I want a push bike, but what to get ?

[Davey B]

I'd not go any further for a few rides. Very slow build up. The last thing you want to do now is knacker yourself or be put off by a sore arse. Persevere with the saddle for a few rides, your arse needs a fair bit of time to acclimatise and you'd like have a similar issue on pretty much any other saddle until your arse toughens up a bit. As DC suggests, the easy old fashioned method for seat height is as he describes with heel on pedal at the bottom of the pedals travel so that the crank arm is in line with the seat tube. You should be able to ever so slightly bend your leg at the knee but if your hip rocks down or up on that side, the saddle is too high or too low.....we are talking mm of adjustment at a time here.

 

[stever1]

I'd not go any further for a few rides. Very slow build up. The last thing you want to do now is knacker yourself or be put off by a sore arse. Persevere with the saddle for a few rides, your arse needs a fair bit of time to acclimatise and you'd like have a similar issue on pretty much any other saddle until your arse toughens up a bit. As DC suggests, the easy old fashioned method for seat height is as he describes with heel on pedal at the bottom of the pedals travel so that the crank arm is in line with the seat tube. You should be able to ever so slightly bend your leg at the knee but if your hip rocks down or up on that side, the saddle is too high or too low.....we are talking mm of adjustment at a time here.

That’s what I’m doing, after I altered the seat and went out, I feel it’s still a bit low so I raised it just a tad when I got home.
on reflection, I think I should have gone to my other ’target’ which is about another km away. But in that rain it just wasn’t up for it.

 

[Davey B]

I've had a quick look at where you are and you've loads of decent options for riding on relatively quiet roads. 100 in August should be a piece of cake ! 6.5 miles every other day starting on the 1st !

 

[Davy F]

I’ve been lucky enough today to buy an Ultra Violet Raleigh Chopper. 1 hr 40 mins in the online queue, but successful this time. It’s only taken me 50 years to get one.

 

[stever1]

I've had a quick look at where you are and you've loads of decent options for riding on relatively quiet roads. 100 in August should be a piece of cake ! 6.5 miles every other day starting on the 1st !

Now done a 5.5 mile ride. Must try harder.

 

[stever1]

Bloody hell. I didn’t know we had so many big mountains around here. I’ve just been out and seemed to hit a quiet time on the roads.
did a longer ride, but somehow managed a higher speed and more climbing as well.
i think the saddle is definitely a limiting factor though. Lungs not to bad even though I set a speed so I was breathing quicker.
knees ok
ass sore.
all in all it’s good.

 

[AndyB_11]

I find that the first 5 miles are harder than the subsequent ones so I can comfortably do 15 to 20 miles as long as I avoid long hills which fuck me up big time.

The hardest part is getting the seat right because simply doing that will give you an extra 5 miles and getting your gear changes timed correctly also helps more than you’d expect.

 

[stever1]

I find that the first 5 miles are harder than the subsequent ones so I can comfortably do 15 to 20 miles as long as I avoid long hills which fuck me up big time.

The hardest part is getting the seat right because simply doing that will give you an extra 5 miles and getting your gear changes timed correctly also helps more than you’d expect.

Don’t think I’ll be doing 15 or 20 miles on this saddle. I did about 6.5 miles and had a short stop to ease the discomfort on the arse. Then continued.
looking into changing it soon.

 

[AndyB_11]

Tha

Don’t think I’ll be doing 15 or 20 miles on this saddle. I did about 6.5 miles and had a short stop to ease the discomfort on the arse. Then continued.
looking into changing it soon

Don’t think I’ll be doing 15 or 20 miles on this saddle. I did about 6.5 miles and had a short stop to ease the discomfort on the arse. Then continued.
looking into changing it soon.

That’s exactly why I went to a shop, purchased a new saddle and had it ‘fitted’ to suit me and that was both height plus forward/aft so it’s comfortable.

I’m essentially a lazy bastard so I didn’t want to be wasting effort or putting myself through misery and the fitting was money well spent. An average ride for me is 10 miles to a pub, a couple of pints and home though if it’s not too hot or windy I can push that to 15 miles before beer time. I ride for my pleasure, not for kudos of fitness gains but because I enjoy it or I wouldn’t waste my time.

 

[Udders]

Don’t think I’ll be doing 15 or 20 miles on this saddle. I did about 6.5 miles and had a short stop to ease the discomfort on the arse. Then continued.
looking into changing it soon.

If you go to a good bike shop ( not the likes of halfrauds ) they should have a “ sit machine “ which, you guessed it, sit on and it has pressure pads on it. They show what shape your arse / pelvis is and can suggest the correct shape saddle for you specifically. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still gonna hurt for a while, but if you have the correct shaped saddle it’ll hurt for a shorter period of time. Well worth the time and expense.

 

[stever1]

If you go to a good bike shop ( not the likes of halfrauds ) they should have a “ sit machine “ which, you guessed it, sit on and it has pressure pads on it. They show what shape your arse / pelvis is and can suggest the correct shape saddle for you specifically. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still gonna hurt for a while, but if you have the correct shaped saddle it’ll hurt for a shorter period of time. Well worth the time and expense.

Done that, I’m 143mm Apparently

 

[Udders]

Oh ok. So it’s just a case of getting used to it then. I’m presuming you bought the right saddle?

 

[stever1]

Oh ok. So it’s just a case of getting used to it then. I’m presuming you bought the right saddle?

No. I bought a giant bike. But the seat sensor thing was in a specialised shop. I’m going to get another saddle soon.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I used the sit on a cardboard sheet method as per the tredz website. I ordered a new seat closest to my size... I don't think it's right for me but it wasn't too expensive so I'm not too unhappy with it.

 

[DC]

No. I bought a giant bike. But the seat sensor thing was in a specialised shop. I’m going to get another saddle soon.

get a saddle at 145 ,this is the large std size, make sure it has the middle missing though, this allows flex. acts like a suspension for the arse if you like . they vary in price from £25 to £300 plus. you will get what you pay for. some places let you try a saddle, they give you one to use on your bike for a few hours before you purchase.

 

[Davey B]

As I said previously, Specialised used to (2019-2020) allow exchanges of saddles, so I'd recommend trying one of theirs in a 143 width and take it from there....but also bear in mind you're brand new to this sitting on a skinny push bike seat malarkey so you need to give it time (but a correct fitting saddle is a must)

 

[Big-G]

Don’t worry about the saddle, you’ll get used to it finally. The problem with any rider when they start is you need to toughen up your muscles and that will come with riding and sitting. If anything look at the charge spoon.
These are very inexpensive and a particularly comfortable and seem to fit a wide range of rider.


Sent from my backyard

 

[stever1]

Just a quick update lads..

I’ve signed up for a sponsored ride for prostate cancer charity. 100 miles in a month. All sponsorship gratefully received.

I'm taking on Cycle the Month

I'm raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by taking part in Cycle the Month.

cyclethemonth.prostatecanceruk.org

 

[stever1]

Last practice ride today. Oh, I do need another saddle. I did 9 miles , non stop. I think I could do more if I change it.
im actually starting to look forward to the sponsored ride now.

 

[stever1]

Well the challenge started today.
after changing the saddle I did 9.4 miles this morning. I’m like a guided missile , at over 11 mph average.
went out again this afternoon but it was a bit much. Perhaps I’ll stick to 1 ride a day.