all the gear, no idea - help!

[ballerina]

My lovely new Giant Avail road bike is now covered in scrapes, as are my elbows and knees, from falling off my bike almost every time I go out on it - it was a present from husband and he is a seasoned cyclist whereas I have only ridden an old hybrid before. I suddenly had to get used to clipless pedals and a lighter, faster and more skittish machine and after two weeks of doggedly perservering with it, I am still not enjoying it at all.
I am terrified of the speed I can generate, frightened of falling over into the path of a car and most of all, struggling to keep up with husband. I am doing a charity bike ride in September which is 45 miles but the most I have managed locally is 6.5 miles before my backside gives up and my calf muscles cramp. I am very petite and light but as a regular runner I thought I was quite fit - clearly not! I know I need to rehydrate more but can anyone tell me how long I will need to get used to the clipless pedals and harder seat (even with padded shorts I am uncomfortable as I am very slight)? I know many people would kill for the machine I have been given but I long for the safety and comfort of my old hybrid - just don't tell the husband!! Will I ever get to the stage of being confident and professional on it and if so how long will it take? I go out on my bike about four times a week.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Some people get clipless pedals in next to no time others struggle for a long time . The saddle is much the same. Your muscles will attune themselves in time but it maybe that the saddle is wrong for you. I remember reading a comment on here about Ladies saddles but am not sure where. If your legs are cramping it might be worth looking at the saddle hight. With leg on pedal in the 6 o'clock position your log should be about 95% extended. More or less will cause various problems.

I hope you get to grips with the bike and the charity ride goes well!!

 

[uphillstruggler]

My lovely new Giant Avail road bike is now covered in scrapes, as are my elbows and knees, from falling off my bike almost every time I go out on it - it was a present from husband and he is a seasoned cyclist whereas I have only ridden an old hybrid before. I suddenly had to get used to clipless pedals and a lighter, faster and more skittish machine and after two weeks of doggedly perservering with it, I am still not enjoying it at all.
I am terrified of the speed I can generate, frightened of falling over into the path of a car and most of all, struggling to keep up with husband. I am doing a charity bike ride in September which is 45 miles but the most I have managed locally is 6.5 miles before my backside gives up and my calf muscles cramp. I am very petite and light but as a regular runner I thought I was quite fit - clearly not! I know I need to rehydrate more but can anyone tell me how long I will need to get used to the clipless pedals and harder seat (even with padded shorts I am uncomfortable as I am very slight)? I know many people would kill for the machine I have been given but I long for the safety and comfort of my old hybrid - just don't tell the husband!! Will I ever get to the stage of being confident and professional on it and if so how long will it take? I go out on my bike about four times a week.

Sounds like you need to slow down and get used to your bike at your own pace and as the chap above says, maybe get your bike set up at your lbs.

Best of luck.

 

[corshamjim]

Change your husband?

 

[lilolee]

+1 the above.
Get a lady specific saddle. Best to go to a real bike shop with your bike and sort out a saddle and get the ride height correct. A lot of people have their saddles to low for fear of falling but that compromises your ability to pedal at a decent speed. Don't be afraid of your speed as it actually helps you stay upright. Try to find a nice quiet place to practice a park with a bike path, with no cars and try to build your confidence.

And take those pedals off. They aren't going to help your confidence.

Good Luck
Lee

PS
where about are you as those in your area may be able to help.

 

[KingstonBiker]

When I moved from a hybrid to a road bike I didn't switch to clipless pedals for around a month. This gave me the time to adjust to the bike first. The transition to clipless was then fairly straightforward.

 

[ianrauk]

When I moved from a hybrid to a road bike I didn't switch to clipless pedals for around a month. This gave me the time to adjust to the bike first. The transition to clipless was then fairly straightforward.

This is a very sensible idea.
It's no use trying to get used the bike at the same time as getting used to clipless. Ditch the pedals.

 

[betty swollocks]

New bike and clipless in one go is obviously too much for you.
Put the pedals you are used to on the new bike and get used to the new bike's handling characteristics. Then, when you are more confident, swap back to clipless.
Echo others' advice about experimenting with saddle height, but also tilt and fore/aft

Finally: you say the bike is covered in scrapes. Only scrapes? If it's carbon and it's had a prang, you might want to get a bike shop to check it out for major damage. Damaged carbon frames can fail suddenly and catastrophically. Don't want to frighten you, but if you have any doubts, please get it checked.

I have a friend with a top-of-the-range 'Avail': it's luvly!!

 

[jackthelad]

Recently got the wife a boardman road bike,she was comfortable with her Vita Comp hybrid,nice situp position and found the leaning over on a road bike not as comfortable.

I fitted a stem riser raising the bars by 3 and a half inches more to a hybrid position.
The seat was removed and a specialized BG sonoma 155 saddle was fitted
she would not go for the clipless pedals so fitted dmr v12 pedals with small studs that stick to your soles like glue
moved the tyres from 23c to 28c armidillos

I had realised if the bike was not comfortable then it would not get used,meaning missing out on her company for road rides.The bike is probably at the furthest point now of being an out and out road bike,But what the heck she is happy and that is what counts

Do what makes you happy and not for any other reason

Jackthelad

 

[steve52]

one change at a time ditch the peadals and ride slower, ride for your self

 

[peelywally]

My lovely new Giant Avail road bike is now covered in scrapes, as are my elbows and knees, from falling off my bike almost every time I go out on it - it was a present from husband and he is a seasoned cyclist whereas I have only ridden an old hybrid before. I suddenly had to get used to clipless pedals and a lighter, faster and more skittish machine and after two weeks of doggedly perservering with it, I am still not enjoying it at all.
I am terrified of the speed I can generate, frightened of falling over into the path of a car and most of all, struggling to keep up with husband. I am doing a charity bike ride in September which is 45 miles but the most I have managed locally is 6.5 miles before my backside gives up and my calf muscles cramp. I am very petite and light but as a regular runner I thought I was quite fit - clearly not! I know I need to rehydrate more but can anyone tell me how long I will need to get used to the clipless pedals and harder seat (even with padded shorts I am uncomfortable as I am very slight)? I know many people would kill for the machine I have been given but I long for the safety and comfort of my old hybrid - just don't tell the husband!! Will I ever get to the stage of being confident and professional on it and if so how long will it take? I go out on my bike about four times a week.

learn to walk before you try running , sounds like your on equipment that exceeds your ability and its hitting your confidence ,


you may have clipless pedals fitted but you dont have to clip in , it might be a fast bike but you dictate its speed ,

set a pace that suits you nevermind the effort and build up confidence when your ready you will naturally advance to the next level and it will be sooner rather than later , falls hit confidence hard and if you expect a fall almost every outing its not going to be fun free your feet to stop falls

and cut your speed a bit i assure you few riders sprint 45 miles a regular avg speed of around 12mph will be more than enough ,

the best of luck .

 

[slowmotion]

Yes, ditch the pedals for now and go back to flats. It took me at least 10 weeks to get used to the feel of a road bike and to get the set up right after previously riding a hybrid.

I went clipless after three months and fell off within three minutes . No way would I have wanted to go "the whole hog" on day one.


Good luck and, most of all, have fun.

 

[festival]

you have a well designed and balanced bike, but do you fit it. you need it sorting out and don't assume your other half knows best.

forget hydration, you havent cycled far enough yet for that to be an issue. use flat pedals, ride alone in a safe place, find a circuit that mainly turns left, build up your mileage and your confidence at your own pace not anyone elses.

I too tried to accelerate my other halfs cycling ability, and soon learnt you have to take it steady and not force the issue. you dont have to become an expert cyclist to enjoy the challange ahead.

 

[peelywally]

i wouldnt ditch the clipless pedals just yet , first off if she is doing 45miles without much bike experience the added pull will help eat up the miles and secoundly the expense of changing fitting etc .

make sure pedals are adjusted so they just grip your shoe , and i know it sounds patronising but try looking up the road a lot of new cyclists look at front wheel which induces dizzy spells and upsets balance , dont have seat to high allow for a slight bend in your leg at longest stroke this means your not over extending and your less likely to feel lofty astride a farmers gate kind of thing .

 

[paddy1]

My lovely new Giant Avail road bike is now covered in scrapes, as are my elbows and knees, from falling off my bike almost every time I go out on it - it was a present from husband and he is a seasoned cyclist whereas I have only ridden an old hybrid before. I suddenly had to get used to clipless pedals and a lighter, faster and more skittish machine and after two weeks of doggedly perservering with it, I am still not enjoying it at all.
I am terrified of the speed I can generate, frightened of falling over into the path of a car and most of all, struggling to keep up with husband. I am doing a charity bike ride in September which is 45 miles but the most I have managed locally is 6.5 miles before my backside gives up and my calf muscles cramp. I am very petite and light but as a regular runner I thought I was quite fit - clearly not! I know I need to rehydrate more but can anyone tell me how long I will need to get used to the clipless pedals and harder seat (even with padded shorts I am uncomfortable as I am very slight)? I know many people would kill for the machine I have been given but I long for the safety and comfort of my old hybrid - just don't tell the husband!! Will I ever get to the stage of being confident and professional on it and if so how long will it take? I go out on my bike about four times a week.

I BOUGHT CLEATS AND SHOES TODAY AND TOOK MY OLD (2X WEEKS) TOE FATSENERS TYPE OFF MY GIANT ROAD BIKE AND UR MORE THAN WELCOME TO THEM I WOULD HOPE ILL NOT NEED THEM EVER AGAIN