First ride on the new bike...

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ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Okay, I've done 10.5 miles on the Dawes hybrid.
I set it up as close as I could just pottering around the street to adjust anything but today I took it for a proper ride.
Now I have ridden it, I have a couple of issues.

The seat height feels comfortable (not over stretched and no muscle aches).
The seat has been moved all the way back on the rails as I felt quite cramped (bear in mind I'm used to my MTB 29er) and this still feels the same after a proper ride. I was constantly pushing myself back off the seat to feel comfortable and my backside was about hanging off (not pretty).

The front brake is really juddery! It feels unsafe when braking and it judders a lot!. The rear brake is smooth.
Any idea what this could be?

As for the other things:
Positive: I seem to manage the hills a bit better
I like the upright position (despite this I have terrible backache!)
It was very smooth and easy to ride

Negative: 18 gears wasn't enough at times!
Backache
I hate the seat (the sprung thing is nice but it has no cut away channel for lady bits, which I'm used to)

Thoughts?
 

Saluki

World class procrastinator
Change the seat for a start!

So you think it's just a case of getting used to a different position?
Maybe the brakes need a bit of a tweak too.
 
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ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Change the seat for a start!

So you think it's just a case of getting used to a different position?
Maybe the brakes need a bit of a tweak too.
Probably is a case of getting used to it but my back doesn't feel like this on the MTB (I have arthritis in my upper and lower spine).
I don't know what to do to the brakes...they are rim and I'm used to discs
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
Seat - Have you taken any measurements off your MTB and compared them to the new bike?
Measure from the centre of the BB axle to the top of your saddle, assuming the crank length is the same on each bike.
Drop a plumb line from the nose of the saddle on each bike to check the fore-aft position in relation to the pedals

Brakes - It sounds as if something's loose, or the pads aren't toed in correctly.
 

Saluki

World class procrastinator
Probably is a case of getting used to it but my back doesn't feel like this on the MTB (I have arthritis in my upper and lower spine).
I don't know what to do to the brakes...they are rim and I'm used to discs
My back aches if I ride my MTB for too long but doesn't on the roadie. I don't have arthritis (that I know of) in my back. I just think that it's a position thing with me.
@stephec makes good sense there.
Have you got a good LBS for the brake set up?
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
If you're slightly handy with the spanners setting up brakes is easy.

It just needs a bit of practice, I can't remember the last time I had to take something in to a shop, other than getting a wheel built.
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
One other thing, is the top tube length the same on each bike?

If the hybrid is shorter you might be naturally trying to push yourself back to replicate the postition of your MTB.
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
You probably just need to run a tape measure over both bikes to check for any differences.
 

cosmicbike

Perhaps This One.....
Moderator
Location
Egham
You'll get used to the different position soon enough, perhaps a saddle change though. I regularly swap between the hybrid and road bikes, the hybrid does feel almost 'cramped', but by the same argument the road bike feels stretched!

Front Brake, make sure the front of the pads touch the rim 0.5 - 1mm before the back.
 

surfdude

Veteran
Location
cornwall
same as cosmicbike really . i have a road and mtb and both feel so different ride so takes a few miles to get used them when going from one to the other . give it a few rides to get your muscles and butt used to the new riding position . replace the saddle as others have said . hope you get it sorted and can enjoy riding it
 

Ciar

Veteran
Location
London
I had this problem when i first got my 29'r, the difference in position between the MTB and my hybrid cx bike was very off putting, shorter handlebars much more upright position, but you will get used to the different riding positions.
 
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ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Thanks all.
I've been in so much pain today with my back, I couldn't face riding today.
I have a ride tomorrow but I'm using the 29er for that anyway.
I think I will change the seat and take it for short regular trips and build up to using it. I do want to use it and get panniers on it for some shopping etc and I must admit, I found going uphill a pleasant surprise! (even though I'm still slow, it seemed easier!)
 
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