The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by allantheboss

I got it. Did 30 miles, and I feel like crying. My back kills (I have back spasms(arch in lower back isn't as prominent as it should be)) to the extent I don't even want to ride it again. And it's bumpy as hell, Halford gave me the impression it was a hybrid! It's totally more racing than road! Thought I don't doubt it's a great bike, I've had two significant reasons to not use is on my first ever ride. So unhappy, I was in love at first sight.

I'm goign to Halfords tomorrow to ask if it's too late to exchange.

The main reason your back is killing you is because you've used muscles that you haven't used in a long time, and you've done too much too soon.

Your body needs a bit of time to adjust to riding again, plus maybe your position on the bike isn't right, especially if Halfrauds set it up for you.

Were you wearing padded shorts? Another cause of discomfort.

The OEM saddle may also not be suitable for you, we all have our own favourites.

So don't give up after one ride, you need to sort some of these issues out first

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Might be cheaper if your rear mech will take it, to look at a MTB rear cassette, i.e. something in the 11-32 kind of area. Or failing that you'll get away depending on your rear mech with a 28 tooth on the back.

Did the research and my RD6700 Ultegra rear mech with SS cage will handle the CS6700 28-11 Ultegra cassette. Would be daft if it didn't, i suppose! Interestingly (well, to me at least!) the slightly older Ultegra RD6600 can't cope with the 28-11 cassette. According to Shimano, that is

Fitted the cassette yesterday but haven't tried it/adjusted the mech yet as I decided to change the chain too. Old chain off but new one not yet fitted. Suspect that not much mech adjustment will be needed.

Originally Posted by maviczap

The OEM saddle may also not be suitable for you, we all have our own favourites.

So don't give up after one ride, you need to sort some of these issues out first

The OEM saddle on my Carrera was way too wide. Changed for a narrower gel one and all was well.

Agree with set up advice - saddle and bar-height are crucial. The Gryphon has an adjustable stem, yes?

oi..

I just sold summat on e bay

the man who came to collect turned up in a flash liveried car all white n black all racked up on the top..

turns out he is a pro cyclist..

christian.. or christopher .. House.. very tall black curly hair- good looking very tanned.. bl00dy good job mandy wasnt in !

u know he?

Originally Posted by northwind

There's a lot you can do to a bike to improve comfort... Move bars around
But it is a hybrid, and it's really not that racy. It's on the faster end of hybrids mind.

Halford man says that the bars aren't changeable, they're part of the steering head. He also said it's not a hybrid. If this isn't racy I feel so sorry for the gooches of racing riders! I could feel every tiny little bump in the road

Originally Posted by maviczap

The main reason your back is killing you is because you've used muscles that you haven't used in a long time, and you've done too much too soon.

Your body needs a bit of time to adjust to riding again, plus maybe your position on the bike isn't right, especially if Halfrauds set it up for you.

Were you wearing padded shorts? Another cause of discomfort.

The OEM saddle may also not be suitable for you, we all have our own favourites.

So don't give up after one ride, you need to sort some of these issues out first

I don't think that's right. I'm pretty fit and do a lot of stretching, my back hurts when I do javelin and even sometimes in basketball. Like I said, I've got back spasms; the lumbar of my spine is misshapen, so unless I undergo severe re-constructive surgery there's little chance of it going away. I wasn't at all tired, but had to stop twice just for my back (and I've got a pretty big pain threshold).

Also "riding again"- I've never been a cyclist per say, but I get your point. I will give it another go, I hope it gets better like you say.

The saddle is quite high compared to the bars, I'd say almost 10 inches higher. The bars can't be raised for the same reason as mentioned above.

I do plan on trying a different seat, but I'm sure I can get used to gooch-pains, it's just the lean-over when I'm riding and how it affects my back.

Thanks for your advice guys, I'll keep at it. Very, very much appreciated!

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

oi..

I just sold summat on e bay

the man who came to collect turned up in a flash liveried car all white n black all racked up on the top..

turns out he is a pro cyclist..

christian.. or christopher .. House.. very tall black curly hair- good looking very tanned.. bl00dy good job mandy wasnt in !

u know he?

Yep Christian House is a pro cyclist, can't remember which team he cycles for, maybe Rapha Condor.

You gotta sign at your place saying Pro cyclists welcome

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by allantheboss

Halford man says that the bars aren't changeable, they're part of the steering head. He also said it's not a hybrid. If this isn't racy I feel so sorry for the gooches of racing riders! I could feel every tiny little bump in the road !

Sorry but the Halfords man is talking complete and utter bollox on both counts. I'd ram the handlebar stem straight down his gob for saying this

Your bike like most new bikes has an Ahead type steering/headbearing set up. You can change the bars and steering stem. You'll be able to get one with a bit of a rise to help, as the standard one looks almost flat. You can change the bars to ones with bends in them to also give you a bit more height.

Originally Posted by allantheboss

I don't think that's right. I'm pretty fit and do a lot of stretching, my back hurts when I do javelin and even sometimes in basketball. Like I said, I've got back spasms; the lumbar of my spine is misshapen, so unless I undergo severe re-constructive surgery there's little chance of it going away. I wasn't at all tired, but had to stop twice just for my back (and I've got a pretty big pain threshold).

Also "riding again"- I've never been a cyclist per say, but I get your point. I will give it another go, I hope it gets better like you say.

The saddle is quite high compared to the bars, I'd say almost 10 inches higher. The bars can't be raised for the same reason as mentioned above.

I do plan on trying a different seat, but I'm sure I can get used to gooch-pains, it's just the lean-over when I'm riding and how it affects my back.

Thanks for your advice guys, I'll keep at it. Very, very much appreciated!

You've been using the 2 biggest muscles in your body, which are directly connected to your back, plus as you say you've been in a streteched out position on your bike as well, neither have helped your back.

The difference in the saddle to bar height could be a factor in your discomfort, which may mean that Halfrauds have set the saddle too high.

The formula I use to calculate my saddle height is to multiply my inside leg from crotch to floor in socks by 0.885 so mine is roughly 33cm (I think ) x 0.885 = 75.5cm

Transfer this measurement from the centre of the crank to the top of the saddle following the line of the seat tube.

I too have a curvature in my spine & legs of different lengths,

Turns out that despite I ordered a 60cm (24") frame Gryphon, I was sent a 21.5 inch. I got a refund...

I think I will look for something a bit less bumpy with bigger tyres.

I am getting a few back issues, but I think that is down to upping the mileage a bit (no car or m/bike at the moment)...

My knacker has stopped aching now I have put the seat up a bit, so I think I am getting it right slowly.

Had a tough 25 miler yesterday, mainly because I was really badly hung over and very hot!

Is there any advice that might help with needing to cycle 5 days a week at the moment...

I had a go of my Dad's new CUBE last week, which felt OK, but is far too small for me so I didn't get to see how much difference a proper bike really makes, but when I stood up and stomped through the gears it really moved.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by allantheboss

Turns out that despite I ordered a 60cm (24") frame Gryphon, I was sent a 21.5 inch. I got a refund...

I think I will look for something a bit less bumpy with bigger tyres.

No wonder your back hurt, Halfrauds they just can't get it right, a 2.5 inch difference between what was ordered and what was delivered, amazing.

Whats worse is the mechanic didn'tr spot it during assembly either

Just goes to show they don't train their staff properly.

At least you got a refund, alls well I hope