"jminer" (jminer)
02/19/2019 at 22:50 • Filed to: None
5
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"jminer" (jminer)
02/19/2019 at 22:50 • Filed to: None | 5
| 29 |
So I used to ride a bicycle a lot of off-road and on trails when younger and have been toying with picking up a bicycle this winter at my wife’s loving suggestion that I need to do more cardio...
Damn these things are expensive! Went into a Trek store nearby and they tried to sell me a $2k bike as mid-range . I love motorcycling and am pretty sure this is something I’ll stick with but I don’t want to drop that much to get started on a hobby.
So I stopped by a local bike shop that’s a few blocks from where I work downtown a couple weeks ago. They were awesome - super nice and helpful and showed me several bikes in the $6-800 range which I was much more comfortable in. If you’re near St Louis and need a bike shop stop by Big Shark, they’re awesome!
I ended up buying a Reid Granite 1.0 bike. They call it a gravel bike, it’s kind of a street bike with an aluminum fork with clearance for wider tires (will fit up to 40c tires ).
I love the color and the fit of it and compared to the steel bikes I used to bomb around on 20 years ago this thing is light and refined as hell!
The bike has been taken out and ridden on pavement around a park near me, but I expect to take it out more as the weather warms. We’ve had snow on the ground for the last several weeks so it’s been staring at me in the living room. It also just fits in the back of my sportwagen but I’ve put on crossbars since this pic and will have to get a bike mounting rail too.
So Oppos - any tips for a guy who hasn’t ridden a bicycle in 10 years to enjoy it and not hurt himself?
atfsgeoff
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:03 |
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Don’t kill yourself mashing up hills. Low gears are there for a reason, there is no shame in using granny gear to make it up a long hill. There is also no shame in taking a break halfway up if you need to catch your breath, especially first starting out. Very important if you live in a hilly or mountainous area.
benjrblant
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:06 |
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What kind of riding do you see yourself doing with it? If gravel is your thing, get good tires.
AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:14 |
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Slightly embarrassing confession. I don’t actually know how to ride a bike and I was trying to learn this past summer but the area between my a$$hole and gentleman’s sausage hurt incredibly bad while learning . Like that area was just completely numb for the rest of the day.
Is that normal? Or is that a sign I had something adjusted incorrectly?
CB
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:14 |
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Start small in terms of distance. I used to do 50 km bike rides with no problem. Now, I’d probably have to ride around a bit and build up to it.
XJDano
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:15 |
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Bootleggers Run trail by the GO APE zip line. (Creve Cour Park) We walked it a few times last year and it’s a good deal on the feet. We see bikers there all the time. Apparently it was made by a bike cop, who introduced himself when my wife was taking kids last summer.
https://gorctrails.com/trails/creve-coeur-lake
That is all I know about off-road biking, and we try to step off the path if we hear them coming.
Chariotoflove
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:23 |
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God bless the neighborhood bike shop. A good one will always help you find what you need and take care of you.
Take it slow, don’t push too hard getting started. Your body will get the hang back pretty quickly. Ask your bike shop about group rides. Chances are they know of some that meet. There are often rides for all levels.
facw
> jminer
02/19/2019 at 23:29 |
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Depends on what you are doing, but I do strongly recommend replacing the pedals and shoes with some sort of cleat system. I use these SPD half and half ones:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZ2AGO (they weren’t anywhere near $90 when I got them though, which probably means they been replaced by a newer model )
There are several systems out there with pluses and minuses, but for me at least, it’s a way better riding experience.
For winter training I’ve been using a cheap (comparatively, but not in absolute terms) bike trainer with power meter and Zwift (there a more serious apps, but I find riding with it a lot more fun). Unfortunately the model I have doesn’t seem to be sold anywhere, and similar products are pretty expensive (and connected variable resistance trainers are really expensive).
TheRealBicycleBuck
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/19/2019 at 23:57 |
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Not normal. It’s a clear sign that something is not adjusted properly, you have the wrong saddle for your body shape/size, or you aren’t wearing the right gear. Your weight should be on the sit-bones, not on the perineum.
Saddles are a really personal thing and having the right saddle to match your pelvis width is an important part of getting a good fit. Think of it like a pair of shoes. If you get the wrong size, the footbed won’t fit your feet properly and put pressure on the wrong parts of your feet. That’s a good way to injure yourself.
Whatever you do, don’t get a gel saddle cover. The sit bones will put pressure on the cover and squish the gel to the middle, putting even more pressure on your perineum.
A good idea is to go to a bike shop and get fitted. They are usually willing to let you try out a number of saddles so you can find one that fits. It will cost $100-$200, but it’s like getting a tailor-fit suit. Learn as much you can during the fitting so you know how to adjust the bike as your fitness improves.
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AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> TheRealBicycleBuck
02/20/2019 at 00:01 |
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That makes me feel slightly better. I’ve always had this problem with bikes. So it sounds like I just need someone who knows what they’re doing to fit me for a seat.
Could this problem also be caused by leaning too far forward?
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facw
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/20/2019 at 00:12 |
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Not normal. Could be as simple as needing to adjust the seat post and seat, but you might want a different saddle. Saddle preferences vary tremendously based on the rider, and how they are riding. I use this one:
Well then non-pro version. Provides a relatively wide contact area for my sit bones, while having a modest cut out to relieve pressure on the perineum.
You can look around for something that looks right, or ask a local bike shop to help you pick one.
It’s unlikely, but if you try to ride a bike equipped with a woman’s saddle it may be especially uncomfortable, as they will put pressure in the wrong place and poke you.
Also road bikes especially may use very stiff saddles. For these (or just for general comfort), you want shorts with a chamois. I mostly wear Pearl Izumi mesh liner shorts (with shorts over, no one wants to see me in spandex, and these are just a mesh anyway). I don’t think that’s the cause of your issue though, as padded cycling shorts may reduce chafing or pressure on the sit bones, but you shouldn’t have pressure on the perineum regardless.
All that said, while I would adjust (and possibly swap) your saddle, it’s also true that riding more should naturally decrease the pressure as you should build up some core strength that will help you transfer your weight away from the seat.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 00:16 |
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Nice bike! I really like the new gravel bikes.
Take it slow. Get some riding shorts. Upgrade to clipless pedals and a good pair of riding shoes. Don’t over-pressurize the tires. The 32C tires on that bike shouldn’t be inflated like a set of narrow road tires. Don’t be afraid of a set of fenders. They really make a big difference when the roads are wet. With all that space, you have plenty of room for the tires and a decent set of fenders.
It looks like your bike is set up fairly aggressively with the saddle height at or higher than the bars. You will probably want a less aggressive position until you get used to riding again. You’ll know after your first long ride. While I don’t like them as a long-term solution, an adjustable stem is a good idea when you are getting started again. With the old quill stem design, we could just loosen a nut and raise the bars. With threadless, you either have to swap the stem or put on an adjustable one. It’s a good way to figure out exactly what stem length and angle you want to ride long-term.
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AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> facw
02/20/2019 at 00:34 |
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The female thing may be the issue since I was riding my girlfriend’s bike. That’s awkward.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/20/2019 at 00:35 |
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Yes, that could be a factor. The angle of the seat matters too. Saddles with a central cutout help, but don’t fall for the butt-cheek saddles. The nose of the saddle is an important component for controlling the bicycle.
This is BAD:
Thin saddles look really uncomfortable, but are really better for your backside. Instead of padding the saddle, riders pad their butts by wearing a good set of riding shorts with a chamois pad. This lets the rider customize the padding. Putting the padding there also lets it move with the rider, preventing chafing.
My two favorite saddles are a WTB Speed on my mountain bike :
and a Brooks B-17 on my cyclocross/road/do everything bike:
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jminer
> TheRealBicycleBuck
02/20/2019 at 00:42 |
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Yeah, I’ll be tinkering with the height. It’s setup more for road now as I’m fairly tall.
New pedals are going to wait until I get more comfortable on it.
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jminer
> Chariotoflove
02/20/2019 at 00:43 |
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Yeah, they have a few but it’s still firmly winter in St Louis right now.
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jminer
> XJDano
02/20/2019 at 00:45 |
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Thanks for the tip. I’ll definitely give it a ride.
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jminer
> CB
02/20/2019 at 00:52 |
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That’s the plan to start slow and work up to it again.
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jminer
> benjrblant
02/20/2019 at 00:55 |
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A combo of pavement through parks around here (we have a lot of bike paths around through the green spaces) and dirt/gravel roads through conservation areas around here. Nothing too extreme but a combo of miles for fitness and then exploring. The Katy trail is near as well so I’ll surely hit it a fair bit eventually.
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jminer
> atfsgeoff
02/20/2019 at 00:56 |
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I kayak a fair bit as well and it’s critical to know your limits there so I’m familiar with restraint. I used to push through it but I’ve aged enough that I have to slow down and be more careful...
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jminer
> facw
02/20/2019 at 01:00 |
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I thought about picking up a trainer, but haven’t yet.
I’m not mentally ready for cleats yet, I imagine after I ride for a while that will change. Thanks for the advice in the meantime though.
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facw
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 01:16 |
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With the shoes I was a bit worried because people talked about falling etc, but I just set the tension low (so I could click-out easily), and got the hang of things right away. From my experience, I wouldn’t let it intimidate you (and of course with the dual platform pedals you can ride on the backside if you don’t want to click in)
The trainer is more rewarding than I would have expected, though I would like a little more resistance, and as I say, if on top of that programs could control that resistance to match the route/training, that would be really good, but not so much that I want to spend 600+ on a real smart trainer. They are sort of loud to (mostly from the bike itself at least with a fluid trainer, so I don’t think a better unit would quiet it down much).
SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 05:59 |
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Nice choice. Reid branded bicycles are basic but decently equipped for the coin. As always, the wheels will be the most basic things on them.
Unless you plan to run pure gravel I’d come back a bit on the tyres to something like 28C. I run Pirelli 4S tyres in this size and they are a very nice compromise...even on sandy corru gations.
Next trick is to take it easy and slow. Start with 5 miles at a time and work your way into into it. Once you can comfortably ride 10 miles in an hour then work your ride times out to 2 hours...just once a week is enough. More dirt the better!
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Chariotoflove
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 08:51 |
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Well there is that little snag.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 16:25 |
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Just go nuts and drop into a downhill bike park. If you survive, then you know it's your thing!
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jminer
> SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
02/20/2019 at 16:39 |
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T hat’s what sold me on it . Pretty well put together and $400 less than anything comparable with a decent enough frame to both run for a while as-is and be worth upgrading components later if I get serious.
Thanks for the recommendations on the tires.
I plan on once it warms up a little more take it into work and ride it either during lunch or at the end of the day before I go home. There are miles of paths along the Mississippi river here.
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jminer
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/20/2019 at 16:42 |
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When I was young and indestructible I used to do that. Not in parks, but through the hills and canyons of the Ozarks here. I’m surprised I survived it all blasting through the woods with no trails and terrifying speed when I look back at it.
I’ve tamed down a bit now that I’m in my 30's and realize I am no longer indestructible .
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jminer
> facw
02/20/2019 at 16:47 |
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Clip- ons are probably going to go on later this summer. I’m cheap and have spent enough at the moment until I log some more hours on the bike for sure.
The guys at the shop talked me out of picking up a trainer. I can realistically ride 9 months out of the year here as I don’t mind the cold. If it’s north of 40 I’m good to kayak so I imagine riding in that weather won’t bother me either. I just bought it while there is snow on the ground and it’s in the 20's...
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> jminer
02/20/2019 at 19:51 |
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That’s what pads are for
I know what you mean though. I've definitely slowed down a lot now that I'm in my 30's. My sense of mortality has caught up with me.
Grindintosecond
> jminer
03/20/2019 at 11:07 |
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Look up some general fitment guidelines. I got a pro fit done once and it was a huge difference in comfort especially for longer times out there. You don’t need a $200 pro fit just getting started but there are things you can do at home for free that will get you 90% there.”Knee-over-pedal” positions and the reach and things like that.
ease into it. ride a few times a week on shorter trips to get started, so your butt gets used to being on a saddle again.
And hit that KATY trail! it goes all the way to KC now. If you need a challenge, The record from KC-STL on that is under 13 hours lol.