Bonjour from Montreal!

[Crankin]

Helene, it seems like there is some anxiety surrounding riding for you; I can actually relate, and I've been riding a long time. Getting a flat is part of riding. Learn how to change a flat, and carry the appropriate tools, so even if it's hard, you have the tools and someone could help. Try visualizing yourself riding, carefree, down the road. Do some deep breathing before and as you start riding, and find a mantra to say to yourself while you are riding. In fact, I think we had a thread about mantras for riding somewhere.
I did find that the 25c tires made a difference in my feeling of stability; it doesn't seem like 2 cm would make a difference, but it did. In the end, you may have to find a different bike to feel comfortable. And stay away from shop guys and racer types that might push you in a direction that you don't want to go.

[OakLeaf]

It does take some time to get used to a bike that's less stable. That's completely normal. I still remember when I first got my race bike - which is more of a roadrace geometry, not as tight as a criterium bike. Even though I'd ridden tens of thousands of miles on diamond frame bikes, commuting, day riding, and touring loaded and solo all over the region - they'd all been relaxed frames. My race bike felt super twitchy to me, and it wasn't a good feeling at first. But I got used to it. And I grew to love the responsiveness. Give yourself a chance and you will, too.

Now, obviously I don't know how well this particular bike fits you, but if you're talking about all the discomfort you had on your old bike that you're not having on this one, that's a good sign that it fits you well. But, if your steering is extra twitchy because your stem is super short, then that could mean the frame is too big for you. Do you know how long the stem is? (Sometimes the stem dimensions are stamped on it, but that depends on the brand.)

As far as the handlebar width ... having bars of the right width is really important for comfort, but it could go either way as far as your feeling of control.

Are you keeping a nervous death-grip on the bars? That can make your movements jerky, and translate into a twitchy feeling.

Is there a rider skills class in your area that you can take? Those can be super helpful for learning your way around a new bike.

Anyway, good luck and welcome to TE!

[Helene2013]

ahhh. I wrote something and when I pressed on the post button, it was all gone. So let's try again and bear with me if 2-3 replies or similar appears all of a sudden.

You are right. It is mostly anxiety. And certainly not major reasons to stress. Yes I am afraid of falling. Maybe because I've been injured and into physiotherapy since this past Jan (and last treatments were 2 weeks ago). So very long time in PT - not counting previous knee surgery, so all remain fragile. Still not allowed to run, but allowed to cycle. Nothing requiring knee shocks, or elbow (had 2 minor tears - but ok for now) for that matter. So that too scares me.

We are more than equipped for tires. So the changing part is not worrying me. It's more my reaction if I get a flat (never encountered that with the hybrid) so that part stresses me a lot. The fact it is carbon and I found out later (after purchase) that Kuota had a bad reputation for carbon bike frame breaking in 2 while riding and injuries occured. From what LBS told me after, it was true. Kuota changed their way of making bikes and it should not happen again. At least under normal riding.

I will look up that Mantra thread tonight (at work now and not supposed to be surfing. hihi)

I will also order new tires (and I suppose tubes to match tires) and see how better I feel on the bike.

If that does not work, and time does not help, I will put that bike on a trainer for the winter and get a new bike next spring. There is so much stress I can handle. It is supposed to be fun...not stressing to be riding. hahahaha

Anyone know where to get the best tires (tubes) on-line? Not necessarily the high-end priced ones. If I can have pink on the tires, that would be the cherry on the sundae. I want tires to be comfortable. I don't care about the floating on air while riding and racing like the coyote.

You are also right in the sense that it does take time to learn on such bike. Which I was not expecting at all. Thus may be my exaggerated stress riding. I mean, we’ve been riding bikes since we’re probably 3YO…and at 50YO I’m having these issues. Hahaha

From what I understand, my fit is perfect. No pain, no discomfort from riding it, very comfy. BUT! Yes I do have a too- tight grip on the handles and I know it. Only feel pressure on my palms and it will create soreness to the point of numbing my little finger on right hand until I relax the grip. I have gel padded gloves and it will still hurt from too much grip. I’ve been told also to add end-bar to my handlebar to get a different hand position, which is lost when I switched from those road bars to flat bar.

So with this bike, I have to remind myself, “let go of the tight grip. You won’t control the bike better and will only get sore hands with white knuckles”. hihi. So yes I do talk to myself. It sounds worse than it is too actually. From what others have told me, my position on the bike looks very good. I ride very straight - no swaying, very stable (from what I've been).

I don’t know what the stem length is. Would have to look it up. I’m sure the day I relax my grip on the bar it will change the “riding” a lot too.

I don’t know of such classes in the area. They are all bike clubs, with mostly guys and it’s whom is going to be faster than the next. Even hubby has issues with it because they (most cyclists) do not ride for fun and leisure but for speed. But hubby loves his club riding most of the time. He has some buddies he likes to ride with side-by-side but other than this, they are really tough. And most classes I’ve read about are either spinning, or those power cadence or whatever classes. So nothing really for starters. 

Thank you for hearing me. Feels much better than the board I was on before where it was macho and testosterone kicking in and not understanding how we, women, can feel sometimes and turn everything into a joke.

[Crankin]

In the States, the League of American Bicyclists sponsors such classes. They are called Road Skills... Perhaps some of our Canadien members can help suggesting something? Here in the Boston area, we also have a couple of Bicycle schools that teach skills to all ages. I think Hirakukibou had an 80 y/o client one time!
Who told you that Kuotas crash, break, and cause bad injuries more than other carbon bikes? My husband and I have had Kuotas since 2006. I have crashed more than once and have never had an issue. Stop listening to these people! Now, my crashes were not at super high speed, but still. DH's carbon Trek 550 *did* get half a broken fork in maybe 2004, when a squirrel ran into him on a 40 mph descent. However, he was not hurt, and he just replaced the fork. If you think about this stuff all of the time, you will never ride. It's called catastrophizing...
One hint is to look into outdoor clubs. The club I lead rides for is part of one. Hiking, paddling, x country skiing are the other activities. Cycling is a bit more relaxed with these groups. Our "slower" rides average 10-12 mph.

[Helene2013]

Thank you... I will look at all this for sure. One day I will be laughing at all of this when I become a "pro" on my road bike. hihi I really want to tame my beasty bike....and win that battle.

As for the Kuota breaking there is a whole thread on another forum about issues from Kuota and some guys had their bike break even 2-3 times, replaced under warranty, but the last was no longer covered (matter of warranty time-frame). Kuota (from what they said) is no longer in the Tour de France either, blablabla. Anyway, I read on the subject (about carbon snaps) and I did noticed that all manufacturers had issues with carbon at some point or another. So that calmed me down some. I can move on!

So as of now...when I get on the Pink Lady, I lead the ride...not her!! There!!!

[ny biker]

Re: flat tires. Some tires are made to be resistant to punctures. I've used Continental Gatorskins and have been very happy with them.

When I first got a road bike, after riding a mountain bike on both dirt and pavement, I felt very unstable. It took a few rides to get used to the thinner tires and different geometry. I suspect most people need to adjust to the different feel when they first get a road bike.

As for carbon frames, yes, sometimes they do crack, but that would happen because of a crash or some other impact on the frame. You can examine your frame and forks before every ride to make sure there are no abnormalities. I personally look the frame over whenever I clean the bike or clean and lube the chain.

[Helene2013]

Thank you NY biker for the information.

We are very careful with our bikes (have to at the price they cost). Hubby cleans them up after every outing. He's a maniac cleaning with anything that has wheels. If he could only do the dusting and floor washing just as much in the house. hihi I guess you can't get it all.

[ny biker]

Another thing occurred to me -- how much air is in your tires? The higher the pressure, the more you'll feel road vibrations, and that might contribute to the way you feel on the bike. I think the max for my tires is 120 psi, but I usually inflate them to about 100 psi. I could probably even go lower without risking pinch flats.

[Helene2013]

Hubby wrote me back. He said my tire pressure is at 120. So we'll try dropping it to 100 and see if it improves something. How's that for a start?

[Helene2013]

Hey! Me again.

I was googling for tires and came up with this App (which works on your computer too) to measure the recommended PSI for your tires.
http://www.vittoria.com/en/app/

According to them, I should have 100psi for front and 105psi for back. Will give a shot and see how it goes instead of the 120 currently.

[Helene2013]

Miracles do happen, or is it listening to all your good recommendations and things to try!

First of all, let's say I was truly frustrated Thursday morning. I was at work and as I was getting up from my chair, I felt a pain in my lower back (something I will have to have looked at, at some point as it comes back about every 6-8 months). Knowing that if I made a false move, I would have jammed my back. So at lunch time, I went to the drugstore in the building I work and got myself some homeo patches and some Robax something. I took more than I should have, used icepack and all. Hubby was a bit upset when I got home at night as we had booked a weekend camping outing just for biking. He knows when my back jams...it can be bad. I told him I'd go unless really too sore but he could bet on my going.

Anyway, long story short, I took those things, plus some Aleve pills, rest as much as possible and I was able to do my ride today with no pain whatsover. We could not cycle yesterday as we had rain all night before, and during the day it was a mess outside with the drizzle, the rain on/off. Top this off with a hemorroids and it is a great cycling combo. But believe it or not, I was never ever sore on the saddle. Now I can't say the same thing tonight, even with the prescribed cream I use. hihi

Today I cycled 50kms with very good winds. The trail we used was going uphills for 25kms most of the time. Fun to return on the other side as you know most of it will be easier. This time we were tricked as the wind was on the return, and stronger than to go. So I found it was just as hard to go then come back.

I told my husband to drop my tire pressure from 120 to 105 (and 100) as it was recommended on the Vittoria site. So he did. He said I may get flat tires due to the fact that my tires are "softer". So what! Drop it.

It already made a huge difference. At least I think (you know sometimes when you want it so bad, imagination can kick in hihi). Even with the winds, I was able to feel my bike on the road instead of floating and not having steering control. I also liked that when I hit a bump or "not-as-good" road condition, I did not "banged" into the hole or the bump but smooth landed it. That's great.

Another thing I did, was look further away instead of trying to focus too much on the possibility of something I may land into and loose control (so I was trying to avoid catastrophizing like someone said. lol )

And the last, as soon as I had some type of a fear or negative thought, I pushed it away and thought of you girls.!!!! Cut it out!!!! It worked.

My bike is still the same bike. Nervous and all, but I will tame that beast. hihi

I'm also going to call my LBS tomorrow to see if he can get me the best tires in 25mm. By the way, do we need to change the tubes when we have 23mm tires actually and going on to those 25mm.

Anyway, wanted to give you all a good thank you for your support and tips on how to enjoy my rides more. It seems to work. We are planning to book next weekend also before winter hits us. Right now it feels good to be in cooler weather. I hate heat and this is becoming just perfect.

[Owlie]

Awesome!

99% of the time, the tubes you have should be fine. They're good for a range, usually 19-25mm or something. If your tire width falls in that range (inclusive), you're good to go!