Beginner Needs Help - so, HELP (please)

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kawasaki_dave

New Member
Location
Preston, Lancs
Hi All

I've just found the site and not only is it very interesting but also very informative. (Don't tell those on the motoring forum I moderate mind).

Mrs KD and I recently bought bikes from Halfrods (the cheap Shockwave jobbies) with the aim of getting fit. I have to be honest, I'm never going to be a cycle racer (I'll leave that to you guys and watch - I've also just joined the National Escort Group) but I would liketo complete a few miles with relative ease sometime soon (getting to the end of the road right now hurts)!

One of my major problems is saddle sores. The bike has the stock saddle which I'm led to believe aren't always superb. Have any of you ever come across Madison saddles? I'm looking at the G12...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MADISON-G12-G...5593314QQihZ008QQcategoryZ22693QQcmdZViewItem

at the moment as something that may be ideal for the first couple of months to get my rear end used to the bike before moving on to something firmer!

By the way, a little tip if I may be so bold - I generally work nights and get home between 2 and 4am - it's a fantastic time to cycle if you're sticking to lit roads as they're practically empty!
 
i use a rolls saddle , one of the cheapest you can get (ribble cycles preston) and haven't had any problems ,but saddle fit is a very personal thing.
i'd agree with cycling in the early hours. our ctc section has a 200 miles in 24 hours ride and the best bit for me is coming down through the lakes when it's just coming light on traffic free roads.
 

gavintc

Guru
Location
Southsea
People think soft saddles should be comfortable - they are, but only for a short distance. If you intend to ride for more than an hour, you need to think about getting a harder saddle and as User suggested, some padded shorts. These need not be the tight lycra option, but the baggier MTB short will also achieve the same effect.

It could also be that your saddle is too low. Most beginners ride with the saddle at a height that they can put both feet down onto the ground. This is uncomfortable and inefficient. You saddle should at a height that your leg is nearly straight when at full extension from saddle to pedal.

Good luck.
 

snorri

Legendary Member
kawasaki_dave said:
I'm never going to be a cycle racer

You will, you will, it might only be a race with the postman or the pensioner going for his newspaper, but you will become a racer.:rolleyes:
Regarding the seat, try not to overdo the miles at first. Lots of short trips are better for breaking in a seat and your posterior, rather than a few longer trips.;)
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
Hello and welcome, BTW. Good advice so far - the main thing is to make sure that your pelvis is taking your weight, not the softer bits, and that your clothing isn't chaffing. Padded shorts are good - and remember you can always wear them under baggy shorts or trousers if you don't fancy the lycra look.

And snorri's right about the racing I'm afraid. I never set out to ride at full tilt, but I always arrive out of breath...;)
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
gavintc said:
It could also be that your saddle is too low. Most beginners ride with the saddle at a height that they can put both feet down onto the ground.
My LBS marked my saddle height with a peice of tape when I bought the bike, since then it has gone up several times, and they keep changing the tape position, last time they commented on how much it had gone up by overall (I told them it was the last as any more I wouldn't be able to reach the ground). So it is probably valuable advice given by gavintc, but you may need to move it up in steps as you get more confident in your abilities.
 

cyclebum

Senior Member
Location
Cheshire
gavintc said:
People think soft saddles should be comfortable - they are, but only for a short distance.

I would definately back this up. I started with a nice big gel seat thinking that was the way to go for the distances, but after seeking advice on this site, I was loaned a salle italia. I was amazed that it was so much smaller and firmer than my origonal seat but It has been great and hasn't taken as long to get used to as I thought. I finally got back on my bike on saturday after a 5 week break with no problem at all.
As for the seat height, that has been a long process but I finally think I have it right and have marked it with tape in case it slips.
 
OP
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kawasaki_dave

New Member
Location
Preston, Lancs
Thanks for all your help and advice guys! :biggrin:

I don't envisage rides of more than an hour for the first 6 weeks at least as I'm the mnost unfit person I know, but given time, who knows!

I didn't actually know you could get MTB padded shorts - nice one - thanks!

As for racing - I did take on a crisp packet that was floating down the road last night - I won - but only cos I ran the bugger over!!!

Thanks again - I'm sure I'll be back!
 

postman

Legendary Member
Location
,Leeds
Preston Lancs .Do you know Goosnargh the little village.My in laws live there.Nice ride up to Beacon Fell Country Park.Quiet roads.
 
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kawasaki_dave

New Member
Location
Preston, Lancs
I do - in fact I was called to do a job there just the other night!

beacon Fell - that's the countryside with all the nasty big steep hills - you trying to get me killed? :rolleyes:
 
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kawasaki_dave

New Member
Location
Preston, Lancs
punkypossum said:
Someone else from Preston - it's getting a bit packed with cycle chat members at this point, maybe I should move somewhere more exclusive...:wacko:;)


Sorry to ruin the party possum! If it's of any use, I'm actually a southerner who's spentthe last couple of months infiltrating the North in a secret plot to send intelligence back down south! Unfortuantely, I can't find any :blush: :biggrin:
 

cyclebum

Senior Member
Location
Cheshire
Ooh dangerous talk there, the fact is the country's intelligence is based up north but we have to be careful not to make you southerners feel too inferior by it. At least up here we are nor frightened to talk to our neighbours ;).
 
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