe you don't need the shorter top tube that the Terry would have?

[Over50Newbie]

Everyone is different. Just because it fit me well, doesn't mean that it will feel right for you.

Good luck and let us all know when you decide what to buy.

BTW, I went out for my first ride today on my new bike. Did a quick, very hilly 14 miles. Played around with the gears a lot and had a ball!

[Pascale]

Ok, so when you are on a road bike, and you look straight down, should you be looking directly at the middle of your handlebars? or slightly ahead? or behind?

[Over50Newbie]

I don't have a clue. I will look down while riding tomorrow. And you really mean "Straight Down" , right? Not just looking down at the road ahead of you. And does it make a difference if the handlebars are straight or drop? As you know, I have straight ones. I would guess that if you are in the drop position, and not on your hoods, your head would be in a different place.

[Pascale]

I do mean "straight down" - cuz the guy at Hoigaards asked me, but when I told him the answer, it's like he didn't know if what I answered was what it was supposed to be (kinda lost confidence in him at that point...)

[Over50Newbie]

Stay tuned... I'll let you know tomorrow. For now, it is past midnight here in CT and I'm going to bed.

It will be interesting to see what others have to say, especially the more experienced riders.

[pooks]

I don't know the diff between townie, comfort and hybrid either. I guess I'm lucky I got a hybrid instead of ... I don't know, whatever that first bike I looked at and liked was!

[DebW]

Ok, so when you are on a road bike, and you look straight down, should you be looking directly at the middle of your handlebars? or slightly ahead? or behind?

For me it's slightly behind. I saw on some bike fitting site that if you are riding on the hoods and looking ahead, your nose should be about 1 inch behind the handlebars. Knowing this would require a 2nd person to drop a plumbbob from you nose while you look ahead. A professional fitting would take lots of other factors into account and is the best way to go.

[Grog]

I'm definitely "behind" my handlebars. I haven't checked specifically but I think that if you split the space between the tip of the saddle and the stem in imaginary thirds, my nose, when looking down, would be at about the line between the middle and the front third.

[Kano]

Pascale --- for what it's worth, I'm doing the same thing you are! I have the Specialized Expedition, and am putting at least 50-60 miles on it every week too! And -- except when I do a bunch of hills, my speeds are in that same neighborhood.

Earl thought they'd be perfect because he thinks we will enjoy mountain biking -- After a couple of "mountain" type rides, I'm pretty sure that I will NOT be a mountain biker. So far, he's managed to keep me off road bikes, I think with the goal of making me wait for next season. Have fun searching for your perfect road bike!

Karen in Boise

[Pascale]

Karen - glad to know I have some company out there!! Too bad we're so far away - we could go out and kick butts together - ROFL

[Pascale]

I'm definitely "behind" my handlebars. I haven't checked specifically but I think that if you split the space between the tip of the saddle and the stem in imaginary thirds, my nose, when looking down, would be at about the line between the middle and the front third.

Ok, on the Terry bike I was almost directly over the handlebars when I looked down, and maybe a bit in front - which made me constantly feel like I was on the verge of tumbling forward - I thought it felt a bit small!

[Bikingmomof3]

Pascale,
You are not alone. I put about that many miles on mine going bewteen 16-21 mph. I *want* a road bike, but I never would have gotten on it. With my "comfort" bike, I am pushing it to the limits and loving biking (something I was terrified to do for 37 years). I am practicing, and gaining strength and endurance, while saving up for a "real" road bike. :)

[Kano]

Pascale,
You are not alone. I put about that many miles on mine going bewteen 16-21 mph. I *want* a road bike, but I never would have gotten on it. With my "comfort" bike, I am pushing it to the limits and loving biking (something I was terrified to do for 37 years). I am practicing, and gaining strength and endurance, while saving up for a "real" road bike. :)

Me too -- there's definitely a road bike somewhere calling my name! "Right now" I'm thinking about getting the clipless pedals, cuz then I'd be used to using them when I DO get that road bike some day, and I'm thinking about those slick tires for this bike (they'd be fat slicks....) but after taking a week off due to travel, I feel pretty certain that there's SOMETHING wrong with the fit (I think I'd be at the bike shop right now if it wouldn't be too hot to ride back home after!), and that makes me wonder how much work/money/etc. do I want to put into this bike, when I could put it into that road bike... (it's probably something minor, like seat adjustment and/or handle bar adjustment, which isn't necessarily a good thing at all!)

Meanwhile, I'm practicing too! (neighbor lady said she rode so much farther so much easier soon as she hopped on her new road bike, though..... GOSH it's tempting!)

[Kano]

Karen - glad to know I have some company out there!! Too bad we're so far away - we could go out and kick butts together - ROFL

You never know, Pascale! Family's all back there, so we visit now and again -- usually the road-crud season, though, you know, that stuff on the roads that you can't exactly call snow.... If we could kick butt during THAT time of year, we'd really be kicking butt!

Karen in Boise

[Bikingmomof3]

Me too -- there's definitely a road bike somewhere calling my name! "Right now" I'm thinking about getting the clipless pedals, cuz then I'd be used to using them when I DO get that road bike some day, and I'm thinking about those slick tires for this bike (they'd be fat slicks....) but after taking a week off due to travel, I feel pretty certain that there's SOMETHING wrong with the fit (I think I'd be at the bike shop right now if it wouldn't be too hot to ride back home after!), and that makes me wonder how much work/money/etc. do I want to put into this bike, when I could put it into that road bike... (it's probably something minor, like seat adjustment and/or handle bar adjustment, which isn't necessarily a good thing at all!)

Meanwhile, I'm practicing too! (neighbor lady said she rode so much farther so much easier soon as she hopped on her new road bike, though..... GOSH it's tempting!)

It is indeed tempting. Fortunately (or not), the boys have school starting soon and any money for new bike goes towards school clothing, supplies, and sporting fees. So as tempted as I am, it is not in the budget.:(

I do like your idea of new pedals, to become used to them. Great idea. I am trying to find creative ways to push myself with this bike and prepare myself for next summer when I can hopefully buy a new bike.

[CorsairMac]

Pascale: my first "get back into biking by commuting" bike was a Trek Navigator 200 - a comfort bike. I was just so thrilled to be riding it never occurred to me that it wasn't "built" to ride like that! I rode 60 miles a week on that thing, avg spd of 11-12 mph and climbed my cute (read NOT) mountain every night going home on that thing. I also did 25-30 mile rides on the weekends on that baby. By the spring I was "pining" for a road bike and in just a matter of like 4 wks I ended up with a vintage road bike, a MTB and withint 6 wks a 2nd vintage road bike! :D So hang in there, the road bike for you will come out and you'll love it! and one day you'll climb back on that comfort bike and think "Holy Smokes how did I RIDE this thing for so long?" lol

[Over50Newbie]

Okay Pascale,

My nose is also behind the handlebars. The only time I feel like I am a little too forward is when I stand up to climb a hill.

My LBS told me that my Terry had three different saddle positions. They ended up putting me in the middle one. The front one was too forward for me, and with the back saddle position, I felt like I had to stretch too much to reach the handlebars.

Also, maybe you should try to ride the next size up - the 17.5"? I tried that size and with the seat in the forward postion, it felt okay. It is just that the 16" felt better.

I still say... get thee to a bike store that will do a professional fitting for you. Maybe you have a long torso for your height, but you won't know for sure until you are fitted properly.

Good luck!

[HappyAnika]

That is amazing you've been putting that kind of mileage on that bike!

When I bought my road bike, they said when I'm in riding position with my hands in the hoods if I look down toward the handlebars they should line up with the hub of the front wheel. If you see the hub in front of the handle bars you are too far forward, if you see it behind the bars, you're too far back. Just a guideline, hope this helps.

[Pascale]

That is amazing you've been putting that kind of mileage on that bike!

When I bought my road bike, they said when I'm in riding position with my hands in the hoods if I look down toward the handlebars they should line up with the hub of the front wheel. If you see the hub in front of the handle bars you are too far forward, if you see it behind the bars, you're too far back. Just a guideline, hope this helps.

Yes, that helps a lot, thank you!

I rode a Giant OS3 today to get an idea of size and the XXS fit me much better than the Terry did yesterday, I didn't feel as though I was too far forward on it, although I'd have to upgrade to the OS1 to get the brakes/shifts that can be fitted to my paws. What a difference in ride from my comfort bike - wow! Even so, I'm still drooling over that Bianchi Giro!

Until then, I will do what I can with my comfort bike - I did replace the big 'ole cushy saddle on it today, so hopefully the change will take away some of my sit bone and hip pain.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! :cool:

[maillotpois]

Sorry, I can't focus on this discussion because I am so distracted by how pretty your borzoi is....

[morsecode]

I have no idea about any of this, but it sounds like you are doing great.

Good luck finding your perfect road bike!!!

[Pascale]

Sorry, I can't focus on this discussion because I am so distracted by how pretty your borzoi is....

Thanks :) That was Spice, my first borzoi and my heart dog (dog people know what I"m talking about). She lived almost 7 years and cancer took her a year ago this month, but she's alive in my heart and I love having that picture of me wherever I go :)

I have two others presently - and I think they are fabulous, but they'll never be my Princess :p

[Kano]

I do like your idea of new pedals, to become used to them. Great idea. I am trying to find creative ways to push myself with this bike and prepare myself for next summer when I can hopefully buy a new bike.

My understanding on these pedals is that we can move 'em to the new bike when we find it, too. That makes them a bargain even though they're not cheap, right?

Anyhow, this week, new "slick" tires on Thursday -- decided that on that other thread. I think next week is the week for new pedals. We have a hilly ride with a group of people over the weekend, and that's probably not an ideal day to be a pedal newbie. By then, the stuff I've improved about the bike will be just about half the initial cost of the bike....

(Sunday was going to be our day for pedals, but then the bike shop that we could have biked past on our way home was going to be closed, it being Sunday and all, so we didn't go to another bike shop either. Could be a "while we're out" this weekend, since the bikes will be on the car already!)

Karen in Boise

[Bikingmomof3]

What type of pedals are you planning on buying?

[Kano]

What type of pedals are you planning on buying?


That's a question for my bike shop guy! I'm not sure, but they'll work with my shoes, and they'll be the easiest possible to get out of !!!!!

My shoes are Specialized Taho, which are like the cheapest shoes that would go onto my feet, and even though I have no real objection to yet another pair of shoes in my shoe stable, it would be nice to be able to use them. The guys at George's seem to be partial to the ones with an "spd" type widget? Or, maybe since we're riding the low end bikes, they're suggesting the low end pedals????

It's a whole other thread, I know -- but maybe someone on the list has suggestions for us newbies breaking our bodies in to this sport???

Karen in Boise

[Geonz]

And if a road bike really doesn't feel right, you can get a "fast hybrid" that will be comfy, too, if you put skinnier tires on it. I put a couple thousand miles on my hybrids each year, and the "slower" one is a little more comfortable over the long, long haul (so I took it on the week-long tour); the fast one is great for one-day centuries (7500FX Trek).
WHo knows, you may be able to tweak the comfort bike so that at least it's comfortable over the longer distances. Then, indeed, when you get a lighter steed it will FLY because of the strength and endurance you've built up - and in the meantime, as you get stronger, you will get to make some of thsoe folks on the really lightweight stallions who don't pu tin your mileage feel a little sheepish...

[Pascale]

Ok, so yesterday I got the new saddle for my Specialized Crossroads Comfort beast and decided to test ride it today. Meant to go for a short ride - maybe 5-10 miles.

Well, 5 eventually turned into 30. Generally I ride the rail trails (which are flat, and nicely devoid of traffic), but I didn't have the car today, so I rode locally. So, this was the first time I've EVER had to ride hills! That was exhausting!

Some things I've learned by visiting bike shops recently is that I am not pedaling correctly. I didn't realize there was a way to pedal incorrectly (newbie alert!). I've ALWAYS placed the arches of my feet center on my pedals - ever since I was a kid. Then I start visiting bike shops and I start seeing the special shoes that attach to the pedals (are you KIDDING? would I tie myself to the saddle of my horse??????????? ok, so that was my first reaction...). So they tell me, no, I should be using the ball of my feet to pedal. Which makes me raise my seat height. But now my feet slip off the pedals (ok, so now I see why you attach the feet to the pedals! LOL). So, it's been a HUGE learning experience.

The saddle seemed very comfortable for the first 25 miles - the last 5 I was getting sore. I'm NEVER sore really on my sit bones though - it's my tail bone that KILLS me. Even now, an hour after my ride, I'm sore to just sit. My knees always hurt as well (stairs are not welcome for 12 hours after a ride).

But heck, I'm sure having fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

Some things I've learned by visiting bike shops recently is that I am not pedaling correctly. So they tell me, no, I should be using the ball of my feet to pedal. Which makes me raise my seat height. But now my feet slip off the pedals (ok, so now I see why you attach the feet to the pedals! LOL). So, it's been a HUGE learning experience.



I had absolutely no idea I was to be using the ball of my foot, not he center of my foot. I learn at least one thing new every day.

[mimitabby]

I had absolutely no idea I was to be using the ball of my foot, not he center of my foot. I learn at least one thing new every day.
The biking expert guy Steve HOGG in Australia says the opposite!
here's his article:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters07-26#Cleat

[Pascale]

The biking expert guy Steve HOGG in Australia says the opposite!
here's his article:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters07-26#Cleat


This is what I took out of that article...


4. Cleat too far forward. As a guide, for your shoe size, I would position the cleat so that the centre of the ball of the foot is 9mm in front of the centre of the pedal axle. If the position of the cleat is the problem, this is likely to solve the problem.

If the cleat is in the centre of the ball of your foot, then that's where the people at the LBS's were telling me - they were telling me to get off my arches. Or am I completely confused? Veterans, can ya help?

[Kano]

The saddle seemed very comfortable for the first 25 miles - the last 5 I was getting sore. I'm NEVER sore really on my sit bones though - it's my tail bone that KILLS me. Even now, an hour after my ride, I'm sore to just sit. My knees always hurt as well (stairs are not welcome for 12 hours after a ride).

But heck, I'm sure having fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Pascale -- tail bone rather than sit bones... That may change now, though you'll need some time to feel better first! I had tail bone problems too, for a while, until I got rid of that comfort saddle they put on our beasts! It was a few days after I wasn't sitting on it anymore that it was okay to be on my butt again, so you'll get better now! (I won't promise, since you could have different results!)

And knees -- gosh, that sounds SO familiar! The 5-10 rides are no problem, but when I get going for longer distances, it's not that they hurt, but I know they're there by the time I'm done, and then stairs.... You got that right! I was thinking it's a muscle thing, until I unwillingly gave the muscles a week to rest (bike in Boise, Karen several hours west of Boise). Came back, and they started right in again... After two months of at least four days a week, they should be over that nonsense, unless I'm challenging myself significantly more and more each week????

Karen in Boise

[matagi]

This is what I took out of that article...


4. Cleat too far forward. As a guide, for your shoe size, I would position the cleat so that the centre of the ball of the foot is 9mm in front of the centre of the pedal axle. If the position of the cleat is the problem, this is likely to solve the problem.

If the cleat is in the centre of the ball of your foot, then that's where the people at the LBS's were telling me - they were telling me to get off my arches. Or am I completely confused? Veterans, can ya help?

The cleat should be positioned very slightly behind the centre of the ball of the foot (9mm is less than 1/2 inch), so that the back half of the ball of your foot is taking most of the pressure.

Also, sore knees are not good - your knees should not hurt after riding. I guess if you have been pedalling on your arches, that could be the cause of the problem, other possibilities are - your seat position is wrong, or you are pedalling in too high a gear (mashing).

First thing to do is get your foot position right on the pedals, then if the knee pain is still there, look at other parameters.

The tail bone pain has me a bit puzzled .... have you had a previous injury to your tailbone?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When I rode 10 miles on a borrowed bike a couple weeks ago, it was a bike that was too small for me, even with the saddle raised up. One thing I noticed after the ride was that my knees hurt for the first time ever.

[Pascale]

The tail bone pain has me a bit puzzled .... have you had a previous injury to your tailbone?

Quite possibly - I've fallen off enough horses :rolleyes: - I have a difficult time sitting for long periods of time in most kinds of chairs unless I can pull one leg up and sit on it (I'm so short that my legs don't reach the ground on most chairs, so that's usually the only way I'm comfortable). Also, since this is a comfort bike, I'm sitting nearly straight up, so maybe that's part of the problem on the tail bone issue. I don't recall any specific injuries, but I only remember the big ones, LOL!

[MomOnBike]

I know for certain that you'd remember breaking a tailbone. That HURTS! :eek: :eek:

There's no way to cast it, either, so you just suffer for the rest of your life.

(You don't need to ask how I know.)