Normal beginner's fatigue or dodgy bike?

Hi everyone. I am new to cycling and so happy to find this forum! In the past 11 months, I lost 90 pounds, taking me from 340 pounds to 248 pounds, at 5’10. I bought a bike 3 days ago, and certainly wish I had found these forums beforehand! I ended up with this hybrid:

http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes11/hybrid/altura

I paid $450 Australian Dollars ($488 U.S.). My plan is to take it on 1 hour bike rides 5-6 days a week (on a paved bike path). I’ve been out on 3 rides so far, for 90 minutes each. I really, really love it. However, I am afraid I may have buyer’s remorse.

I don’t know if it’s a good bike or not. They gave me the floor model, which is why it was on sale, they said. They did not let me take it on a test ride (because it was raining), and changed the subject when I asked about warranties and returns. I didn’t get a fitting and was said that I can come back in 8 weeks for adjustments. For these reasons, I feel I was not a wise consumer and feel like I was dealing with a dodgy shop. Now I am probably just looking for something to be wrong.

The suspension seat was sliding on my first ride, but it seems I just didn’t have the lever/screw tight enough. It seemed fine on the 2nd and 3rd ride. So far, the saddle is very comfortable.

The bike seems to be hard to control, to steer. I wonder if this is because I am going too slow? Will it get easier to steer if I get a bit stronger? You know how a new rider wobbles back and forth with the steering? I’m still doing that!

There are a few very gentle hills throughout the path, and I switch to the lowest gear for those. Still, I am pretty fatigued, barely make it up these gentle hills, and really, fatigued overall. I wonder if it’s the bike or because I’m new? Also, I am on a very low carb diet, and I do fatigue easily since being on it. But I imagine it takes at least few weeks to build up some stamina regardless, especially at my weight.

The bike does seem to fit my body very well, I’d say perfect. Also, there is a lever to turn off the front suspension, and maybe if I turn it off, I’ll be able to move the bike easier, maybe even go faster, and then be able steer the thing a bit better. I guess mostly, I’m just wondering if the fatigue and steering are because I am new, or if I was taken for a ride when I bought this bike!

Hi Amykins,
Congrats on your weight loss success and your new bike. This forum is very helpful for new riders!
I am not familiar with Apollo bikes, but it looks to be very nice! I think locking the front suspension for paved paths/roads will definitely improve your ride. Your bike looks very similar to the first hybrid I started on (although I didn't have the option to lock the suspension). My bike was very heavy and made climbing hills pretty tough.
When I first started riding, I fatigued very easily. Seemingly gentle hills turned in Mt Everest for me. That definitely improved over time as I grew stronger and also learned to ride the bike properly (I tended to shift gears at the wrong time, used the wrong gear,etc)
Low carb diets are tricky with exercise. You need energy to get through exercise. Perhaps you should chat with your dr. or nutrionist on how best to fuel up for a ride while sticking to your current program. Be sure to drink lots of fluids too while you ride....it is easy to dehyrdate quickly and that is no fun.
Enjoy your riding, and don't worry, you will improve with each ride!

Ooh, the low carb thing...I am a HUGE fan of low-carb, as I lost a lot of weight that way. I struggle with wanting to drop 20-30#s (regained when I reverted to bad eating habits years ago) and knowing that I could do it with relative ease if I went low carb, again...but I also know that if I drop my net carbs much lower than 100-150 grams/day that bonking is imminent for workouts of much more than 30 minutes. I've BTDT. It's a tricky balance, for sure.

It's definitely a YMMV thing, but if you are doing 60 minute workouts I would try doing 100 net grams and see how that works. That should help regulate erratic blood sugar to control cravings, but still allow you fuel for your rides.

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Originally Posted by Amykins

Hi everyone. I am new to cycling and so happy to find this forum! In the past 11 months, I lost 90 pounds, taking me from 340 pounds to 248 pounds, at 5’10. I bought a bike 3 days ago, and certainly wish I had found these forums beforehand! I ended up with this hybrid:

http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes11/hybrid/altura

I paid $450 Australian Dollars ($488 U.S.). My plan is to take it on 1 hour bike rides 5-6 days a week (on a paved bike path). I’ve been out on 3 rides so far, for 90 minutes each. I really, really love it. However, I am afraid I may have buyer’s remorse.

I don’t know if it’s a good bike or not. They gave me the floor model, which is why it was on sale, they said. They did not let me take it on a test ride (because it was raining), and changed the subject when I asked about warranties and returns. I didn’t get a fitting and was said that I can come back in 8 weeks for adjustments. For these reasons, I feel I was not a wise consumer and feel like I was dealing with a dodgy shop. Now I am probably just looking for something to be wrong.

The suspension seat was sliding on my first ride, but it seems I just didn’t have the lever/screw tight enough. It seemed fine on the 2nd and 3rd ride. So far, the saddle is very comfortable.

The bike seems to be hard to control, to steer. I wonder if this is because I am going too slow? Will it get easier to steer if I get a bit stronger? You know how a new rider wobbles back and forth with the steering? I’m still doing that!

There are a few very gentle hills throughout the path, and I switch to the lowest gear for those. Still, I am pretty fatigued, barely make it up these gentle hills, and really, fatigued overall. I wonder if it’s the bike or because I’m new? Also, I am on a very low carb diet, and I do fatigue easily since being on it. But I imagine it takes at least few weeks to build up some stamina regardless, especially at my weight.

The bike does seem to fit my body very well, I’d say perfect. Also, there is a lever to turn off the front suspension, and maybe if I turn it off, I’ll be able to move the bike easier, maybe even go faster, and then be able steer the thing a bit better. I guess mostly, I’m just wondering if the fatigue and steering are because I am new, or if I was taken for a ride when I bought this bike!

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Congrats on your weight loss! I have to echo what others said- low carb is tricky with riding (or any other sustained activity) I have found I can't go the distance with out a real meal beforehand- so I have great sympathy for you trying to balance.

It sounds like your bike is fine- just need to be patient- like new runners with the run/walk thing........

Another vote for fueling, and IME you don't have to bonk to be having trouble with it. I experience inadequate fueling as muscle fatigue, not as hunger. It actually took me a whole season to figure it out, and when I did, it was by accident, when I noticed how much stronger I rode when I'd had a big meal of brown rice an hour before the ride. :o

Climbing hills takes a little technique, too - learning when and how to shift and where your most efficient cadence (RPM) is on various grades.

The steering thing - hard to tell without looking at the bike and at you on it. It might just be the bike has more responsive geometry than bikes you've ridden in the past. If that's the case, you'll get used to it. But it might be a fit thing, and it might be mechanical, too. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about bikes, you might could get their opinion.

Anyway, welcome to TE!

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Another vote for fueling, and IME you don't have to bonk to be having trouble with it. I experience inadequate fueling as muscle fatigue, not as hunger. It actually took me a whole season to figure it out, and when I did, it was by accident, when I noticed how much stronger I rode when I'd had a big meal of brown rice an hour before the ride. :o

Climbing hills takes a little technique, too - learning when and how to shift and where your most efficient cadence (RPM) is on various grades.

The steering thing - hard to tell without looking at the bike and at you on it. It might just be the bike has more responsive geometry than bikes you've ridden in the past. If that's the case, you'll get used to it. But it might be a fit thing, and it might be mechanical, too. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about bikes, you might could get their opinion.

Anyway, welcome to TE!

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echo oakleaf on the hills- I still have trouble hitting that "sweet spot"- when to downshift- especially if it is extra steep or technical.............

Another tip for beginners is to make sure you have enough air in your tires. Flat tires make for really hard riding. Believe me, I learned the hard way.

Thanks for all the responses everyone and the good advice! I’m happy to hear your bike was similar Penny! I guess if my bike is heavier and harder to ride than other bikes, this bike will just make me stronger faster (maybe!). I’ll try turning off that suspension and see how it goes. Since I wrote my last message, my steering has improved and I’ve gotten slightly better with the gears, but I think it will just take some more practice. I’ll watch that tire pressure too, I tried to fill them once, but I think I ended up with LESS pressure in them than when I started! I do seem to be getting better and stronger after each ride, and I could not be more excited about that!!

Before my last ride (my fifth), I ate 20 grams of carbs. I only eat 15-25 g per day (for 11 months), so it was a big jump to eat the 20 g at once. It made all the difference in the world. I felt more energetic, could do the hills better, and just felt great the whole time, never wanted to stop. I am actually really astounded at the dramatic difference it made. When I came home after nearly 2 hours (!), I felt euphoric. This was just 20 grams of carbs! Perhaps also my physical conditioning is already improving and that was a factor as well. Either way, I will definitely continue everyone's advice and try to eat some carbs before I go. I will try to gradually increase the carbs and find the right balance before a ride.

Anyways, thank you all for the very helpful advice, it’s much appreciated!!

I saw that you have front suspension & trouble steering - I'd try turning it off & seeing if that helps.

Your fatigue could be low carb and beginner's fatigue. Try having a bowl of oatmeal or other slow digesting carb before you go out & see how you do. I've ridden on empty and fueled & I much prefer fueled. Studies are saying that weight loss happens better when you are fueled because you can go harder & longer. I also believe that it makes riding more enjoyable = you'll do it more often.

Welcome!

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Originally Posted by Amykins

My plan is to take it on 1 hour bike rides 5-6 days a week (on a paved bike path). I’ve been out on 3 rides so far, for 90 minutes each.

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Unless you've already got awesome physical stamina from other sports, this is probably a little long for your first couple of rides. No wonder you're tired! How would you feel about dialing it back to 20 or 30 minutes and building from there? You'll also be less likely to pick up an overuse injury that way.

That looks like a nice bike for path riding. The stem appears to be adjustable, maybe lowering it a little would put your arms in a better position to control the front end and quell the wandering? It could just be you getting used to cycling, the balance and control should come with a bit more time on the bike. It sounds like it fits well; take them up on their 'tune up' offer and mention anything you noticed that you think needs to be addressed. And yes, maybe starting with shorter rides and building up would be a better way to go at first?

I agree with the others here who probably know a lot more about nutrition than me :o as I am a junk food addict in remission (sorta). Congrats on the weight loss!

I know I need to have some carbs before I ride; oatmeal or granola in the morning, and a well rounded dinner the night before. When I bonk it's like I fell off a cliff. So I take water, some electrolyte drink if it is hot (or electrolyte chews in the winter) and a granola/energy bar or banana with me on the ride. Also been working at staying hydrated all the time as opposed to just thinking about it on the bike. It helps.

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Originally Posted by kcmpls

Another tip for beginners is to make sure you have enough air in your tires. Flat tires make for really hard riding. Believe me, I learned the hard way.

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+1 on the air. And is there another bike shop in your region? The one you went to is beyond bad.

Changing subjects when you ask questions :mad: refusing a test ride :mad: and then saying you can bring it back for a fit in 8 weeks??? 8 weeks??

If I bought a bike or had work done in any of my favorite shops and had issues I could bring it in or at least get an appointment for them to take a look that day.

You might end up loving the bike but find another shop. :rolleyes:

Also if you feel twitchy on the bike relax, d@mn it!! :mad: :rolleyes: :) especially your hands and arms. Having a death grip actually makes it harder to control your bike.

So a few things that I want to echo here. Pretty much all of them have already been said but I ould say they are really key.

1) Air up your tires before every ride.
2) Lock out your front suspension for now
3) You should be eating a good meal about 4 to 5 hours before you ride and take another hit of about 100 calories a half hour to 45 min before you ride. You want that last hit in an easily digestible form like energy chews or gels.
4) After you finish riding, take in about 180 to 200 calories within 20 min of being done. Ideally you're shooting for about 30 g of carbs and 10 grams of protein - reduced fat chocolate milk is great for this. What this does is store glycogen in your muscles where it will be readily available as fuel for your next ride, making you recover faster. Then you can go low carb the rest of the day and let your heightened metabolic activity burn off the fat.

About the low carb/blood sugar thing. Like someone else mentioned, you don't necessarily get hunger when your blood sugar drops. When I am mountain biking, I almost never want to eat. But I know when I have to because I start falling on technical things that I would normally be able to do no problem. My coordination gets very sketchy. So it could very well be part of your problem.