Its been a long time

MikeCheryl

Hi all

My wife & I would like to get a bike each to go on local country roads but probably mostly on cycle paths and disused railway/canal tracks etc.

So, from what we can work out we needs a hybrid bike? could not find a forum heading for that so chose this one to post in, hope that's ok?

The last bike I had was a 3 speed thing about 1985 ish lol so I have been bewildered by what's on offer now.

We have looked at the Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 and the carrera crossfire 2/3 from Halfords.

Things I have decided.
I like the idea of the disc brakes, as it means easy wheel removal for transporting the bike in the back of the car.
So at the same time I need a quick realase front wheel.
I'd prefer twist grip gear changes but not essensial, just looks complex.
The Crossfire suggested we both need a 18'' frame.

I want mud guards, proper ones, why does nobody fit them these days lol?

OK, the gears gives me the chills, I knew where I was with my old three speed, but I have no cluse about these new ones! 18 to choose from :roll: do you back pedale to change?
How often does the chain come off, looks terrifying.

So there is my into, remember we need one for me and one for my wife of a similar type.
I think we can scrape together around £300 per bike, but of course we would also need all the bits to go with them, helmets, good lights, pumps, repair kits etc.

I know its a big ask but wonder if you guys could get us started.

All the best

Mike & Cheryl in West Sussex UK

cooldad

More or less in order:
I wouldn't worry about disc brakes, decent V's are more than adequate for what you want to do. Not a hassle to remove the wheel - just unhook the noodle.
Most front wheels are QR.
Paddle shifters are easy enough - you'll get used to them quickly. Most bikes with gripshifts are nasty BSO's unless you have top end kit, which would cost as much as your budget.
Don't worry about the number of gears, but I suggest you get 24 or 27, which will be fairly modern kit with freehubs.
Most (all?) 18 speed will have nasty kit and a freewheel hub.
You don't backpedal to change.
The chain should never come off if it's adjusted properly.
Mud guards - you can fit aftermarket stuff - I know some bikes come with mudguards but tend to be commutery/dutch style bikes, with baskets on the front.
No idea on size but if you post a pic of your wife you'll get some opinions. Unlikely to be on bike size but hey....
AS for bikes have a look at DEcathlon and Halfords - tend to be best value for money, then post up again with some specifics.
Have fun.

MikeCheryl

Hi

We have looked at the Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 and the carrera crossfire 2/3 from Halfords.

Thanks

Chunkers1980

And?

MikeCheryl

Hi, just an update, came away from Decathlon with a Rockrider 5.2 each.
All seems fine apart from the saddle which has killed my bum LOL, wife not too happy with hers either.
We are going to try and find one that is shaped more female sympathetically and I feel I need one that is wider, softer with springs.
We got the gell covers but they don't seem to do the job.
Any advice?

cooldad

Gel covers are the work of Satan and big padded saddles are no better. A saddle should support your sit bones. Too soft and it will compress the soft tissue and just cause more pain.
Bottom line is your butts will get used to it after a while with regular riding.
But often OE saddles are a bit nasty and you have to find one you're comfortable with. It's a personal thing.
Charge Spoon seems to fit most people fairly well and they are quite cheap, under £20 if you look around on EBay. I have them on all my bikes and so do a lot of people I ride with.
The also do a woman's model, the Ladle, but obviously I can't comment on that.
You'll pretty much get your money back anyway if you don't like it as they are very popular.

cooldad

The other alternative is a fitting. Specialised dealers do them but their saddles are pricy.

Anonymous

cooldad wrote:

The other alternative is a fitting. Specialised dealers do them but their saddles are pricy.

my local cycle specialist do fittings starting at around £30 for a "basic" fitting etc no suspension adjustment and a more advanced fitting for about £80 which includes setting up the entire bike for you including front suspension "sag" for your weight and rear suspension for your weight also adjust your seatpost and seat as well mind you there saddles start at £90 so take your credit card and hope for the best

Kowalski675

andrewgrundill wrote:

mind you there saddles start at £90 so take your credit card and hope for the best

Specialized's MTB saddles start at £25 for the Riva:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... Riva%20MTN

As do their recreational saddles:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... creational

Their advice on saddle fit is free. They have a butt measuring tool - you park your butt on it and your sit bones leave imprints in the foam, alongside which is a slidimg measure, which tells you which saddle width should suit your butt. If i remember rightly they have an exchange (30 days?) policy too, if you don't like the saddle you buy once you've tried it on your bike.

cooldad

This^^^^^^^
I meant a saddle fitting, not a bike fitting, which is pointless.

MikeCheryl

Thanks all, are all fittings the same?

Chunkers1980

That'll depend on your bones.:-)

It's like anything, how long's a bit of string. I'd do like CD says and not bother with the fitting and see how you both get on with the Charges.

cooldad

MikeCheryl wrote:

Thanks all, are all fittings the same?

Presume you mean will it fit your seatpost?
Not all are the same but except for a few odd rail sizes 99.9%* are and the Charges will fit whatever you have at the moment.

* 100% accurate stat - it's on the internet.

cooldad

Plus you get the opportunity to tell her she's got a wide ar5e. Win/win.

MikeCheryl

Hi all

Oddly found a very helpful chap at Halfords and ended up- with these:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ogId=10151

Just come back from 3 hour ride and they are so much better!

Just need to sort out the angle and height of the seats now, my wife finds she is putting too much pressure on her hands, so we have tried lowering the saddle a bit.

cooldad

OK - looks horrible to me - comfy on a short ride, but will be agony on a long one.
And don't lower the saddle - the right height is the right height.
You/she is using muscles etc not previously used - core strength builds up so you support yourself without leaning full weight on your hands.
The position of the levers is also important - try getting them at an angle so the wrists and hands are in line with the forearms.
And check for deathgrip - holding on too tight.

MikeCheryl

We found it really nice but then that could be due to the original one being really horrid LOL

Anyway you say " the right height is the right height" how do we assess that, in fact it would be really helpful at this stage to understand how a bike should fit a person? Thanks

cooldad

Saddle height - I have a straight leg with my heel on the pedal - so the leg is just slightly bent when the ball of the foot is on the pedal. Your leg should be virtually straight at the bottom of the stroke but without being overextended or the knee locked.
Everything else is just where things are comfortable. Bars about level or even slightly lower than the saddle, controls so my hands are in a straight line with my forearms.

MikeCheryl

OK great thanks, I am going to make a new thread about gears now.

viewtopic.php?f=40028&t=12928457&p=18390174#p18390174

Mighty Terrier

Try these. They work wonders. They also do ladies.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... s-ec027240

They sell them at all good bike shops.

Kowalski675

Mighty Terrier wrote:

Try these. They work wonders. They also do ladies.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... s-ec027240

They sell them at all good bike shops.

I've got the Endura 6 panel clickfast shorts - they make a huge difference to ass comfort.