Silver Fox
Guru
As already mentioned, making sure the bike 'fits' is essential. This may help ....
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk
all the gear, no idea - help!
- Thread starter ballerina
- Start date
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slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
^^^^ Wot SF said.
That's the advice I used .That video is great. Not too technical, and it de-mystifies the matter for a novice like myself.
Rock on, Christopher!
That's the advice I used .That video is great. Not too technical, and it de-mystifies the matter for a novice like myself.
Rock on, Christopher!
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Looking back to my first road bike (since I was a kid anyway, 20+ years earlier) it only took me about 1 ride to get use to the skittishness (you soon call this responsive) and the clipless. It could be that your clip tension is too high but if you're not finding clipless to your liking at the moment don't be scared to change them back to flats, its better to enjoy your ride rather than loathe it and stop riding.
I never had a problem with the saddle but then again I'm a bloke and I'd second getting a women specific one.
I never had a problem with the saddle but then again I'm a bloke and I'd second getting a women specific one.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
+1
this is a helpful website.
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html
And this one i swear by , i recently tried to alter my fit away from this site recommendations and paid for it.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO
I use a mixture of the eddy and french fit ...
As others have said get used to riding the bike with normal pedals and get it set up right before you move onto clipless, bear in mind you will probably need to alter your seat height a smidge when changing pedal types.
asterix
Comrade Member
- Location
- Limoges or York
Well done to the OP for giving it a go and I do hope they learn to like it!
Much of the above advice is good and maybe with a bit of perserverance and perhaps a better saddle you will look back and wonder why it seemed difficult.
p.s. Do NOT try to keep up with hubby. Make him keep at your pace! That's what Mrs A. does, anyway.
Much of the above advice is good and maybe with a bit of perserverance and perhaps a better saddle you will look back and wonder why it seemed difficult.
p.s. Do NOT try to keep up with hubby. Make him keep at your pace! That's what Mrs A. does, anyway.
First, congatulations on giving it a go.
Everyone starts in the same place, and everyone had those doubts about clipless pedals and bizarre riding positions.
My children have been through this in the past few years and all adapted differently.
1. I like the idea of getting used to the bike first (severally advocated in this thread). Get used to the bike first. But... once you give clipless a go and once you adapt to them, you will never want to ride any other way. They really are a very good idea.
2. A women's saddle. My daughter has one and finds it better. Something from Selle Italia in her case, I forget the model name.
3. One of my sons hates to reach below the tube for his bottle, so he has a cage on the handlebars. He likes it there. On longer road rides I like a Camelbak, although it lacks 'road cool'.
4. Don't be afraid of low gears. Stay of the big chainwheel initially and get yourself used to riding with 'spinny' pedals in a lowish gear. You will find that your runner's fitness lets you cope well with that. It is very different from running, but fitness is fitness, so you will adapt quickly.
5. Again, congratulations for giving it a go and wanting to stick with it after some initial reverses. It really is huge fun.
6. The only non-cyclist in my family (apart from shopping runs) is my wife. She finds the whole lycra and clips things just a tiny bit silly. Up to a point, I agree with her, but I can't seem to stop.
Everyone starts in the same place, and everyone had those doubts about clipless pedals and bizarre riding positions.
My children have been through this in the past few years and all adapted differently.
1. I like the idea of getting used to the bike first (severally advocated in this thread). Get used to the bike first. But... once you give clipless a go and once you adapt to them, you will never want to ride any other way. They really are a very good idea.
2. A women's saddle. My daughter has one and finds it better. Something from Selle Italia in her case, I forget the model name.
3. One of my sons hates to reach below the tube for his bottle, so he has a cage on the handlebars. He likes it there. On longer road rides I like a Camelbak, although it lacks 'road cool'.
4. Don't be afraid of low gears. Stay of the big chainwheel initially and get yourself used to riding with 'spinny' pedals in a lowish gear. You will find that your runner's fitness lets you cope well with that. It is very different from running, but fitness is fitness, so you will adapt quickly.
5. Again, congratulations for giving it a go and wanting to stick with it after some initial reverses. It really is huge fun.
6. The only non-cyclist in my family (apart from shopping runs) is my wife. She finds the whole lycra and clips things just a tiny bit silly. Up to a point, I agree with her, but I can't seem to stop.
If you are small, how are you finding the reach to the gears and brakes, and indeed using the brakes? When I first got on a road bike, I really struggled with this. What I was advised to do was raise the handlebars a bit, and also rotate them a little to bring the gear/brake levers closer to me. We did this (well I asked my boyfriend to do it, and he did) and after a while as I got more confident I got him to rotate it back and then lower them again. Only then did I go on to clipless pedals!
My boyfriend is a much stronger cyclist than me. If we go cycling together, we have to accept that he will have to go more slowly than he would otherwise do. I can hold his draft at a reasonable pace, but drafting takes confidence - which will come. If your husband is shooting off into the distance and calling "hurry up" over his shoulder, I'm afraid he will have to learn to do differently!!! (If he really wants you to keep up, he should have got a tandem...
)
On the other hand, when my boyfriend and I did a Sportive "together" recently, I cycled with him for a couple of miles, realised that the pace was not one I could maintian, and, as we had agreed, I let him go and did my own thing at my own pace. I enjoyed my day, and so did he, and we both got what we wanted out of the day. This is an advantage of doing an organised event like that - there were plenty of other people for us both to join up with. So that might be a strategy you could adopt... (he bumped into some people we know at the finish who were apparently a bit surprised that he hadn't cycled round with me, but I don't see the problem myself...)
My boyfriend is a much stronger cyclist than me. If we go cycling together, we have to accept that he will have to go more slowly than he would otherwise do. I can hold his draft at a reasonable pace, but drafting takes confidence - which will come. If your husband is shooting off into the distance and calling "hurry up" over his shoulder, I'm afraid he will have to learn to do differently!!! (If he really wants you to keep up, he should have got a tandem...
)On the other hand, when my boyfriend and I did a Sportive "together" recently, I cycled with him for a couple of miles, realised that the pace was not one I could maintian, and, as we had agreed, I let him go and did my own thing at my own pace. I enjoyed my day, and so did he, and we both got what we wanted out of the day. This is an advantage of doing an organised event like that - there were plenty of other people for us both to join up with. So that might be a strategy you could adopt... (he bumped into some people we know at the finish who were apparently a bit surprised that he hadn't cycled round with me, but I don't see the problem myself...)
TheBoyBilly
New Member
- Location
- Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Wellgo flat pedals are cheap as chips. Get a pair (some have a nice big platform to give you confidence) and take it easy.
You don't HAVE to ride clipless, there isn't a law that says so, and I feel it's far too early in your riding to even consider it. Give it at least until the autumn. Use the fine months to gain ability and confidence. If your husband rides off into the distance stop at the next pub!
Bill
You don't HAVE to ride clipless, there isn't a law that says so, and I feel it's far too early in your riding to even consider it. Give it at least until the autumn. Use the fine months to gain ability and confidence. If your husband rides off into the distance stop at the next pub!
Bill
get back on your hybrid, get your husband to sell the road bike and buy "himself" a hybrid 
maybe he should try riding with you instead of you trying to ride with him
no reason why a hybrid cant be used for long rides and yes, believe it or not, a hybrid can be just as fast as a road bike if the spec is leaning more towards road riding
maybe he should try riding with you instead of you trying to ride with him
no reason why a hybrid cant be used for long rides and yes, believe it or not, a hybrid can be just as fast as a road bike if the spec is leaning more towards road riding
I would take it a step at a time.
I've just bought myself my first road bike and am sticking with flat pedals. I tried clipped (with the straps) and could not get used to it. I don't like the idea of clipless at the minute because I still find the bike a little twitchy compared to my old mountain bike and I want the safety net of being able to put my foot down if need be.
I find myself braking down big hills because I don't feel safe going downhill at high speed, although I'm happy to go over that speed on the flat when I'm more in control.
It also took me a bit of time to get used to where the brakes were, and being able to reach them properly.
Good padded shorts have been great for me, and a woman's specific saddle might be helpful if you haven't got one? (I'm also quite small!)
You could try doing a small ride each day, at a pace and distance that your comfortable with so that you can concentrate on getting used to the bike and start to enjoy riding. I wouldn't bother using the clipless pedals yet.
Keep us posted!
I've just bought myself my first road bike and am sticking with flat pedals. I tried clipped (with the straps) and could not get used to it. I don't like the idea of clipless at the minute because I still find the bike a little twitchy compared to my old mountain bike and I want the safety net of being able to put my foot down if need be.
I find myself braking down big hills because I don't feel safe going downhill at high speed, although I'm happy to go over that speed on the flat when I'm more in control.
It also took me a bit of time to get used to where the brakes were, and being able to reach them properly.
Good padded shorts have been great for me, and a woman's specific saddle might be helpful if you haven't got one? (I'm also quite small!)
You could try doing a small ride each day, at a pace and distance that your comfortable with so that you can concentrate on getting used to the bike and start to enjoy riding. I wouldn't bother using the clipless pedals yet.
Keep us posted!
Sounds like your husband isn't being terribly considerate and has thrown you in the deep in end and expecting you to swim like a pro.
Pretty awful that despite you having had some nasty tumbles trying to keep up with him he hasn't considered slowing down.
1. Ditch the clipless pedals for now. Flats are cheap.
2. Ditch the husband.
Pretty awful that despite you having had some nasty tumbles trying to keep up with him he hasn't considered slowing down.
1. Ditch the clipless pedals for now. Flats are cheap.
2. Ditch the husband.
rodgy-dodge
An Exceptional Member
- Location
- North East, Teesside
I've just bought my first road bike after many years with mtb's. I feel the road bike is a totally different ride altogether, for me anyway! its like riding on air especially when you get nice tarmac.
I wanted to leave the plain pedals on the bike as I had awful experiences on the mtb with spd's mainly down hill couldn't get my feet out fast enough so I'm used to toe cups, I've now got these on the road bike too. The guy in the LBS suggested I should get clipin pedals but maybe when I'm more confident with the bike.
Like most have said you need to go at your own pace and enjoy the feeling rather than being all worked up about it. I do supose you've asked your other half to slow down to your pace until your more confident, otherwise as others have said ditch the husband and find a cycle buddy who's at your level.
hope you stick with it and soon start to enjoy
I wanted to leave the plain pedals on the bike as I had awful experiences on the mtb with spd's mainly down hill couldn't get my feet out fast enough so I'm used to toe cups, I've now got these on the road bike too. The guy in the LBS suggested I should get clipin pedals but maybe when I'm more confident with the bike.
Like most have said you need to go at your own pace and enjoy the feeling rather than being all worked up about it. I do supose you've asked your other half to slow down to your pace until your more confident, otherwise as others have said ditch the husband and find a cycle buddy who's at your level.
hope you stick with it and soon start to enjoy
Mac66
Senior Member
- Location
- Newbury-ish
Full of admiration that you are sticking with it. Don't worry, you will soon feel the love for your beautiful machine.
Bit of an essay, but best to cover as much as poss. Remeber you don't have to do it all at once (if at all) and that ultimately the type of bike you end up riding and the type of riding you do is a personal choice made for your enjoyment, no one elses. Help, support, encouragement and humour will always be found here.
First and foremost, your bike should fit you, you shouldn't be trying to fit to your bike. So as previosuly advised, get down to your local bike shop,
They will be able to
tell you if your bike frame size is too big or small or ok
Help with a women's specific saddle,
Set your saddle height and position correctly,
If you find that you have shoulder or back discomfort after riding, you may need to look at a suitable handlebar of the correct width for your shoulders. You may also be leaning too far forward, or not far enough forward so the handlebar stem may need replacing. You may be able to fit spacers to your hadlebar so that it sits a bit higher, or you may wish to look at adjustable stems which allow you to vary the height of the handlebar.
Any knee pain is usually down to cleat positioning if you are using road cycling shoes. I suggest getting flat pedals for the time being. Saddle height can also contribute to knee pain.
Getting wider tyres can help if your bike can take them. More rubber on the road and more comfort.
If you have small hands, and are finding it difficult to reach your brake leavers, some makes allow the lever position to be brought nearer the handlebars - again bike shop can advise.
Bike specific clothing can help, but no need to go full neon lycra bandit, just something padded and relatively seemless for your backside, along with cycling gloves/mitts.
A bit of cycle training can help with confidence too.
Don't worry, you will soon feel the love for your beautiful machine.Bit of an essay, but best to cover as much as poss. Remeber you don't have to do it all at once (if at all) and that ultimately the type of bike you end up riding and the type of riding you do is a personal choice made for your enjoyment, no one elses. Help, support, encouragement and humour will always be found here.
First and foremost, your bike should fit you, you shouldn't be trying to fit to your bike. So as previosuly advised, get down to your local bike shop,
They will be able to
tell you if your bike frame size is too big or small or ok
Help with a women's specific saddle,
Set your saddle height and position correctly,
If you find that you have shoulder or back discomfort after riding, you may need to look at a suitable handlebar of the correct width for your shoulders. You may also be leaning too far forward, or not far enough forward so the handlebar stem may need replacing. You may be able to fit spacers to your hadlebar so that it sits a bit higher, or you may wish to look at adjustable stems which allow you to vary the height of the handlebar.
Any knee pain is usually down to cleat positioning if you are using road cycling shoes. I suggest getting flat pedals for the time being. Saddle height can also contribute to knee pain.
Getting wider tyres can help if your bike can take them. More rubber on the road and more comfort.
If you have small hands, and are finding it difficult to reach your brake leavers, some makes allow the lever position to be brought nearer the handlebars - again bike shop can advise.
Bike specific clothing can help, but no need to go full neon lycra bandit, just something padded and relatively seemless for your backside, along with cycling gloves/mitts.
A bit of cycle training can help with confidence too.
