Starting out and advice on how far to push things
bretttt
Posts: 11
So ive recently purchased my first road bike coming from a mtb.
Went for a 2nd Hand Ribble 872 which Im over the moon with from a local guy who i could tell had respect for it,
Im 6ft the bikes a Large, fits nice but i do feel tension around the back of neck and shoulders, did some research and put it down to maybe not relaxing enough , bars to small 42 c -c when im a 46 , seat height.
Still trying to get the right set up with stem / seat / peddles but i feel im slowely getting there.
Looking into seats atm, Anyone live in the West Midlands ( Coventry ) and can recommend a good LBS for trying different saddles, Is it worth paying for a bike fit ?
thanks
Went for a 2nd Hand Ribble 872 which Im over the moon with from a local guy who i could tell had respect for it,
Im 6ft the bikes a Large, fits nice but i do feel tension around the back of neck and shoulders, did some research and put it down to maybe not relaxing enough , bars to small 42 c -c when im a 46 , seat height.
Still trying to get the right set up with stem / seat / peddles but i feel im slowely getting there.
Looking into seats atm, Anyone live in the West Midlands ( Coventry ) and can recommend a good LBS for trying different saddles, Is it worth paying for a bike fit ?
thanks
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Comments
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bretttt wrote:Can anyone give me some advice please on what sort of distances & how often, people start out with when first starting out ?
I dont want to go pushing myself to much to often and causing body issues.
Impossible for anyone to recommend distances to you, as nobody knows your level of fitness. Generally, just ride as often as you like, as far as you want. Your body will tell you when to rest.0 -
Imposter wrote:bretttt wrote:Can anyone give me some advice please on what sort of distances & how often, people start out with when first starting out ?
I dont want to go pushing myself to much to often and causing body issues.
Impossible for anyone to recommend distances to you, as nobody knows your level of fitness. Generally, just ride as often as you like, as far as you want. Your body will tell you when to rest.
Thanks, I thought the same thing after I posted it.
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Sounds like you have the right idea.
It is definitely worth tracking down a shop which will let you try and return different saddles, but if you have one that suits from your MTB you can just swap over. If you find one that works stick with it!
Bike fit - probably depends on who you use, but make sure you do a bit of research before paying anyway. There is a lot of basic set-up info out there and with a few pics of yourself you'll be able to check you are within normal ranges for saddle height, angle etc. Most people will not need a set-up to be able to find a comfortable position.
Don't be too slow to join a club, most have groups which will suit a beginner and will get you started on the right foot. That said, if you want to get comfortable on the bike and make some fitness improvements I'd try and get out for at least a couple of rides during the week (say an hour or 90 mins) and a longer ride at the weekend (2 or 3 hours with a cafe stop would be pretty achievable for most beginners).0 -
58585 wrote:Sounds like you have the right idea.
It is definitely worth tracking down a shop which will let you try and return different saddles, but if you have one that suits from your MTB you can just swap over. If you find one that works stick with it!
Bike fit - probably depends on who you use, but make sure you do a bit of research before paying anyway. There is a lot of basic set-up info out there and with a few pics of yourself you'll be able to check you are within normal ranges for saddle height, angle etc. Most people will not need a set-up to be able to find a comfortable position.
Don't be too slow to join a club, most have groups which will suit a beginner and will get you started on the right foot. That said, if you want to get comfortable on the bike and make some fitness improvements I'd try and get out for at least a couple of rides during the week (say an hour or 90 mins) and a longer ride at the weekend (2 or 3 hours with a cafe stop would be pretty achievable for most beginners).
Excellent, defiantly some good advice taken on board.
Been watching some of the GCN youtube clips and many more tips for setting up the equipment correctly.
The photo while sitting on the bike is a good idea
thank you0 -
Looking into seats atm, Anyone live in the West Midlands ( Coventry ) and can recommend a good LBS for trying different saddles, Is it worth paying for a bike fit ?
How far can you travel? I am not too familiar with Coventry but am in the West Mids so know of a couple of places that may be worth checking out. Midland Bike Fit is one option, pretty much does as it says, bike fitting services. It is run by a chap called Dan Cox and he certainly used to offer test saddles and fitting as well. Might be worth giving him a ring to see what he can do. The other is Bicicielo in Sutton Coldfield. Again, they offer bike fits and certainly used to offer test saddles. I have used both places in the past and would recommend either.0 -
Sorry, just remembered that Dan has moved premises, he is now in Cannock.Midland Bike Fit is one option0 -
Midlands Grimpeur wrote:Looking into seats atm, Anyone live in the West Midlands ( Coventry ) and can recommend a good LBS for trying different saddles, Is it worth paying for a bike fit ?
How far can you travel? I am not too familiar with Coventry but am in the West Mids so know of a couple of places that may be worth checking out. Midland Bike Fit is one option, pretty much does as it says, bike fitting services. It is run by a chap called Dan Cox and he certainly used to offer test saddles and fitting as well. Might be worth giving him a ring to see what he can do. The other is Bicicielo in Sutton Coldfield. Again, they offer bike fits and certainly used to offer test saddles. I have used both places in the past and would recommend either.
Im prepared to travel if it means i get the correct equipment,
I will look into these guys, thanks for the info as always good to have recommendations0 -
Lutterworth cycles - bizarrely it’s a really good shop in really crappy town.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
58585 wrote:Sounds like you have the right idea.
It is definitely worth tracking down a shop which will let you try and return different saddles, but if you have one that suits from your MTB you can just swap over. If you find one that works stick with it!
Bike fit - probably depends on who you use, but make sure you do a bit of research before paying anyway. There is a lot of basic set-up info out there and with a few pics of yourself you'll be able to check you are within normal ranges for saddle height, angle etc. Most people will not need a set-up to be able to find a comfortable position.
Don't be too slow to join a club, most have groups which will suit a beginner and will get you started on the right foot. That said, if you want to get comfortable on the bike and make some fitness improvements I'd try and get out for at least a couple of rides during the week (say an hour or 90 mins) and a longer ride at the weekend (2 or 3 hours with a cafe stop would be pretty achievable for most beginners).
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
If this is your experience of clubs - and you have expressed this view consistently for a long time - has it occurred to you that this might reflect more on you than it does on clubs?FFS! Harden up and grow a pair0 -
Svetty wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
If this is your experience of clubs - and you have expressed this view consistently for a long time - has it occurred to you that this might reflect more on you than it does on clubs?
No. Many people who think independently, are not sheep and do not have to wear the same clothes as other people in a vain attempt to fit in feel the same or pretend to people at work that they are "proper cyclists", otherwise we would all be members of NobJobbers CC or whatever club.
No need at all unless you want to race, then just join so you can do that.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Matthewfalle wrote:Svetty wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
If this is your experience of clubs - and you have expressed this view consistently for a long time - has it occurred to you that this might reflect more on you than it does on clubs?
No. Many people who think independently, are not sheep and do not have to wear the same clothes as other people in a vain attempt to fit in feel the same or pretend to people at work that they are "proper cyclists", otherwise we would all be members of NobJobbers CC or whatever club.
No need at all unless you want to race, then just join so you can do that.
+1
Clubs nowadays are mainly for dull people who like socialising with other dull people, and mostly because they have no awareness that they are themselves, dull.
Cycling out to stop and eat cake with a bunch of dull ****s, like some pedal powered WI, no thanks.0 -
As an experiment, go out on a club run and see how much less of a laugh you have with them as compared to riding with your mates and our points will be proven.
I think it was sort of summed up by that bloke a while back appealing on here for ideas to make his club meal more interesting because a) no one turned up and b) those who did we really really fucking boring. Then compare that to going for a meal with your friends.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
If you are reasonably happy that you won't have a heart attack, do take Salt And Pepper's advice, two or three times a week.
After having my Cube for a year, I'm still playing around with the stem setup from time to time, because on longer rides like yesterday's four hour pootle my shoulder blade muscles got quite stiff by the time I got home. I should know better than to stay in one hand position (the hoods) for ~99% of a ride duration like that, but that's what I did.
With the steerer uncut (with head angle 72.5 degrees), I've got 35mm of spacers on there with the stem stack being 40mm, so I can move things up and down 30mm plus I can have +/-6 degrees on the 110mm stem. So between the extreme options (up top with +6 upwards and down bottom with -6 downwards), I can change the height of the bar tops by 50mm and the reach by 16mm.
http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php
I suspect that I need to lower the stem more, currently I have 20mm of the spacers above the stem.================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
Push yourself until you puke. Then have a drink and a small rest. Then push yourself until you puke again. Repeat this process until you don’t puke anymore.0
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Milemuncher1 wrote:Push yourself until you puke. Then have a drink and a small rest. Then push yourself until you puke again. Repeat this process until you don’t puke anymore.
Says the guy who rides everywhere at 13mph...0 -
Imposter wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:Push yourself until you puke. Then have a drink and a small rest. Then push yourself until you puke again. Repeat this process until you don’t puke anymore.
Says the guy who rides everywhere at 13mph...
If I’m on a Lead social ride and I’m limited by the pace of the slowest rider, then yes.
However, if I’m with a slightly better bunch, this is more likely. And if they’re really good, I can get up to 20’s. Fancy that.0 -
Says the guy who pukes at 15.6mph....0
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Imposter wrote:Says the guy who pukes at 15.6mph....
It’s rare that it’s me that pukes, even when I really get to open the taps. I don’t do ‘smashing stuff’ these days, I can’t be arsed.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:Push yourself until you puke. Then have a drink and a small rest. Then push yourself until you puke again. Repeat this process until you don’t puke anymore.
Wouldn't you still puke but you'd just be going faster when you do surely?
OP, don't follow that advice, you'll hate it and not stick at it As others have said, ride with friends or a club (then find friends in the club and ride with them outside club rides), and try and ease into it distance wise. I think a lot of pain will subside as you get used to it 0 -
It sounds as if you are a prime candidate for a bike fit, your'e not too far from Adrian Timmis (http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/) and I only hear good things about him.0
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I would get a degree of fitness before joining a club, nothing major but make sure your ok with 30/40 mile rides.
Its not mandatory to join club - I don't and probably never will race - but living in the west mids it nice to find routes down all the little lanes and quiet roads - which I wouldn't be able to do on my own (well not easily) - I really like riding with a group - if you have a group of mates who cycle when and at a pace you like then great - if you want to find such folk then a club is an option.0 -
Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
^^^ Seconded. Theres one club near me where some of them are the most bitchy and jealous people Ive ever met. Another club had a "ride leader" who would patronisingly bark orders like the drill instructor from the Full Metal Jacket film.
There has been some bizarre instances where they'd shout out for the sake of it, like potholes on the far side of the carriageway literally 30 feet to the side, or the guys who were in the front of the club could manage to cross a junction on their own but theres always that person who INSISTS we tell him its clear to cross the road. I simply dont understand why he can't look for himself too?
I actually enjoyed cycling on my own, so I don't have to listen to them.
The positive thing about a group ride is they might push you that bit harder compared to what you'd normally do on your own (not to be confused with drafting behind someone all day) Ive had some good hard workouts with the right group."The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
ben@31 wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
^^^ Seconded. Theres one club near me where some of them are the most bitchy and jealous people Ive ever met. Another club had a "ride leader" who would patronisingly bark orders like the drill instructor from the Full Metal Jacket film.
There has been some bizarre instances where they'd shout out for the sake of it, like potholes on the far side of the carriageway literally 30 feet to the side, or the guys who were in the front of the club could manage to cross a junction on their own but theres always that person who INSISTS we tell him its clear to cross the road. I simply dont understand why he can't look for himself too?
I actually enjoyed cycling on my own, so I don't have to listen to them.
The positive thing about a group ride is they might push you that bit harder compared to what you'd normally do on your own (not to be confused with drafting behind someone all day) Ive had some good hard workouts with the right group.
Sounds like you live near me!!!0 -
ben@31 wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
^^^ Seconded. Theres one club near me where some of them are the most bitchy and jealous people Ive ever met. Another club had a "ride leader" who would patronisingly bark orders like the drill instructor from the Full Metal Jacket film.
There has been some bizarre instances where they'd shout out for the sake of it, like potholes on the far side of the carriageway literally 30 feet to the side, or the guys who were in the front of the club could manage to cross a junction on their own but theres always that person who INSISTS we tell him its clear to cross the road. I simply dont understand why he can't look for himself too?
I actually enjoyed cycling on my own, so I don't have to listen to them.
The positive thing about a group ride is they might push you that bit harder compared to what you'd normally do on your own (not to be confused with drafting behind someone all day) Ive had some good hard workouts with the right group.
this made me smile
ok thanks guys for the feedback, yes Im continuing to ride out with my friends to which others have stated I find them pushing me more due to different fitness levels.
In no real rush to join a club, being in the westmidlands its great to be able to just ride off down these lanes on my doorstep.0 -
davebradswmb wrote:It sounds as if you are a prime candidate for a bike fit, your'e not too far from Adrian Timmis (http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/) and I only hear good things about him.
interesting ,thank you for the link I may defiantly consider contacting Adrian,
Just coninuing to build my core strength up atm and hopefully some aches and pains with subside ( hopefully ) 0 -
I’ve experienced both good and bad clubs but if you find the right one it can be more fun and improve your cycling.
I live near you (Leamington) and would definitely recommend Warwick lantern rouge cycling club, few guys travel over from Coventry to ride with them.
Give me a shout if you want more info0 -
Have you tried Pilates? I started doing that recently (only started cycling last year) and find it really good for stretching and working on core strength. It's quite relaxing as well.0
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ben@31 wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
Joining a club is not necessary - just find some friends and go riding with them.
Less cliquey, less annoying people, less snobbishness, less “ooooooh he hasn’t earned it” kinda billshit.
^^^ Seconded. Theres one club near me where some of them are the most bitchy and jealous people Ive ever met. Another club had a "ride leader" who would patronisingly bark orders like the drill instructor from the Full Metal Jacket film.
There has been some bizarre instances where they'd shout out for the sake of it, like potholes on the far side of the carriageway literally 30 feet to the side, or the guys who were in the front of the club could manage to cross a junction on their own but theres always that person who INSISTS we tell him its clear to cross the road. I simply dont understand why he can't look for himself too?
I actually enjoyed cycling on my own, so I don't have to listen to them.
The positive thing about a group ride is they might push you that bit harder compared to what you'd normally do on your own (not to be confused with drafting behind someone all day) Ive had some good hard workouts with the right group.
the right club is good - the wrong club isn't. Knobs in all walks of life - cycling isn't any different. I've been moaned at for not having good enough mudguards - not that I cared, they're good enough for me and the clubs I usually ride with don't bother with mudguards.
The good clubs will have rides that encourage you to go out and go that bit further, faster and in weather that you'd normally not bother - why? Because you make friends with the other guys'n'girls in the club and enjoy that social element of it.
I've done - and still do - quite a bit of solo riding - yes, it's nice being able to ride at my own pace and do my own course - but it's pretty lonely stopping for coffee and cake...0 -
doogan wrote:Have you tried Pilates? I started doing that recently (only started cycling last year) and find it really good for stretching and working on core strength. It's quite relaxing as well.
Let's not complicate things. I would suggest replacing the time you would have spent on pilates, by doing more cycling instead. Not only will more cycling make you better at cycling, it will also improve your core strength as much as is needed for cycling. Alternatively, your 'core' might already be fine as it is. Most people's are...0
