up hill struggle
Well-Known Member
- Location
- newtownards, county down
3 weeks ago I bought a new bike, just something simple that I could use to get out & about on, got it from smyths toys, 26" x-iled 18 speed mens mountain bike. ( I was going to post a link but the bike is currently unavailable)
anyways, had trouble with my knees for years after a few spills on the motorbikes & thought biking may help build strength in my legs & ease the amount of pain ive been getting for the last 2 years especially as my weight has sored to 17 & 1/2st.
my problem currently is that I thought a mountain bike was a good idea as I didn't have any intensions of riding on the road & i know that im totally outta shape & the mtb is geared for off road use but im struggling to do any more than 6 miles without feeling like knees are being ripped apart. after changing the tyres & seat I can cope relatively well until I get to even a slight hill then the gearing just zaps the strength from legs so I was wondering if it was possible to fit road gears to a mountain bike in the hope that it will make riding easier & less painful on what little knees ive got left.
I thought I was getting used to it towards the end of last week as I could manage to a little further than before & faster up until Mondays ride when I tried a more hilly road & could barely walk by the time I had finished the ride, forced my self on Tuesday & wedensday to go out & do 5 miles on a flat cycle route thinking if I stopped cause of the pain it was an excuse not to go out again but I felt that sore & run down today I could not face going out, before I posted this I realised that I hadn't tightened my seat clamp properly after fitting a tool bag to the underside of my seat on sunday & that the set has dropped 2" (im kinda hoping that's why my legs have been so sore Monday Tuesday & wedensday, its bound to make some difference) so will be back on the bike tomorrow & force myself to do another few miles & see how I go, but is it possible to fit road gears to a mountain bike or is it just a waste of money? either way I cant afford another bike for a while & don't want to give up as ive lost 6 lbs in the 3 weeks ive been doing this & tryin to lose abit of flab.
please advise. oh & by the way hi to everyone
anyways, had trouble with my knees for years after a few spills on the motorbikes & thought biking may help build strength in my legs & ease the amount of pain ive been getting for the last 2 years especially as my weight has sored to 17 & 1/2st.
my problem currently is that I thought a mountain bike was a good idea as I didn't have any intensions of riding on the road & i know that im totally outta shape & the mtb is geared for off road use but im struggling to do any more than 6 miles without feeling like knees are being ripped apart. after changing the tyres & seat I can cope relatively well until I get to even a slight hill then the gearing just zaps the strength from legs so I was wondering if it was possible to fit road gears to a mountain bike in the hope that it will make riding easier & less painful on what little knees ive got left.
I thought I was getting used to it towards the end of last week as I could manage to a little further than before & faster up until Mondays ride when I tried a more hilly road & could barely walk by the time I had finished the ride, forced my self on Tuesday & wedensday to go out & do 5 miles on a flat cycle route thinking if I stopped cause of the pain it was an excuse not to go out again but I felt that sore & run down today I could not face going out, before I posted this I realised that I hadn't tightened my seat clamp properly after fitting a tool bag to the underside of my seat on sunday & that the set has dropped 2" (im kinda hoping that's why my legs have been so sore Monday Tuesday & wedensday, its bound to make some difference) so will be back on the bike tomorrow & force myself to do another few miles & see how I go, but is it possible to fit road gears to a mountain bike or is it just a waste of money? either way I cant afford another bike for a while & don't want to give up as ive lost 6 lbs in the 3 weeks ive been doing this & tryin to lose abit of flab.
please advise. oh & by the way hi to everyone