Amazing what a little fiddle can do...

[LosingFocus]

So I was getting annoyed with the road bike and wasn't looking forward to each ride as much as I used to. It needed a clean n' lube, so whilst I was doing that yesterday I decided to re-fit the bike. So, various measuring, sittings and fiddling later:

• Stem dropped by about 3cm (still flipped)
• Bars rotated by 5 degrees towards the ground
• Saddle raised by 5mm
• Saddle nose lowered by 3mm
• Saddle move forward by 2mm

All I can say is "Wow". I expected a bit of back pain or uncomfort (is that even a real word?) for a while, but no it was great from the get go. Really enjoyed my ride, felt more in control, smoother, faster and - most importantly - nicer to sit and pedal. Plus it felt more natural to transition between spinning and stand-up grinding, no stifled movement, all smooth and flowing.

This combined with the new Gatorskins I fitted last month have really renewed the bike for me.

So, take some time out and check out how well your fit your bike after a while, you might surprise yourself when you have a good fiddle.

 

[gary in derby]

off to the shed allen keys in hand.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

if i had internet at home i would have done this too! may take the bike to the inlaws tonight and steal the use of a laptop and their garage

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Not sure my wife would approve if I took the laptop out to the shed for a quick fiddle.

 

[wisdom]

Amazing what a little fiddle can do...

Well we have 3 nice children as a result of a little fiddle.
Back to the point i did the same with the bike and it was a bit of trial and error but making adjustments in small increments made a vast difference.Even down to altering the cleat angle by a couple of degrees.To be fair the local bike shop i bought it from made sure it was very near before i took it away.But just a few tweaks made for a much more comfortable and easy ride.

 

[I like Skol]

What basis did you use for altering all these positions? Was it purely by instinct and feel or did you use some form of guidance from internet or book (not that there is anything wrong with going by feel IMO)?

I have heard many times the advice to only alter one thing at a time otherwise you don't know where the improvement comes from and if it is wrong then it is far easier to reset one change rather than multiple alterations.

 

[kedab]

uncomfort (is that even a real word?)

discomfort

 

[LosingFocus]

discomfort

Thanks you! Damn my low-coffee Monday brain!

 

[LosingFocus]

What basis did you use for altering all these positions? Was it purely by instinct and feel or did you use some form of guidance from internet or book (not that there is anything wrong with going by feel IMO)?

Kind of trail and error and instinct. When I first got it, I set everything up just below optimum so I could get used to the bike and just settled with it - so it needed to be redone and sorted based on how I was feeling when I was riding.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

had my OH's bike out this morning. 1 rear brake pad constantly rubbing, chain rusty and found both wheels are not true (or even vaguely). doubt he will even notice, but he should be faster in on Wednesday when he next cycles to work...
Now all I need to do is get his other bike fixed, but that is a much bigger issue and needs transporting to Bridgwater, Somerset for that one...

 

[Boon 51]

Lot of changes all one go but glad it worked out for you...

 

[roseparkk]

I'm deathly afraid of moving anything on my bike. hahaha. I can't even level a picture properly let alone a saddle. Congrats on getting it right on the first go!

 

[AndyRM]

I'm deathly afraid of moving anything on my bike. hahaha. I can't even level a picture properly let alone a saddle. Congrats on getting it right on the first go!

Boom: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTHHG/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9550932909&ref=asc_df_B000LFTHHG

 

[roseparkk]

Boom: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTHHG/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9550932909&ref=asc_df_B000LFTHHG

haha, I own a level!