pure joy...with a few questions

[mtnmunch]

I'm not a big poster, mostly reader, and a newbie to biking again. I've been on again, off again riding for the past year or so. Doing most of my riding the past 5 months. This past weekend I rolled over 160 miles on my bike, which I was really excited about. And for the first time I rode a 10 mile route my husband and I do, and climbed out of the saddle for all the (small) hills. I'm carrying around about 90lbs extra on my body right now. The past few weekends, I've been doing 8, 8 and 10 mile bike rides. Which amazes me since a year ago, doing 2 miles of flat and I was dying.

I'm going to try to get as much riding in as possible before it gets too cold. Although I love snow, so the thought of riding in the snow is tempting.

Here's my questions:

• I picked up a Magneto Trainer for my bike, I have a pair of Specialized Hemisphere tires, not a complete slick but much smoother than my knobby mountain bike tires. I have a Trek 4300. Should I look into a thinner tire and tube for my mtn bike? Is this a crazy idea to want to use my mtn bike with a trainer for the winter?

• Also, I read somewhere else that the brake levers are adjustable, as far as pulling them in closer. I'm only 5" tall and have small hands. Is that possible, should I bring my bike to my LBS to have them do this?

• One more question, I promise. I had also read somewhere (can't remember), that the seat should be inline with handlebars. Is this always the case? My seat is probably still about 1-2 inches shorter than my handlebars.

I really enjoy reading everyone's stories and advice. It keeps me inspired and helps me get back on track.

I love the riding, it's the only thing I really look forward to and will drop everything else to go do. My family has never seen me so determined to do anything.

Thanks again - Diana

[latelatebloomer]

Hi, Diana, I'm too much of a newbie to answer your questions. I just wanna applaud your determination! (clapclapclapclapclapclapclap)

[runnergirl]

Trainers eat tires. Get the cheapest slicks you can and burn them up. Knobies won't work, although they might just turn into slicks if you tried, i'm not sure. Funny thought though.

Brake levers are adjustable, I'm not sure how with mt. bike brakes, but I think it's possible.

Proper seat position is individual, a better rule is that the angle of your knee should be bent 10-15 (maybe 20) degrees when at the bottom of your pedal stroke. Any more bend and you're not using all your power.

The trainer can be deadly, even with TV. Maintaining any intensity is hard, I'd reccomend a heart rate monitor so you can be sure you're getting a workout. Buy some motivational music or spinervals/train right DVDs to ease the trainer pain.

[cindysue]

It's great to hear your passion for the sport, Diana!

sorry, I've never used a trainer before. I'd recommend you speak with a person trained to do bike fittings (at your LBS) for your other questions.

[mtnmunch]

Latelatebloomer,
Thank you so much for the support, every little bit helps :-) :-)

Runnergirl,
Good info, thank you. I will definitely pick up the slicks I was looking at. Specialized Nimbus.

I have a heart rate monitor which I love. It was one the best investments I've ever made. I'll definitely be making sure I'm working up to my THRZ. I'm looking forward to being able to ride to my favorite techno songs.

Cindysue,
Thanks for the support :-) I think I am going to talk to the guys at my LBS, they've been very helpful and supportive. And see if they have any suggestions.

[Irulan]

no need to pay someone to adjust your brakes.
Get out your handy set of allen wrenches. Get a copy of Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike maintenance. ($25) There are diagrams in there to adjust the reach by bringing the levers closer to the handlebars, and the angle that the brakes leversl sit on the handle bar. The second adjustment is just a matter of loosening the allen screw, rotating the levers ( usually down) in increments unitl they feel more natural.

As for where your seat is, that is a matter of preference, and bike geometry. The classic XC race position is that the seat is an inch or two above the handle bars, but there is so much room for variation that there are no correct answers. More importantly, is the seat height correct for you, and is the handlebar height and stem length comfortable? With the seat lower than the handlebars, that gives you a fairly upright, recreational position which is fine for just tooling around, but not great for more agressive, technical riding.



I.

[anne_77]

I noticed you said you love your heart rate monitor. I've been thinking about purchasing one. What do you use? Why do you like it?