Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[SpokeyDokey]

You're still meant to reach the floor, just on tippy toes!

Is that right?

I have my bike set up with the 109% method and definitely can't do the toesy thing.

 

[AndyPeace]

Is that right?

I have my bike set up with the 109% method and definitely can't do the toesy thing.

109%? I'm sure I could google it but I thought I'd ask what's that about then?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

109%? I'm sure I could google it but I thought I'd ask what's that about then?

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/how-to-get-your-seat-height-right-14608/

I did this and the .883 Lemond method and they are virtually the same.

 

[themosquitoking]

109%? I'm sure I could google it but I thought I'd ask what's that about then?

It's about 9% above maximum.

 

[Steve Donovan]

Hi all.
I bought my Btwin Triban 3 at the weekend. It's been many years (20 years) since I've done any meaningful cycling so I'm taking a bit of getting used to the gears on the new bike.
Had my first proper ride the other day, 14 miles in and around hilly Halifax, 900ft elev gain according to strava.
My aim is to commute 2 or 3 times a week to work, which is about 6.5 miles away. I tried the route tonight, there and back. It took me about 90 mins altogether, about 13 miles with an elev gain of 1100ft.
Feeling pretty chuffed that I can actually do it. Now I just need to get some practice miles in before I brave the commute for real.

 

[SWSteve]

Hi all.
I bought my Btwin Triban 3 at the weekend. It's been many years (20 years) since I've done any meaningful cycling so I'm taking a bit of getting used to the gears on the new bike.
Had my first proper ride the other day, 14 miles in and around hilly Halifax, 900ft elev gain according to strava.
My aim is to commute 2 or 3 times a week to work, which is about 6.5 miles away. I tried the route tonight, there and back. It took me about 90 mins altogether, about 13 miles with an elev gain of 1100ft.
Feeling pretty chuffed that I can actually do it. Now I just need to get some practice miles in before I brave the commute for real.

You've done a dummy run which is twice the distance, good on you. You'll soon learn of easier options for the journey with traffic - the other day I passed someone, and then he met me at a turning further down the road. It was only after talking to him I learned of a different turning to take that avoids a villlage I cycle through.

Congratulations on starting your journey, you'll soon find yourself trying to spend weekends sat on the saddle

 

[Nomadski]

Is that right?

I have my bike set up with the 109% method and definitely can't do the toesy thing.

I used the heel method and it has worked wonders for me and post ride fatigue. Im sure its dangerous not being able to reach the floor at all without coming off your saddle, I would say that's a sure sign your saddle is too high.

 

[SWSteve]

I think I need to drop my saddle a cm or two. Going to do it tomorrow for cycle home. Hopefully I can still power past the traffic in my pink jersey

 

[PedalPedalFallOff]

They might be, an alternative is the Bryton series much the same as garmin, if anything a tad more accurate,You can get a 20T with H.R. and Cad for £126 from Evan at the mo. Their site uploads direct to Strava, and the webpage is looking good these days, also is not sole based on the web page for uploading.
The Garmins you can just use as an external device, so drop and drop files, not sure if you can do this yet with the bryton, but it is only a minor thing. An edge 200 without H.R. and Cad (it doesn't support them) is £99 but does have a breadcrumb trial you can follow. The 40E much the same as a 500 can be had for £135 an edge 500 £152, then H.R. and cad for both (both can be got with either or both)
The battery life on the Brytons is also supposed to be better, upto 35 hrs (18 on the 500), mind I have never run a battery flat yet.

Cheers for advice, never even heard of Bryton so will investigate.

 

[PedalPedalFallOff]

All questions welcome on this thread.

As for a road bike, you would be hard pushed to beat this for a starter.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html

Didn't think you could get Road Bike that cheap! Might spend a bit more as can get it on Cycle to work scheme, but that is probably a few months away

 

[PedalPedalFallOff]

Quick question guys, if you don't have a fancy expensive Garmin how do you figure out where you going? Currently I plan it out on Map My Ride or similar and then write it down on paper. Only got lost once so far!

 

[AndyPeace]

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/how-to-get-your-seat-height-right-14608/

I did this and the .883 Lemond method and they are virtually the same.

I checked this measurement and it turns that's where it's set up to. I'd used the heel to pedal method before and it was too low for me and I've been slowly raising it on feel must be some other setting that is holding me back from a monstrous average.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I checked this measurement and it turns that's where it's set up to. I'd used the heel to pedal method before and it was too low for me and I've been slowly raising it on feel must be some other setting that is holding me back from a monstrous average.

I started off with the heel method and it felt ok for a while. I too fiddled with a few height settings and like you when I found the above link it was almost there - if I remember correctly it was just under a cm too low.

I even got Lovely Wife to video me from behind to make sure my hips were not rocking.

LW thinks I have gotten too serious over bike fit and (gently) teases me - I just remind her of the frequent Hair Fuss I have to put up with on her part!

 

[AndyPeace]

Quick question guys, if you don't have a fancy expensive Garmin how do you figure out where you going? Currently I plan it out on Map My Ride or similar and then write it down on paper. Only got lost once so far!

I have a Garmin 800 but to be honest I rarely use the navigation. I plan the route, pick out place names and follow road signs. tbh, I do get lost...or as I like to think of it "I will change my route on a whim". The more you cycle in an area the better you'll be. I've done a fair wadge of miles locally this year and even when I'm 'off route' I have an inkling as to where the road leads. obviously, if your going somewhere.. i.e. work, social , etc I think your current way is the best.

 

[Nomadski]

I love my Garmin 800! It really depends on how much use you will get out of the turn by turn navigation. Do you know your routes well? Are you going further afield, or just local? I like the device actually knows where I am, Im not a gps plot on a blank canvas as far as it thinks, it knows where the roads are, and where they arent.

Some people use cheap as chips gps devices and thats fine, if the mapping isnt a high priority you have a large choice.