Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.

To disable ads, please log-in.

Shop at TeamEstrogen.com for women's cycling apparel.

Results 1 to 15 of 34

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    10
    I may be trying to do stop and dismount in one motion. It just seemed easier before, but it may just take practice. I am not a naturally athletic person but its annoying, nevermind embarrasing, get tangled up in your own bike. Starting is actually easier on this bike.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Concord, MA
    Posts
    13,394
    It is hard to stop and dismount at the same time. You need to slow, lean your bike slightly to one side, and then put your foot down. You should be putting your foot down as you are at the point where you are almost stopped. Then, when one foot is firmly on the ground and you are stopped, you can swing your leg back and over to dismount.
    This will become more like one action , but it's not.
    2015 Trek Silque SSL
    Specialized Oura

    2011 Guru Praemio
    Specialized Oura
    2017 Specialized Ariel Sport

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    4,066
    It's just because this bike handles very differently from the one you're used to. Don't be embarrassed! As long as you can ride it you're doing great. Stopping and starting are the hardest points to learn, and if you've had a step-through it's just a balance movement that's completely new to you, nothing to do with your biking skills as such.

    Hey, I know my bike inside and outside, and fell over attached to it on the ice yesterday It's not that easy to stand still on two little patches of rubber, and I have the bruise to prove it.
    Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin

    1995 Kona Cinder Cone commuterFrankenbike/Selle Italia SLR Lady Gel Flow
    2008 white Nakamura Summit Custom mtb/Terry Falcon X
    2000 Schwinn Fastback Comp road bike/Specialized Jett

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    I dismount differently on all of my bikes. Generally I have to lean the bike over to swing my leg over it - and that is for all of my bikes. It depends on which bike as to how far I have to lean it over...

    You will find the best way that works for you - don't worry about it. Changing bike types absolutely requires a different way to start and stop, and our bodies need time in which to learn the best approach for that bike. Give yourself time and have fun!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    perpetual traveler
    Posts
    1,267
    It is so hard to put these types of things in words so here is a nice video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjH...eature=related

    Are you using clipless or clip on pedals? That adds another variable.
    Trek Madone 4.7 WSD
    Cannondale Quick4
    1969 Schwinn Collegiate, original owner
    Terry Classic


    Richard Feynman: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.”

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    A bike that's taller in front (handlebars, stem, head tube) is harder for me to dismount than a drop bar bici or sport moto. A lot more of most people's range of motion in the "splits" comes from hip flexion in the standing leg, than from extension in the leg you're swinging over the saddle, so if your bike's front end keeps you from hinging forward very far at the standing hip, it can be hard to get your leg over in the back.

    You always want to turn the handlebars away from the foot you plan to put down - because it induces the bike to lean toward that foot - but if that's an issue, maybe if you turned them even more, they would be less in the way of your head?

    Just something that occurred to me. Personally, I'm more likely to get tangled in a step-through frame if I actually try to step through it rather than dismounting the "regular" way. But that's probably just a matter of practice. I do like the convenience of being able to "stand up, coast in, step off" on a step-through - I've never been coordinated enough to do that on a diamond frame.
    Last edited by OakLeaf; 12-19-2011 at 06:48 PM.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    1,372
    Quote Originally Posted by goldfinch View Post
    It is so hard to put these types of things in words so here is a nice video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjH...eature=related

    Are you using clipless or clip on pedals? That adds another variable.
    Nice little vid.

    I just wanted to add, I'm a klutz and not very flexible. To get off after she stops in the video, I do an awkward little side hop so the bike is leaning toward me and thus the top tube is lower to the ground then step over.
    I ride a bent now, an I still do this little shuffle to lower the amount of lift I need to get on/off. Looks awkward and geeky, but keeps me from falling over.
    My photoblog
    http://dragons-fly-peacefully.blogspot.com/
    Bacchetta Giro (recumbent commuter)
    Bacchetta Corsa (recumbent "fast" bike)
    Greespeed X3 (recumbent "just for fun" trike)
    Strada Velomobile
    I will never buy another bike!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    10
    I've been meaning to say how helpful that link was -- It took practice but I am dismounting well now. Thanks!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    10
    Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    Quote Originally Posted by bikegrrl View Post
    Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.
    Practice makes perfect The body has to learn things, just as our minds do. I remember when I first started learning how to ride 2 years ago (I am 52), getting things into my muscle memory was the most frustrating part - especially as I am the kind of woman who wants to go full-steam ahead with whatever I do

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    2,545
    Quote Originally Posted by bikegrrl View Post
    Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.
    It was definitely a balance issue for me. I can't really explain it, but I have to make sure my foot is firmly grounded before I swing my leg over.

    I'm sure practice will make it better.

 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •