Fletch456
Guru
- Location
- North Hampshire
Hi All,
I'm a relative newbie having been into cycling since a teenager but very off and on and very fair weather but a couple of months ago I bought my first serious bike and 2 weeks ago I did my first sportive. I've attached a photo of my pride and joy and love how smooth and quiet it is. I've read other newbie questions & replies with interest and got some questions I am hoping I can get some help with.
Saddles & Saddle Soreness:
- In Condor cycles on Wednesday, I explained I have been for a ride about once a week since I got the bike, went for 13m ride Sunday before and 45m on the Sunday before that (the sportive) and rode to work for ten mins on Wed & Tues. I was not sore on Wed but could still feel I have been on the bike - Will I get used to the saddle I asked or have I given it long enough? I probably won't get used to the seat came the Condor man's reply.
- Would you agree with him? Though later he did say a lot can depend on the angle.
- Would chamois cream really make a difference?
Interestingly - I went into Evans cycles and talked saddles with them and was told that if I put tape on the rails and tried a saddle for a day or two, kept it as new, I could take it back. Which is worth knowing given you can't try saddles on / test them out ordinarily.
Shoulder pain:
- I think it's a newbie thing to get shoulder / neck pain from the neck / head position but how much is normal? I have physio in this area so was comforted to read it may be a newbie issue cos about half way through the sportive I didn't want to lift my head to look fully ahead for a while. Is this something a lot of people suffer from initially? Is it a muscles strengthening / getting used to being in this position?
And most importantly (putting to one side any issue like mine ..seeing a physio about this area before getting the bike) ... how long would you expect this to last for a newbie do you think?
Many thanks, in advance.
Craig
I'm a relative newbie having been into cycling since a teenager but very off and on and very fair weather but a couple of months ago I bought my first serious bike and 2 weeks ago I did my first sportive. I've attached a photo of my pride and joy and love how smooth and quiet it is. I've read other newbie questions & replies with interest and got some questions I am hoping I can get some help with.
Saddles & Saddle Soreness:
- In Condor cycles on Wednesday, I explained I have been for a ride about once a week since I got the bike, went for 13m ride Sunday before and 45m on the Sunday before that (the sportive) and rode to work for ten mins on Wed & Tues. I was not sore on Wed but could still feel I have been on the bike - Will I get used to the saddle I asked or have I given it long enough? I probably won't get used to the seat came the Condor man's reply.
- Would you agree with him? Though later he did say a lot can depend on the angle.
- Would chamois cream really make a difference?
Interestingly - I went into Evans cycles and talked saddles with them and was told that if I put tape on the rails and tried a saddle for a day or two, kept it as new, I could take it back. Which is worth knowing given you can't try saddles on / test them out ordinarily.
Shoulder pain:
- I think it's a newbie thing to get shoulder / neck pain from the neck / head position but how much is normal? I have physio in this area so was comforted to read it may be a newbie issue cos about half way through the sportive I didn't want to lift my head to look fully ahead for a while. Is this something a lot of people suffer from initially? Is it a muscles strengthening / getting used to being in this position?
And most importantly (putting to one side any issue like mine ..seeing a physio about this area before getting the bike) ... how long would you expect this to last for a newbie do you think?
Many thanks, in advance.
Craig
