Right I think I've bought the wrong bike so best place to sell/swap it.

[Kbrook]

I am making a right pigs ear of my first venture into road biking. I created a thread the other about having bought my first road bike with the wrong gears for me. I won't go into it too much but its a 52/39 with a 12/23. I have ordered a new rear cassette as advised and that is on its way its a 11/28. I am pretty sure that this is not going to be my saviour and I still will struggle on the hills. The only other thing I can do I suppose is to change my front cogs to effectively make it a compact, is that an easy job I have read about some diameter thing being different. It seems to me that is a right load of hassle.

So I thinkI am going to buy a new bike with a compact whats the best way to sell my existing bike. Do bike shops part exchange these days? Or is a bike forum or ebay the way to go.

 

[fossyant]

Get fit ?

You should be able to get up any hill with a 39 x 28.

Changing the chainset is an option - bank on about £100 to do so.

 

[snorri]

It sounds from your post that you could save time and money by applying more determination and physical effort in getting a higher performance from this "wrong" bike rather than changing components or replacing the bike. We all struggle on hills but after a few months of trying, and not a little sweat, these hills appear to level off to a limited extent.

 

[BSRU]

Struggling up hills is good, it means your putting some real work in.

Personally, if it's a good bike change the chain set to a compact and sell the original.

 

[MaxInc]

No amount of gearing is going to get rid of swearing and cursing up hills. Even with a compact and 30 cogs at the back, there's always going to be a hill steep enough to make you walk. Hills are like that, hard f?£@&ng work! But the satisfaction is equaly great once you conquer them.

Start with smaller hills and build your way up, no shortcuts here I'm afraid. It's what everyone does They become fun after a while See rules #5 and #10 for further guidance

 

[biggs682]

@Kbrook oh dear nobody ever said that cycling was easy .

And how much would you loose if you sold this bike and bought another bike especially if both are new ?

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks once again, I am sure this is a stupid question rules 5 and 10? I am fit always have been, can run a half marathons at a good pace but trouble is I am big at 6'3 and 15 stone. Weight doesn't seem to be an issue running like cycling and realistically no likelihood of me losing 2 stones. So on the advice of someone who says I should be able to get up anything with a 39/28 I am going to hold off further action, fit the new cassette and if that doesnt work fit new chain rings to the front.

Its a very sizeist sport this cycling isn't it, that said dont suppose many Kenyan long distance runners carry 15 stone either!

 

[Mile195]

Don't be too quick to sell!!!

Best thing to do initially is change your route. Start with some short rides, on flatter ground. Build yourself up gradually.

Don't go straight in for 50 mile rides on massive inclines or anything like that. You won't enjoy it and it'll put you right off. When I started road cycling in 2007, it was a 6 mile saunter each way, with only one small hill in it. It was 6 months before I tried going anywhere else, but when I did it was over the Surrey Hills, and they weren't as bad as I had expected. That 12 mile return commute had made me fitter than I think I had realised.

As has already been said, some hills will get you sweating and out of breath - that's just how it goes, and it doesn't matter how long you've been riding for (but that said, they won't be quite as painful, as time goes on!).

Give yourself maybe 8 or 12 weeks. Aim to go out a couple of times a week for half hour or so. Plan your route so you stick to flatter courses. If after that time you still feel very much the same then re-visit selling, but you should give it more of a chance first. I think you'll surprise yourself.

 

[Mile195]

Thanks once again, I am sure this is a stupid question rules 5 and 10? I am fit always have been, can run a half marathons at a good pace but trouble is I am big at 6'3 and 15 stone. Weight doesn't seem to be an issue running like cycling and realistically no likelihood of me losing 2 stones. So on the advice of someone who says I should be able to get up anything with a 39/28 I am going to hold off further action, fit the new cassette and if that doesnt work fit new chain rings to the front.

Its a very sizeist sport this cycling isn't it, that said dont suppose many Kenyan long distance runners carry 15 stone either!

Oh, and don't worry about your size. A mate of mine just did JOGLE. He's 16 stone.

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks mile195 and everyone else, no idea what JOGLE is but I am sure google will tell me!

 

[Mile195]

John O'Groats - Lands End. About 1000 miles!

 

[Kbrook]

Of course doh!

 

[MaxInc]

Thanks once again, I am sure this is a stupid question rules 5 and 10? I am fit always have been, can run a half marathons at a good pace but trouble is I am big at 6'3 and 15 stone ... Its a very sizeist sport this cycling isn't it, that said dont suppose many Kenyan long distance runners carry 15 stone either!

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ Some people take the rules very seriously, I find them quite funny and inspiring every time I feel like giving up

Unfortunately running uses a different set of muscles than cycling and even if you are pretty fit overall chances are you will still need a bit of training to get used to the new sport. If you are particularly muscular or heavy, it doesn't help uphill either since gravity is working against you, your options are either stronger legs or lighter body or easier gearing. The thing is your legs are going to get stronger anyways and while gearing may help initially, it will come a point when you will revert to the original setup.

As for the weight, to be honest, I would rather walk my bike uphills than dreaming of a pro climber's body I my case however, there's plenty of ballast to be dropped before that. On the good side, your top speed on descents will be so much higher

 

[Lee_M]

Get fit ?

You should be able to get up any hill with a 39 x 28.

Changing the chainset is an option - bank on about £100 to do so.

i agree about getting fit, but dont be daft, you might be able to get up any hill with a 39x 28 but thats not the case with everyone and in every situation.

for example after a ride from london i doubt i could then get up ditchling on that gearing, And Im sure Im not alone

 

[fossyant]

i agree about getting fit, but dont be daft, you might be able to get up any hill with a 39x 28 but thats not the case with everyone and in every situation.

for example after a ride from london i doubt i could then get up ditchling on that gearing, And Im sure Im not alone

I haven't got a 28