New bike and ouch my knees!

[platys]

I just got a Trek 3700 WSD, 13 inches. I'm only 4'10 with short legs, and it was the closest we found that fit me. The problem I'm having now is that if the seat is low enough that I can get my toes on the ground in order to start and stop without falling over, my legs feel squished when I'm pedaling, and my knees hurt.

If I put the seat up a bit, it helps a lot, but then I have a hard time stopping and getting going again However, its true I haven't ridden a bike regularly for like 15 years or so (I'm 33), so I might just be clumsy.

I'm going to use the bike for short jaunts - mainly riding to the train station to commute downtown, and then around town.

It is the cutest little bike, and they put a bike rack on it and I bought a bag for it so I can cram all my work stuff or library books.

[redrhodie]

Put the saddle up. Keep practicing. It gets easier.

[SouthernBelle]

Are you trying to place both feet on the ground?

Don't.

One foot on the ground, the other on the pedal, push.

[grey]

Getting on and off with the saddle higher will get easier. I'm helping my neighbor with this too.

[SadieKate]

Are you trying to place both feet on the ground?

Don't.

One foot on the ground, the other on the pedal, push.

And lift your butt onto the saddle as you push off. Don't try to sit on it first.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Keep slowly raising the seat 1/2" or so every week until your leg goes *almost* straight when your pedal is at the low point in its circle. As you raise your seat you will notice less knee pain.

You're not supposed to be able to put both feet on the ground and still be sitting in your saddle. Even one foot should be tricky unless you have the bike tilted. You're supposed to move forward and off your seat with one foot on a pedal and the other foot coming down on the ground. When you are stopped, you should have one foot on the ground, the other on one pedal, and your crotch over the top tube, not on the saddle.
Practice will make it easier and easier. And the knee pain will be your motivation to get your saddle up where it belongs.

Don't give up!

[wolfak]

That's a very cute bike. Everyone has great tips. It will get easier with time - just keep pedaling!

[pardes]

Platys, I know JUST what you mean. My knees don't hurt but I can't pedal as well as I could.

I'm 5'3" and have a 15" Trek 7.6 FX and I'm still trying to get the seat UP WHERE IT BELONGS. Heck, after a week of intense struggle, I finally conquered swinging my leg over the saddle and off the bike without tripping. Had the seat been higher I'd still be stranded in my driveway with one foot stuck on the top bar.

As someone said, move the seat up half an inch at a time till it's right. I doubt I'll ever get my seat all the way up like the pros but I can settle for comfort and security.

[platys]

I road my bike to the train!

Of course, I got caught in a thunderstorm and I ended up completely soaked. So now I'm sitting at work in comfy clothes bought at Walgreens while my work clothes dry out.

So, I need a poncho.

Moving the bike seat up some is helping - I"ll keep working on it. I road it around more last night, and that helped with the whole balance thing.

It is true that you never forget how to ride a bike, but you do forget, like, how to start and stop and get off and not fall down at stop lights...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good for you Platys!
Don't stress, just take it slowly and it will all come naturally.

[redrhodie]

Good job!

One thing that helped me (I was a too low saddle rider at first) was to watch my BF start and stop on his bike. Once I could analyze the dynamics of stepping on the pedal as I was lifting onto the seat, it made sense.

[rhyme]

This is a great thread. Lately I've started to wonder about my bike .... like the position I was in was just kind of odd - I felt like I needed a longer distance between myself and the handlebars - the natural tendency was to sit further back on the seat to give myself a little extra room to drag out, which just isn't comfortable. I wondered if maybe this is what people meant about bike geometry, and maybe this bike just wasn't right for my ill shapen body. But then I just started wondering if my legs weren't extending enough -- I felt like if I could just extend a bit more, I'd probably have a lot more power.

I mentioned it to a friend of mine who isn't a newbie, and he asked how much more I thought I could extend my legs..... I replied at least three inches to a fully extended leg.. and i could sit on the bike with both feet squarely flat to the ground. He suggested im an idiot.

Fixed it today, looking forward to seeing what its like after this.

[mimitabby]

I mentioned it to a friend of mine who isn't a newbie, and he asked how much more I thought I could extend my legs..... I replied at least three inches to a fully extended leg.. and i could sit on the bike with both feet squarely flat to the ground. He suggested im an idiot.

Fixed it today, looking forward to seeing what its like after this.

OW!! that's really hard on your knees to ride with the seat that low. Do come back and tell us about the improvement.

[KatiePickle]

I think this article and video from Sheldon Brown says it best:

http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html

[rij73]

He suggested im an idiot.

Well, that was a little harsh, but at least he only suggested it!

Good luck... You really do need to raise the saddle.