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[lfcgirl5]

wow you have spent time on this, it looks like new! I need to learn how to look after my bike, Ive not changed a tyre since I was a teenager and Im 38 now lol

 

[crazyjoe101]

wow you have spent time on this, it looks like new! I need to learn how to look after my bike, Ive not changed a tyre since I was a teenager and Im 38 now lol

Thanks, it takes patience and a bit of elbow grease but you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run and possibly injury etc. etc. but the sense of accomplishment when you can FEEL the benefits while you cycle is brilliant.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi @crazyjoe101 and . Also, welcome to our other recent new members.

The bike is looking smart Joe. I do notice that the saddle seems quite low compared to the height you've got the handlebars at. Either you've got short legs and a long reach or the saddle wants lifting up a bit. (assuming it hasn't changed since the photo was taken of course.)

I gave some advice a while back which might help if needed: link

 

[crazyjoe101]

@Rickshaw Phil (hope tag works) Thanks for pointing that out, already getting help and I didn't even ask . When I was given the bike the saddle was higher but I haven't changed the height of the handlebars, just the saddle. At the moment the saddle's as high as I'm comfortable with as when it goes higher I struggle with balance coming to and starting from a stop, my legs's extended on the peddle as you mentioned in your referenced post, perhaps I need to lower the handlebars. Anyway, I don't want to go too off topic in this thread.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hello.brand new here. Live in wales in the foothills of the cambrian mountains. Have not cycled in 45 years, but have decided to get t fit and lose some weight. I must say my memory of biking and my ability 45 years later are at opposite ends of the universe. Have a raleigh etienne hybrid. At the moment my bum hurts like crazy and my legs hurt. Are things going to get better. I can just about manage 20 minutes on the bike at a time. Help.

 

[Born2die]

It all gets better as the miles go on and hi from another newbie

 

[crazyjoe101]

Hi guys, when I wheeled the bike out I found it quite hard on my way back from cadets (uphill), but I'm a casual runner so just needed to work on those legs. You'll start to notice it getting easier as the muscles repair after each trip, just keep getting miles under your belt wheels.

 

[welsh dragon]

Thanks for that. Has anyone got a gel saddle and are they any good.

 

[CafGriff]

Splendid CrazyJo101 !
Ifcgirl5 ! I have for the past 3 / months attended a cycle work shop in Plymouth, where on every 1 st Wed of the month, I can go to a workshop - pick ant bike in the warehouse ( these are abandoneds on the highway or collected from the various people who don't want them any more or simply, so unrepairable the original owners don't want them any more ) and I can chain play or change tyres, sort out gears etc, for the whole 2 hours that I'm in the workshop ... always with someone more maintainence minded than me, over looking my shoulder.
Try and find somewhere like that? It's hell ov a confidence builder.!!

 

[Born2die]

@crazyjoe101 try doing squats, jump squats power jacks etc they really build up the big leg muscles I was off the bike for 4 months earlier this year but I did and till do classes that really work on the legs and all round fitness it made a hell of a difference when I jumped back on the bike I was faster from the get go

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Prynhawn da @welsh dragon. Croeso i CycleChat.

I have had gel saddles and TBH am not a fan. They are great for a few miles, then you sink into the gel a bit and it puts pressure in places there shouldn't be pressure. It goes against expectation but saddles with less padding tend to be more comfortable in the long run.

@crazyjoe101: The tag worked fine. If the saddle is set at the right height for you, then dropping the bars to around saddle height should make the bike feel better to ride. When the saddle is at the right height you'll likely only just be able to touch the ground when on tiptoe. The trick is to transfer your weight onto the pedals as you slow and just step down as you come to a stop - very easy.

 

[crazyjoe101]

@Born2die I don't think I worded that very well, I should have said "When I wheeled my bike out 8 months ago". I don't have trouble now, I'm better at the leg machines on the rare occasion I visit the gym :P. I can't really do leg exercising other than cycling because I get bad knees (running contibutes), I can only do lunges but cycling is a much more fun method!

@Rickshaw Phil Thanks for that advice, for some strange reason I went out in the woods with my dogs today and my bike's caked in mud, amongst other things. I'll clean it up, 'service' it and lower my handlebars. I might even get a bit of a photograph of it . I'm actually tempted to pop on some straight bars with the curly grips on the end.

 

[Born2die]

I'm in your camp my knees are shot I mainly swim for cardio I can't go heavy on squats either but lots of Brufen and I can get through a plyo class love the cycling though but my knees give out around he 40 mile mark (working on upping that though)

 

[welsh dragon]

Thanks for the welsh welcome. I guess I will just have to keep at then, and stick with the saddle.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Thanks for the welsh welcome.

No problem. (That is about as good as my Welsh gets though.)

I guess I will just have to keep at then, and stick with the saddle.

If you're coming back to cycling after a long break it will always hurt for the first few rides but will improve. If your legs are hurting, you might want to check the saddle height. The link I gave to CrazyJoe further up the page might help.