Jamis Aurora + Brooks + TE advice = Happy

[SLash]

Thanks to all of you who have made suggestions both to me directly and just in general on the forum about fit issues with my Brooks saddle and new Jamis Aurora.

I went back to the lbs where I bought the bike, got refit and while there it seemed good. I brought the bike home, went for a ride and felt so terrible on it I turned around and went home. Two things stood out pretty quickly.

My saddle was too low and too far forward. I couldn't even ride it.

I decided to start from square 1. I measured my sit bones to make sure the Brooks B17 S does fit. It does, sit bones are 152mm and the S is 177mm wide.

Next was to slide it back as far as I could. Took my husband and I both but we got it slid back, messed with the angle and raised the seat post, I hoped for the best and took it out for a ride.

It immediately felt better. The other thing that REALLY stood out was it felt like my fit on my other bike, Scott CR1 Pro. Not exactly but damn close. I had not ridden my Scott in over 3 weeks but rode it 42 miles on Sunday and much of the time I thought how my Jamis might not ever feel that good.

Riding the Scott than riding the Jamis helped me to get my fit tuned in. Being the nut I am, I just took the tape measure and measured different things on both bikes and they were amazingly close. That gave me some confidence I'm in the ballpark of where I need to be on my fit.

I don't know why my refit at the shop was so far off. And I don't care at this point. I feel right on my Jamis/Brooks and for now that's good.

We leave for our tour of the Katy Trail Thursday and that will be my real test. If I feel like I still need to slide the saddle back I'll try a setback seatpost first, if that doesn't work I'll try the B17 non-S.

Again, I want to thank you all. Without the information I found here I would have been shooting in the dark. The saddle isn't broken in but I can ride without pain and I'm happy.

Here's a pic I took today, her name is Condor, I named her after Anne Mustoe's bike, in honor of her.



Susan

[roguedog]

... sorry if this is raining on your celebration....

Not sure what happened at your LBS but I would like to put in a word that maybe you should go elsewhere for a fit. I'd hate to have you put unnecessary pressure on your knees or hands because of an incorrect fit.

Also seems like you may need a different stem length if you want to push the seat farther back. I dunno.. something doesn't quite sound right but then maybe I'm ready your description incorrectly...

[SLash]

... sorry if this is raining on your celebration....

Not sure what happened at your LBS but I would like to put in a word that maybe you should go elsewhere for a fit. I'd hate to have you put unnecessary pressure on your knees or hands because of an incorrect fit.

Also seems like you may need a different stem length if you want to push the seat farther back. I dunno.. something doesn't quite sound right but then maybe I'm ready your description incorrectly...

No need to apologize. If I need another fit (if I have pain, soreness, etc.) I'll get one either from someone else at that lbs or another one. I would have no problem doing that if needed, but I've been riding long enough that I can tell when it fits and when it doesn't. I have been tweaking my fit on my Jamis since I got it, or more accurately, since I got the Brooks on my Jamis.

The cockpit part of the bike feels fine, I don't think a stem change is needed. The need to push the saddle back comes from the fact that the Brooks B17S has incredibly short rails and it was way too forward. However, after pushing it back, checking knee position in relation to pedal axle has it where it needs to be. The only issue at this point as far as discomfort is the hard, board like Brooks. I only have about 150 miles on it so still breaking in to do.

I feel like I have my position dialed in but if I don't I'll change it. We will have tools with us, there are bike shops in many of the towns along the trail, so I think I'll be okay. I'm riding it again tomorrow just to check things out again. I've had no pain this evening since riding earlier today.

Just to be on the safe side, I'm also taking one of my other saddles, just in case the Brooks isn't cutting it. I don't think it will be an issue, but better to be safe than sorry.

I appreciate your feedback.

[uforgot]

I just looked at your pic and read your blog about the Katy. Snakes. Funny. I made a post last year about a couple I found on the trail. I really only see them when it's hot, but you just need to make sure you don't run over any sticks. Sometimes those sticks are snakes, but the trail is so straight, you can always see them in time. Just remember the stick theory. I've ridden the trail for years and rarely see any though so don't be overly concerned. As far as poison ivy is concerned, I think you would only get that if you went walking off the trail. It's kept very clear. The worst part, or the one paid the least attention is from Mokane to Portland. More brush closer to the road and a tree was down last time I was there, September I think, but I still don't see how you would get poison ivy from it. I never have.

There is a really cool winery right after Rocheport. You can park your bike at the bottom of the hill and walk up it to get there. It can't be seen from the trail and the hill to it is a killer! Also, Columbia, MO has a trail, about 7 miles long I think that you can take to it from the Katy. Well worth the detour. Columbia is a great town. Melalvai lives there and can give you some insider info as to where to go and what to see there. And you are going to Hermann aren't you? It's a beautiful town with a lot of history, hills and wineries!

Keep us posted on your ride. Would be kind of cool if some of us could join you on one of the days. I know there are a lot of St. Louis riders who have been trying to get some of us together to meet and ride the Katy.

[roguedog]

hey slash,

whew.. thanks. relieved in many ways. sounds like you know what you're doing. just didn't want someone hurting themselves somewhere down the line, especially as you embark on a great journey!

saw your bike.. really beautiful jamis. i like it. didn't know they made 'em w/ disks now. i love, love my brooks. keep at it and it'll eventually become your own butt couch i think i've got like 5k-7k on mine. course it's not for everyone but i love mine.

and thank you, thank you for the link to anne mustoe. must read. i read beryl markham's book about being a female aviator in the early days of flying and that was a great read!

man.. is there something about english women? i've always wondered that. especially during the turn of the 20th century.. what makes 'em wanna leave the comforts of house and home to go off to africa??

i guess american women were doing the same by leaving civilzation and heading off to homesteads. but i can understand that whole, "trying to make a better life thing" or "wanting something of my own" impetus.

i'm not sure the stimulus to leave comfortable houses w/ indoor plumbing and hot water and go harking off to some wild, undeveloped country.

hmm.. sorry. see! your blog has got my mind awandering! thanks

yes, i'm a wimp and i like my b n b's. can you tell? (someone pass me a home baked scone, plz)

[shootingstar]

i guess american women were doing the same by leaving civilzation and heading off to homesteads. but i can understand that whole, "trying to make a better life thing" or "wanting something of my own" impetus.

i'm not sure the stimulus to leave comfortable houses w/ indoor plumbing and hot water and go harking off to some wild, undeveloped country.

hmm.. sorry. see! your blog has got my mind awandering! thanks

yes, i'm a wimp and i like my b n b's. can you tell? (someone pass me a home baked scone, plz)

Slash tell us about your trip soon. HOpe the weather will be good for you.

Rogue, I used to pride myself for being a bit "tough" ..um....about 17 yrs. ago.
I didn't start camping and cycling until I was 32 yrs. I came from a non-camping family. It's a cultural thing..to "rough it". If one's family came from a developing country and were already poor in the rural areas, camping is the last thing they want to do/to learn when they get to North America. My parents came from homes in China that used firewood/similar for cooking.

But last time I camped was well over 12 yrs. ago.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

SLash,
it sounds like you are really getting a feel for dialing in the details of fit and comfort tailored to YOU and YOUR body. We are all built differently and our bikes are different too.
Unless you are truly uncomfortable, I'd suggest now that you ride for a while without changing anything. From my own experiences I found that letting myself ride for a good long while a certain way allowed me to more clearly sense what little thing(s) might need changing. If I changed and tweaked often, it was much harder to tell when something was improved or not. If there is pain of course, that requires more immediate attention.

Great that you are happy with the changes you made so far...and congratulations on having a beautiful new Jamis!

[sundial]

It immediately felt better. The other thing that REALLY stood out was it felt like my fit on my other bike, Scott CR1 Pro.
We leave for our tour of the Katy Trail Thursday and that will be my real test.

Oh good!! It makes ALL the difference in the world when the fit is dialed in. Just be sure and take your tool with you on the trail in case you need to make micro adjustments. Have a great ride on a classy bike.

[SLash]

I just looked at your pic and read your blog about the Katy. Snakes. Funny. I made a post last year about a couple I found on the trail. I really only see them when it's hot, but you just need to make sure you don't run over any sticks. Sometimes those sticks are snakes, but the trail is so straight, you can always see them in time. Just remember the stick theory. I've ridden the trail for years and rarely see any though so don't be overly concerned. As far as poison ivy is concerned, I think you would only get that if you went walking off the trail. It's kept very clear. The worst part, or the one paid the least attention is from Mokane to Portland. More brush closer to the road and a tree was down last time I was there, September I think, but I still don't see how you would get poison ivy from it. I never have.

There is a really cool winery right after Rocheport. You can park your bike at the bottom of the hill and walk up it to get there. It can't be seen from the trail and the hill to it is a killer! Also, Columbia, MO has a trail, about 7 miles long I think that you can take to it from the Katy. Well worth the detour. Columbia is a great town. Melalvai lives there and can give you some insider info as to where to go and what to see there. And you are going to Hermann aren't you? It's a beautiful town with a lot of history, hills and wineries!

Keep us posted on your ride. Would be kind of cool if some of us could join you on one of the days. I know there are a lot of St. Louis riders who have been trying to get some of us together to meet and ride the Katy.

Uforgot,

Thanks for the info about the winery, Columbia and the trail (including beware of sticks)!!

I'm not sure if I'll be adding posts to my blog during the trip (will write about it for sure after getting home), can't decide if I'll take my netbook with me. I want to "unplug" yet I want to write about the trip so haven't decided if I can trust myself to bring the netbook and not get on twitter, fb, etc. However I can do all that with my phone, so who am I kidding, I won't be "unplugged" anyway.

That would be cool if anyone from TE could ride with us on part of the ride. I'll be uploading pictures to picasa and will add a link on my blog.

Here is where we will be and the days we will be there (can't nail down times):
Friday 5/7 - Clinton to Sedalia
Saturday - Sedalia to Rocheport
Sunday - Rocheport to Jeff City
Monday - Jefferson City to Hermann (we visited Hermann when we went to Tour of Mo)
Tuesday - Hermann to Augusta
Wednesday - Augusta to St. Charles
Thursday - we shuttle back to Clinton then homeward.

We're going to visit the winery (walking up that hill), the b & b we're staying at is nearby. We also plan to ride to Columbia on the connector trail - thanks for the suggestion!!

Susan

[shootingstar]

I'm not sure if I'll be adding posts to my blog during the trip (will write about it for sure after getting home), can't decide if I'll take my netbook with me. I want to "unplug" yet I want to write about the trip so haven't decided if I can trust myself to bring the netbook and not get on twitter, fb, etc. However I can do all that with my phone, so who am I kidding, I won't be "unplugged" anyway.

That would be cool if anyone from TE could ride with us on part of the ride. I'll post the days/towns we'll be riding on my blog, no way to know times though. I'll be uploading pictures to picasa and will add a link on my blog.

Every public library most likely has a public Internet terminal for free time limited use.

Also if you use Wordpress blogware, you can easily email a post directly to your blog. You can even delay date of automatic publishing to the open Interent. Just follow their online instructions. One can email photos but I haven't tried that piece yet (and probably won't since I prefer to put text blocks around my photos.)

But first priority is to enjoy the trip, be in the moment. Electronic stuff is always later.

[SLash]

hey slash,

whew.. thanks. relieved in many ways. sounds like you know what you're doing. just didn't want someone hurting themselves somewhere down the line, especially as you embark on a great journey!

saw your bike.. really beautiful jamis. i like it. didn't know they made 'em w/ disks now. i love, love my brooks. keep at it and it'll eventually become your own butt couch i think i've got like 5k-7k on mine. course it's not for everyone but i love mine.

and thank you, thank you for the link to anne mustoe. must read. i read beryl markham's book about being a female aviator in the early days of flying and that was a great read!

man.. is there something about english women? i've always wondered that. especially during the turn of the 20th century.. what makes 'em wanna leave the comforts of house and home to go off to africa??

i guess american women were doing the same by leaving civilzation and heading off to homesteads. but i can understand that whole, "trying to make a better life thing" or "wanting something of my own" impetus.

i'm not sure the stimulus to leave comfortable houses w/ indoor plumbing and hot water and go harking off to some wild, undeveloped country.

hmm.. sorry. see! your blog has got my mind awandering! thanks

yes, i'm a wimp and i like my b n b's. can you tell? (someone pass me a home baked scone, plz)

Roguedog,

I agree completely, I am beyond amazed at what Anne Mustoe did! I love her books and I just hate that I didn't discover her until after she had died. That sounds silly, it's not like I was going to meet her or anything, but it just seems like such a loss that she's not with us anymore. It's just sad.

I think you would really enjoy her books. I'm reading the 2nd one now and will be taking it on our trip. She inspires me, everytime I feel wimpy or whiney on the bike I think of her and see how ridiculous whatever I'm complaining about is.

Another good book that your post made me think about (women and their/our courage and spirit) was Gail Collin's book, "America's Women, Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines". It's excellent.

[SLash]

SLash,
it sounds like you are really getting a feel for dialing in the details of fit and comfort tailored to YOU and YOUR body. We are all built differently and our bikes are different too.
Unless you are truly uncomfortable, I'd suggest now that you ride for a while without changing anything. From my own experiences I found that letting myself ride for a good long while a certain way allowed me to more clearly sense what little thing(s) might need changing. If I changed and tweaked often, it was much harder to tell when something was improved or not. If there is pain of course, that requires more immediate attention.

Great that you are happy with the changes you made so far...and congratulations on having a beautiful new Jamis!

Lisa, this is excellent advice and I'll follow it. I'm glad you suggested it. I know my fit if not there, is damn close and I could easily make it worse by tweaking and re-tweaking.

Thanks!

[SLash]

Every public library most likely has a public Internet terminal for free time limited use.

Also if you use Wordpress blogware, you can easily email a post directly to your blog. You can even delay date of automatic publishing to the open Interent. Just follow their online instructions. One can email photos but I haven't tried that piece yet (and probably won't since I prefer to put text blocks around my photos.)

But first priority is to enjoy the trip, be in the moment. Electronic stuff is always later.

Good idea about using libraries, I don't use Wordpress, but you're right - first priority enjoy trip, later, record it.

[SLash]

Oh good!! It makes ALL the difference in the world when the fit is dialed in. Just be sure and take your tool with you on the trail in case you need to make micro adjustments. Have a great ride on a classy bike.

I will carry my bike tool but I'm going to follow Lisa's advice and not change anything unless it's really bad. I can get "tweak" crazy, always thinking something could be a little better...

Thanks for calling Condor a classy bike, she'll like that!