New bike and ouch my knees!

[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.

[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.

[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.