Not happy with bumpy ride.

[cyberstretch]

Just started riding at 37 years old after 20 years off the saddle. I used to own a mountain bike when it was an easier decision back then - bmw, racer or a mountain bike.

After some research i decided a hybrid would suit my commute to work needs and i bought a used GIANT 21speed to get me started. It has 700c wheels which I would to call "racer" wheels due to its skinny tyres (700 x 35). My first trip to work was extremely bumpy and was not an enjoyable experience for me. The tyres were not so forgiving up and down dropped curbs and along uneven pavements and it felt like the wheels would eventually buckle.

I am not looking to change to a mountain bike and was wondering that if i changed the tyres to a 40 or 45 width and put in less air would this help alleviate the problem ? Would i need to measure my wheel width first or would this tyre sizes fit ?

Thanks all, any help would be much appreciated

 

[Lee_M]

it takes time to get used to a road bike - it will feel bumpy aqt first - but thats due to it being set up to be stiff and responsive.

you can do thinks to soften it, but if you are heading that way then maybe the bike isnt right for you?

btw 700x35 arent skinny

 

[Fubar]

Less air will make the ride far harder (for you) and make you more prone to punctures - after advice from some clever CC guys I now have my tyres at 100psi. It may be that your ass if just not used to being back in the saddle and it all seemed much easier when you were young - my wife has just bought a bike after 37 years and she is really struggling in the ass department! As you get more experienced you tend to know when to lift yourself out of the saddle (which puts less pressure on the tyres), and tend to read the road better so you are not hitting every drain cover/pothole. I would give your body more time before changing anything on your bike. Regards, Mark

 

[cyberstretch]

it takes time to get used to a road bike - it will feel bumpy aqt first - but thats due to it being set up to be stiff and responsive.

you can do thinks to soften it, but if you are heading that way then maybe the bike isnt right for you?

btw 700x35 arent skinny

They are skinny compared to a mountain bike tyre which is what i am used to. But i am a novice and I know that they are wide considered to proper road/race tyres

 

[cyberstretch]

Less air will make the ride far harder (for you) and make you more prone to punctures - after advice from some clever CC guys I now have my tyres at 100psi. It may be that your ass if just not used to being back in the saddle and it all seemed much easier when you were young - my wife has just bought a bike after 37 years and she is really struggling in the ass department! As you get more experienced you tend to know when to lift yourself out of the saddle (which puts less pressure on the tyres), and tend to read the road better so you are not hitting every drain cover/pothole. I would give your body more time before changing anything on your bike. Regards, Mark

You could be right with the lack of recent saddle action contributing to my lack of enjoyment. I wish i was 15 again !

If i decide the 700c wheel/tyre combo is not for me, would i be wise to switch to a mountain bike and then put slicker road tyres on for my commute thus giving me the softer ride i desire ?

Thanks again

 

[Beebo]

you have to give it a bit more time.

I was in your position 2 years ago, your bum will hurt the first few times, but you will get used to it. You will find that you will start to anticpate bumps and take the impact on your legs and arms instead of your bum.

 

[potsy]

Get yourself a proper skinny tyred racer, then when you go back to your 35c tyred bike it will feel extremely comfortable
My 2 main bikes are 25c shod and 35c, the 35c one is way more forgiving on bumps and uneven road surfaces, never ridden a mtb but they must be really comfy

 

[ianrauk]

It would also help if you stopped cycling on pavements too.

 

[Rob3rt]

It would also help if you stopped cycling on pavements too.

Spot on!

 

[black'n'yellow]

Less air will make the ride far harder (for you) and make you more prone to punctures

on the contrary - depending on what pressure he has now, less air could make the ride easier and less prone to punctures.

As you get more experienced you tend to know when to lift yourself out of the saddle (which puts less pressure on the tyres)

how does that work then - does your body become instantly lighter when you get out of the saddle..?

 

[Fubar]

You could be right with the lack of recent saddle action contributing to my lack of enjoyment. I wish i was 15 again !

If i decide the 700c wheel/tyre combo is not for me, would i be wise to switch to a mountain bike and then put slicker road tyres on for my commute thus giving me the softer ride i desire ?

Thanks again

I started out on a cheap MTB (no real suspension) and once I knew I could do a decent distance I bought a road bike and the difference is amazing though it took time to get used to the different position - you have to consider what is best for you, do you really want a MTB just to put slicks on, or would a hybrid/roadie/touring bike suit you better?

I would persevere with the bike for the time being, have you considered padded shorts/undercrackers? They can make a big difference to the comfort, you can also get padded gel/memory foam saddles that can help.

 

[Rob3rt]

on the contrary - depending on what pressure he has now, less air could make the ride easier and less prone to punctures.



how does that work then - does your body become instantly lighter when you get out of the saddle..?

Put's less pressure on your arse for sure Might save you a winding!

 

[cyberstretch]

It would also help if you stopped cycling on pavements too.

An obvious and valid point. My commute involves part road then up dropped curbs to a cycle path and then a subway and back to some uneven cycle paths. Thats to quickest route, coulped with my hesitation to navigate busy roundabouts and also the need to ride the opposite side of the road due to a central reservation which would stop me turning into work. And no i dont want a microlight ! haha

 

[Fubar]

on the contrary - depending on what pressure he has now, less air could make the ride easier and less prone to punctures.

Ok, not what I've been told but I'm not going to argue with you.

[/quote] how does that work then - does your body become instantly lighter when you get out of the saddle..? [/quote]

Never said it did, though in my experience lifting yourself out the saddle puts less pressure on the tyres when bumping up onto pavements which is what the OP was referring to - I probably didn't make that explicitly clear.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ok, not what I've been told but I'm not going to argue with you.

Basically what B'n'Y is saying that harder tyres don't necessarily roll better.