Too much, too soon

[goldfinch]

I understand. When I first retired things that brought me pleasure were doing bead work while watching HGTV and reading novels.

I got into birding through my sister. She got me outside identifying birds when I went to visit her in SoCal. It was addicting and appealed to the scientist that still remains in me that likes studying and categorizing.

So, I guess I should thank my dear sister for inspiring me to move around and do things.

Good news: My bike and I have an appointment tomorrow in Burlington, Iowa for a bike fitting.

[goldfinch]

I went for my bike fit session today. The cost was $85 and he spent two and a half hours with me and my bike, a Cannondale Quick 4.

I had my seat way too high. By about an inch. I think I was making up for the handle bars which were as low as I thought they could go. He lowered the handlebars further by turning the stem upside down. He moved the seat back substantially. Now I know why I always would try to scoot backwards. I needed to move back! He cut off a half an inch on each end of my handlebars and moved the grips inward. I always felt splayed out on the bars. That was the biggest comfort difference for me. Huge.

I rode about 2.5 miles at the shop trying out seats and the changes.

I got a new seat. This is the risky part of the day as I bought a Terry Butterfly carbon. He gave me a good price, much better than the online prices. It feels a lot better than the stock seat but I can't really tell until I put a bunch of miles on it. It matches up OK with my sit bone differential, which was larger than I expected given that I am a very small boned person. For the first time I am riding with a level seat and not squirming around.

It does feel a bit odd to have dropped my seat down. I guess I got used to being stretched out too much.

Things that I learned:

--I told the place where I bought the bike that I felt the handlebars were too wide. It was my only complaint about the bike and it was a complaint I had about every flat bar bike. They did not suggest cutting them down. That is disappointing.
--The rough fit done at the place where I bought the bike was a seat height adjustment only and removal of a spacer on the handlebars. I have no idea if they originally set the seat at the right height because I messed around with it a lot trying to get comfortable. I should have sprung for a real fitting when I bought the bike as the seat has always been too far forward. But I was passing through town and in a rush. But I've only had the bike a month so I guess it is not so bad to have waited.
--The stock seat on the extra small women's specific Quick 4 is a men's seat and is very long. Gee thanks Cannondale. The seat was unlikely to fit anyone that would fit this very small bike.
--I bought the correct size bike by getting this very small frame. Props to Cannondale for making such a small frame available. My arms are short. The smallest comparable Trek, which I also looked at, would likely have been too big. Several bike stores tried to sell me the smallest Trek. One even tried to sell me one size up from the smallest Trek.
--The stock handlebars are too wide and not proportionately reduced on the very small frame size. Even if I would have bought the most expensive Cannondale Quick the bars would be too wide.

Interesting learning experience! I hope it pays off. I'll know more when I ride over the next few days.

[Velocivixen]

Oooh, I'm so happy that you got fit. I'll be interested to hear how you like your new ride after you've had a chance to try it out some more.

I had my bike for about a month before I got a professional fitting and I noticed a difference right away (seat higher, and back, shorter stem).

Good job and thanks for sharing.

[goldfinch]

I rode for 10 miles this morning and the bike/goldfinch relationship is on track. The seat remains level and acceptable (my rear is still a touch sore from before). My neck and shoulders feel relaxed with the narrower bars. My hands feel acceptable after fussing to get the ergon grips at the right angle. I am now used to the lower seat. No knee or leg problems of any kind. No numb foot.

Most importantly, I made it up a hill today that I have been unable to conquer.

[Bike Chick]

How wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it. I hope the relationship continues to improve!

BTW, I have friends that I go on bike trips with from Burlington and Keokuk, Iowa. Nice part of the country!

[goldfinch]

How wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it. I hope the relationship continues to improve!

BTW, I have friends that I go on bike trips with from Burlington and Keokuk, Iowa. Nice part of the country!

Yes, it is beautiful. I don't really know my way around yet and I am leaving for my home base of Minnesota in a couple of weeks. I think that I will miss Iowa.

[jobob]

I came across this thread for the first time just now, and reading through the posts was like reading a suspense novel ... "How will the fitting turn out? Will she and her bike be friends again?" I could hardly wait to get to the end of the thread and find out.

And it didn't disappoint -- I love happy endings. I'm glad the fit worked out well for you.

And I'm really impressed with what your doing.