3 things... Seat height, people who don't indicate, phone as camera

[mmace]

I'm a casual cyclist, I used to cycle for fun to work 3.2 miles away, recently though (2 months ago) I got a job in Leeds city centre so I am cycling every day and loving it, I hate the bus and we aren't allowed to park at work unless we are working the night or weekend shift.

1) how high should my seat be? my legs don't straighten when I'm riding, I feel like they should, any advice? (it's a new bike I bought it last week

2) why don't drivers indicate???
I've been doing the commute into the city centre for 2 months now and before that I was cycling to work in the other direction (less cars) for about a year or so, never had any problems, then, yesterday on the way to work I was approaching a major junction downhill, lights had just turned to green so I got up to nearly 30mph, as I got to the lights someone cut across me & the cycle lane (while I was at the side of them!!!) to go left without indicating, I "slammed all on", managed to stop and punch his car, he had no idea I was there or what was going on
The same night, on the way home exactly the same thing happened except on the flat so not as fast, only this time it was a big council van with a young driver, again I was along side it approaching a red light so I was luckily going very slow. He tried to speed off once I punched his van (I'm a big bloke!) but the lights were at red for him too so I caught up to him and had words, he looked petrified and wound his window up, no apology (I didn't start shouting and swearing, just pointing out what he did wrong
for those who know the area, both were on the A65, the first one was at Kirkstall lights heading into Leeds outside Kirkstall Leisure Centre, the 2nd one coming out of town with the van turning in to Vue Cinema's
I think I need a horn!

3) I use my phone as my bike computer to track speed, distance, pace, elevation etc. Does any use their phone as a camera to film their journeys?
After point number 2 I'm tempted to use mine as one, the problem is that it is mounted on my handlebars so I have a feeling the images will be bouncing all over the place. Anyone have a handlebar mounted camera I can view footage of?
It's an android phone so can do both at once with no problem

Oh, and don't always presume people with earphones in are listening to loud music when cycling! (I've read some posts on here!)
I have mine in as my phone gives me feedback on speed, pace, distance etc and I cannot hear that without earphones!

 

[upsidedown]

Hi

1, i've always found that with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke your leg should be slightly bent, with your knee just unlocked if that makes sense. Saddle should be as horizontal as you can get it. Adjust it so that you can reach the bars without any stretching.


2, don't know the area but you will get better at anticipating these moves. Try to stay calm as getting wound up makes you ride more aggrssively. In my experience this makes the ride more dangerous.

3, don't use my phone as a camera. I ride for the pleasure of it, not as an evidence gathering exercise. There are plenty on here though that film every day.

Enjoy your commutes and stay safe.

 

[BenM]

my legs don't straighten when I'm riding, I feel like they should

Your legs should be a little bent at the knee at their straightest.

Piont 2... You get idiots in all areas of life, unfortunately they also drive lethal weapons... some even ride bikes (perish the thought!)

Point 3... Generally frame/handlebar footage is very shaky (unless you have a well adjusted full sus bike or are riding on uncommonly smooth roads). Helmet mounted cams have the benefit of your body as a vibration suppressor.

 

[HLaB]

1) if you look arond on the forum you'll probably find clearer instructions but a rough guide if you put your heel on the pedal and you can almost (not quite) straighten yor leg; your saddle is at the correct height and you'll pedal more efficiently.

2) unfortunately there's idiots out there the only thing you can sensibly do is cycle defensively, cycle lanes tend to encourage cyclist to the left of traffic which as you found can be perilous, especially at junction. You'll probably see some wiser cyclists that move out as they approach them; it reduces these occurences and give you more room to escape the odd time it happens. Folk on this forum reccomend the book, Cycle Craft as a good guide to defensive cycling.

3) Ive only used my old camera phone on the bike and results were terrible but the camera was terrible I'm sure new phones will be better. I put mine in a phone case and clipped in my chest pocket with just the lens poking out. More recently I have an ATC 5K bar mounted and whilst results are better they are not great; other folk on the forum post better footage with other cameras.

4) And most of all, enjoy

 

[DrSquirrel]

#2

I assume there was 2 lanes here, as a cycle lane isn't the place to start doing 30mph (or even 20 etc) up the inside of cars, regardless of if they all indicated their intentions! I think even with 2 lanes you need to becareful and try not to overtake cars through junctions even in your own lane (match your speed).

#3

Look at youtube links in various user signatures on this forum. You can get dedicated cameras from £10 up to £600 easily (and above but if you were going to spend this you wouldn't be asking this question).

 

[mr_cellophane]

#2 - Most drivers still remember their training of Mirror, Signal, Maneuver.   As you have found they if they don't do the first step, there is no need to do the second.   

 

[Jezston]

"1) how high should my seat be? my legs don't straighten when I'm riding, I feel like they should, any advice? (it's a new bike I bought it last week"

I'd really recommend taking yourself and your bike into a shop to get yourself set up. Where did you buy your bike? If it was from a decent bike shop, going in there and have a chat with them to see if they can help you out, perhaps for a small fee. Seat height, position, angle, handlebar height and angle should be set up to fit your dimensions or you can get problems. I had (have) problems with my knees due to a badly set up bike. Do it!

"2) why don't drivers indicate???"
Because everyone is or can be an idiot. Remember that! Always consider what stupid things the cars around you could do and always be ready for it.
"I think I need a horn!"
Look up 'Airzound'. Use sparingly - but yes they are VERY useful.

"3) Does any use their phone as a camera to film their journeys?"
I considered it as I'd like to record my journeys but can't afford a decent headcam at the moment. Issue was with mounting, and not wanting an expensive device and only method of distant communication I owned flying off and getting crushed under the wheels of a lorry!

"Oh, and don't always presume people with earphones in are listening to loud music when cycling! (I've read some posts on here!)
I have mine in as my phone gives me feedback on speed, pace, distance etc and I cannot hear that without earphones!"
Me too - and delivering GPS info from my phone whilst riding. I also sometimes listen to loud music too! But I've been over this far too often already to be bothered to go over it again. Conclusion was - some people just won't acknowledge how right I am

 

[Simba]

The way I get my saddle the correct height is simple.

I sit on the bike with someone holding it steady, put my heal on the pedal and once my leg is straight then its the correct height. As when you put your foot on the pedal correctly, ie the ball of your foot then there will be a slight bend.

 

[Amanda P]

Point #2. The way to stop these things happening (a left hook, we call it) is not to be to a driver's left on the approach to a junction.

These and many other useful tricks are probably best learned by specific training. You can find out who can give you this by looking here. I'd really recommend it.

 

[boydj]

#2 - you definitely need to take a wider position on the road as your speed gets up close to that of the traffic round about you, particularly near junctions. It forces drivers to register your presence, and then, hopefully, drive appropriately. At 30 mph, you should be well out towards the centre of the lane.