I know nothing.

[Banjo]

As a beginner Reading posts on here from very experienced cyclists I knew that I should avoid anything with suspension which would sap my energy and generally wobble like a nearly set jelly.

Then I rode the wifes Raleigh Pioneer.After doing some work on it I wanted to do a test ride so raised the seat to the highest allowed mark and went off for a pedal.

OK Its not fast but it is very comfortable on our rough old roads, cornered well and I really enjoyed it apart from the seat being still too low.

As a leisure /easy commute cyclist have I been overly influenced by the high speed/long distance point of view ?

 

[pauljonhaz]

Hi Banjo

I'm a newbie to, I have a xc bike with front suspension for my commute to work which is really comfortable. All I have done is removed the knobblies and put on a set on continental travel contacts which have improved the ride dramatically.

Everyone has there own opinion and advice is brilliant (especially on this forum) but it always comes down to personal preference in my opinion.

 

[longers]

Comfort is paramount, that's why there's so much advice sought and given on here.

There are a few people who are dedicated solely to speed but CC seems to cover a broader church than that. If we're comfy we're happy.

I did lots of cycling on a slicked up hardtail MTB and still love the bike to bits. My needs in regard to comfort for expanding my horizons has led me to buy more bikes and constantly faff around with set up and components. This is gradual as I try to make what I've got work before I change it by spending money on it.

The most important thing is they're all comfy for their intended purpose.

Ignore any snobbery and do what suits you and your riding. If you're enjoying it then you're winning.

Then get another bike

 

[snorri]

Then I rode the wifes Raleigh Pioneer.

Nothing wrong with the Raleigh Pioneer, I did a very comfortable LeJoG on one 12 years ago.
Of course, if you cannot adjust the seat to suit, perhaps you need a bigger frame size.
As others have said on this thread, just do what feels right for you, speed is not the be all and end all for everyone.

 

[Radius]

I do see the attraction, sometimes, of pootling around very upright with a suspension seatpost and the winnowing wind gently displacing my flowing locks...er...yes anyway, I also like the 'sport' side of cycling, the extreme physical challenge, so I couldn't give that up for a pootler

 

[mickle]

Pootling is the new going fast.

 

[Cubist]

Each to their own. My renaissance into cycling meant getting a late 1980s Emmelle MTB out of mothballs, and using it for leisure rides and commuting for six months while I was saving up for a newer bike. Ok it's heavy, and there are so many steep hills round here that I was soon knackered, but boy did my quads and calves benefit! The important thing was it got me back out cycling. Now that I have something "a little better" I'm enjoying the buzz of more adventurous MTB'ing, and spending some quality bonding time with my kids.

Many on the forum are concerned with time, improving technique, getting the best for your money etc etc, and that's what life is about. You don't have to join in, they won't mind if you simply want to cycle for the fun of it. A lot of them are focussed (my wife calls it "obsessed") on a particular discipline, because that what drives them (us?) and that's human nature. Get out and ride, and don't even start to worry about others!

 

[jig-sore]

well i have a confession to make... I'm using a suspension seat post on my road bike .

i swapped it over from my hybrid when i was using the standard naff saddle, but when i eventually got my new saddle i kept it on.

it's wound up so it's quite stiff but it just gives me that extra bit of comfort until i'm used to long distance riding again.

it's probably a big no no in the world off road bikes but it keeps me comfy

 

[Mike Rudkin]

For 3 yrs or so I've been happy with my Giant Terrago disc MTB-then 2 mths ago I got a Trek 1.2 road bike !!
Last week I took the Giant on a ride with Banjo,who remarked that I didnt look as comfortable on it as on the Trek. On the return leg of our 25 mile ride,battling against a head wind, I could literally see most of my efforts being dissipated by the front shocks. I've locked them out now and hopefully it will be an improvement. Must say I'm starting to wonder if a Cyclo Cross bike might be better for what 'off road' riding I do-or is it an excuse to buy another bike :-)
As for the 'speed and distance' thing-I'm cycling for two reasons.One is to get, and stay, fit the other,I have to admit,is to recapture part of my youth!!
The only way I know to measure my success at either of those is to monitor my performance in terms of speed and distance :-)

 

[gbb]

well i have a confession to make... I'm using a suspension seat post on my road bike .

i swapped it over from my hybrid when i was using the standard naff saddle, but when i eventually got my new saddle i kept it on.

it's wound up so it's quite stiff but it just gives me that extra bit of comfort until i'm used to long distance riding again.

it's probably a big no no in the world off road bikes but it keeps me comfy

You're not alone...sometimes needs must.
My rebuild Raleigh 531 was short a seatpost..all i had was a 27mm sus seatpost, that'll do for now. A year later, it was still on.
Sorted now, but to be honest...who cares !

 

[gbb]

As a beginner Reading posts on here from very experienced cyclists I knew that I should avoid anything with suspension which would sap my energy and generally wobble like a nearly set jelly.

Then I rode the wifes Raleigh Pioneer.After doing some work on it I wanted to do a test ride so raised the seat to the highest allowed mark and went off for a pedal.

OK Its not fast but it is very comfortable on our rough old roads, cornered well and I really enjoyed it apart from the seat being still too low.

As a leisure /easy commute cyclist have I been overly influenced by the high speed/long distance point of view ?

The pleasure from cycling can come from simply 'cycling'...not the equipment, not the speed...just the pure pleasure of riding. Sometimes its nice to take a different bike and enjoy it for what it is.
Mines a Trek hybrid...i dont normally use it, i dont normally like it, its too slow...but once in a while, its a pleasure to just pootle comfortably.

 

[palinurus]

As long as the bike you are using is in basically good order and comfortable enough to ride the distance you are going then cycling will be mostly pleasurable.

There's always going to be days that you get caught in marble-sized hail without a hat on, but the rest of the time it'll be OK.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Banjo - I pootle about as I see more of the countryside that way but I have a bike that will get me up the more demanding hills at the expense of a bit of comfort. It's all down to personal requirements - get the bike that you want.