| |
Main
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:16:19
From: Earl Lewis
Subject: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
I bought my first bike since the 80s recently, a Giant Boulder SE 23"
frame mountain bike. I got it with smooth tires on it. In the 80s I
had a Schwin road bike, but with raised handlebars and a large seat.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11391
I'm now 71. I'm 6'2", about 195lb (bout 10lbs overweight probably).
I'm finding the Giant saddle is not very kind to my rear end. After
about 20 miles it's NO fun to ride. I'm using the bike only on roads
and paved bike paths.
Does the mountain bike 'gentle' forward-lean position mean you're
putting more weight on your ass? I've never tried to ride with drop
handlebars, and hesitate to try to learn at my creaky age. But I see
you guys go floating by me and get the itch for something that rolls
easier.
Does anyone have any ideas about getting more seat comfort with my
present set-up? Opinions about whether I should venture into a real
road bike?
Remove no_spam to reply email
|
|
| |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 15:11:39
From: Buck
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
landotter wrote:
> Just like to keep one of each in the fleet, a bike with nothing but the
> bare essentials, and one with fenders, rack, bell, etc. The Lotus and
> the Chrysler.
All of my bikes that are rideable have sprouted fenders. I want to base
my daily choice of ride on how I feel, not whether I will get caught in
the rain. When I lived in more urban areas, one of my peeves was
getting a stripe from passing through urban lawn-watering runoff. It
was then that my daily commuter sprouted fenders.
-Buck
|
| |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 13:00:05
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Dane Buson wrote:
> Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> wrote:
> > On 3 Sep 2006 08:03:52 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I don't think all bikes need fenders, my go fast ride is currently
> >>nekkid
> >
> > I see your point - it's a question of taste, after all - but I'm
> > looking for a new "go fast" bike, which I also want to use through the
> > winter. The "nekkid" ones seem to be the fashion, and may look cuter,
> > but they're definitely not practical for an all-weather cyclist.
>
> My commuter is a fairly "go fast bike" and I never bother to take my
> fenders off. I managed 45 mph coming down Hurricane ridge this weekend,
> which is actually better than I've done previously. Considering it's
> generally between 5-8% grade, that's not bad.
>
> To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
> course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
>
> My fixie doesn't have fenders, but you can bet if I started commuting on
> it regularly, it would get them. I'm always amused at the beginning of
> the year to see the fair-weather commuters come out. They're usually
> riding terribly impractical racing road bikes, dressed in their full
> mating splendor. With a nice broad watery/muddy stripe up their
> fundament.
>
Nummy! Yeah, I know the ones. Same folks that get inspired during those
two weeks of racing in france, dust off the bike, and putter around the
bike paths advertising European cellular service on their backsides.
I just took the fenders off of my single speed as I'd cracked the rear
one, and it doesn't get ridden in rain, my utility bike does. Might put
some on if I catch a sale.
My replacement utility bike, a Redline 925 will arrive in a few days,
and it has them, yes indeedy.
Just like to keep one of each in the fleet, a bike with nothing but the
bare essentials, and one with fenders, rack, bell, etc. The Lotus and
the Chrysler.
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 11:37:33
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Earl Lewis wrote:
> On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:09:57 GMT, Bill Baka <bbaka@syix.com> wrote:
> >
> >snip
> >
> >I think experimenting is the best way to find what works.
> >Best of luck.
> >Bill Baka
>
> Thanks for the tips guys. As to your above, cause I'm too damn cheap.
> SS checks get smaller and smaller with inflation. I'm overjoyed I got
> some intelligent, concerned response. I half way thought I might get
> some flames.
>
> I'm glad to see that Sequoia goes for less than $1000. I suppose I'm
> going to have to scratch this itch sooner or later, now that I've
> started thinking about it.
>
Scratch it til it bleeds. Seriously, cycling is fantastic for seniors
as it's very kind to the joints.
If you're on a budget and know sorta what you want, craigslist.org can
be a wonderful place to find a good deal on a bike. If you're not so
sure, then a bike shop consultation is best. Don't be scared to ask if
they have any 2005's that are appropriate for you that are discounted.
Also don't let them sell you into a hyper hard core racing bike that
looks delicious in the shop, but is irritating in real life use. The
Sequoia's great, but I'm sure folks will recommend others. I also like
the Novara Randonee, it's a touring bike, so you can have it all ways:
drop bars, fast tires, and even a rack and fenders if you want the full
treatment.
Either way, it's still cheaper than trying to make a Harley look like a
fringed floorlamp, which is another hobby of the SS set.
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 08:03:52
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Andrew Price wrote:
> On 2 Sep 2006 17:01:31 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >As for getting a hunched over road bike, that's just nonsense. Now
> >getting a non-hunched bike with drop bars, where the saddle is evenish
> >with the bars--that's a good idea. I'm seeing more bikes like this on
> >the road. A good example would be the Specialized Sequoia:
> >http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13175 Check out that
> >comfy bar position.
>
> Why is something which is supposed to be a road bike being sold
> without mudguards?
AFAIK, the Sequoia bikes have room and provisions for fender mounting,
which a lot of road bikes don't.
I don't think all bikes need fenders, my go fast ride is currently
nekkid, but I wouldn't think about having a city bike without them.
If you call them "mudguards" then you likely need them on everything
including the child stroller and even the pets for good measure.
|
| | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 20:45:31
From: Andrew Price
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
On 3 Sep 2006 08:03:52 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com > wrote:
[---]
>I don't think all bikes need fenders, my go fast ride is currently
>nekkid
I see your point - it's a question of taste, after all - but I'm
looking for a new "go fast" bike, which I also want to use through the
winter. The "nekkid" ones seem to be the fashion, and may look cuter,
but they're definitely not practical for an all-weather cyclist.
|
| | | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 12:26:00
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr > wrote:
> On 3 Sep 2006 08:03:52 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>I don't think all bikes need fenders, my go fast ride is currently
>>nekkid
>
> I see your point - it's a question of taste, after all - but I'm
> looking for a new "go fast" bike, which I also want to use through the
> winter. The "nekkid" ones seem to be the fashion, and may look cuter,
> but they're definitely not practical for an all-weather cyclist.
My commuter is a fairly "go fast bike" and I never bother to take my
fenders off. I managed 45 mph coming down Hurricane ridge this weekend,
which is actually better than I've done previously. Considering it's
generally between 5-8% grade, that's not bad.
To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
My fixie doesn't have fenders, but you can bet if I started commuting on
it regularly, it would get them. I'm always amused at the beginning of
the year to see the fair-weather commuters come out. They're usually
riding terribly impractical racing road bikes, dressed in their full
mating splendor. With a nice broad watery/muddy stripe up their
fundament.
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
I can feel for her because, although I have never been an Alaskan prostitute
dancing on the bar in a spangled dress, I still get very bored with washing
and ironing and dishwashing and cooking day after relentless day.
-- Betty MacDonald
|
| | | | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 20:44:11
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Dane Buson wrote:
> Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> wrote:
>> On 3 Sep 2006 08:03:52 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I don't think all bikes need fenders, my go fast ride is currently
>>> nekkid
>> I see your point - it's a question of taste, after all - but I'm
>> looking for a new "go fast" bike, which I also want to use through the
>> winter. The "nekkid" ones seem to be the fashion, and may look cuter,
>> but they're definitely not practical for an all-weather cyclist.
>
> My commuter is a fairly "go fast bike" and I never bother to take my
> fenders off. I managed 45 mph coming down Hurricane ridge this weekend,
> which is actually better than I've done previously. Considering it's
> generally between 5-8% grade, that's not bad.
>
> To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
> course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
A half mile at 12% should be good for about 55 if you pedal over the top
at about 25 and then just got down and aero for a nice faaaast coast. If
it was straight and no corners to navigate that would be perfect.
Bill Baka
>
> My fixie doesn't have fenders, but you can bet if I started commuting on
> it regularly, it would get them. I'm always amused at the beginning of
> the year to see the fair-weather commuters come out. They're usually
> riding terribly impractical racing road bikes, dressed in their full
> mating splendor. With a nice broad watery/muddy stripe up their
> fundament.
>
|
| | | | | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 21:15:21
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
"Bill Baka" <bbaka@syix.com > wrote in message
news:vqGLg.15930$%j7.11085@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
> Dane Buson wrote:
>> To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
>> course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
>
> A half mile at 12% should be good for about 55 if you pedal over the top
> at about 25 and then just got down and aero for a nice faaaast coast. If
> it was straight and no corners to navigate that would be perfect.
Kamber is where I have set all my personal best speed records. I posted
about the first time I did it over 50 (see here: http://tinyurl.com/hxg4m).
I think the top I ever did there was 52 mph. The bike computer stops doing
tenths of a mile over 50.
Before it gets to the steep section it has a less steep section, where you
have to build up a good head of steam. You just have to hope that the light
stays green just before the drop begins. Just where it's the steepest is
where there's a bit of curve. If you're really unlucky, some stupid motorist
will think you're going 5 mph, not ten times that speed, and come out into
the street. Then you'd better hit the brakes hard. One time I got a blow-out
coming down that hill, and that wasn't too much fun, either.
As a result, I also don't take it so fast anymore. I started scaring myself
too much. Just going over 40 on the way to work is enough of an adrenaline
rush for me these days. And I don't take it at all once it starts getting
icy.
--
Warm Regards,
Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 15:28:03
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Claire Petersky <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> "Bill Baka" <bbaka@syix.com> wrote in message
> news:vqGLg.15930$%j7.11085@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
>> Dane Buson wrote:
>
>>> To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
>>> course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
>>
>> A half mile at 12% should be good for about 55 if you pedal over the top
>> at about 25 and then just got down and aero for a nice faaaast coast. If
>> it was straight and no corners to navigate that would be perfect.
53 mph is the best I've managed on it. As Claire mentions below, it's
not really ideal for always hitting a nice high speed reliably.
> Kamber is where I have set all my personal best speed records. I posted
> about the first time I did it over 50 (see here: http://tinyurl.com/hxg4m).
> I think the top I ever did there was 52 mph. The bike computer stops doing
> tenths of a mile over 50.
> Before it gets to the steep section it has a less steep section, where you
> have to build up a good head of steam. You just have to hope that the light
> stays green just before the drop begins. Just where it's the steepest is
> where there's a bit of curve. If you're really unlucky, some stupid motorist
> will think you're going 5 mph, not ten times that speed, and come out into
> the street. Then you'd better hit the brakes hard. One time I got a blow-out
> coming down that hill, and that wasn't too much fun, either.
My problem is usually being stuck behind cars that insist on doing some
semblance of the speed limit. :-)
> As a result, I also don't take it so fast anymore. I started scaring myself
> too much. Just going over 40 on the way to work is enough of an adrenaline
> rush for me these days. And I don't take it at all once it starts getting
> icy.
I don't do it too often, since it's not really on my direct route. I
usually do it when I'm stopping at Crossroads to pick up or drop off
something. Then it's on my way back.
Didn't you have to ford it a couple years ago?
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other
invention in human history, with the possible exception of
handguns and tequila." - Mitch Radcliffe
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 07 Sep 2006 05:44:45
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Dane Buson wrote:
> Claire Petersky <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>> "Bill Baka" <bbaka@syix.com> wrote in message
>> news:vqGLg.15930$%j7.11085@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
>>> Dane Buson wrote:
>>>> To go *really* fast, one needs to try Kamber road near my work. Of
>>>> course that's only a half mile or so of 12% instead of 17 miles of 6%.
>>> A half mile at 12% should be good for about 55 if you pedal over the top
>>> at about 25 and then just got down and aero for a nice faaaast coast. If
>>> it was straight and no corners to navigate that would be perfect.
>
> 53 mph is the best I've managed on it. As Claire mentions below, it's
> not really ideal for always hitting a nice high speed reliably.
>
>> Kamber is where I have set all my personal best speed records. I posted
>> about the first time I did it over 50 (see here: http://tinyurl.com/hxg4m).
>> I think the top I ever did there was 52 mph. The bike computer stops doing
>> tenths of a mile over 50.
>
>> Before it gets to the steep section it has a less steep section, where you
>> have to build up a good head of steam. You just have to hope that the light
>> stays green just before the drop begins. Just where it's the steepest is
>> where there's a bit of curve. If you're really unlucky, some stupid motorist
>> will think you're going 5 mph, not ten times that speed, and come out into
>> the street. Then you'd better hit the brakes hard. One time I got a blow-out
>> coming down that hill, and that wasn't too much fun, either.
>
> My problem is usually being stuck behind cars that insist on doing some
> semblance of the speed limit. :-)
>
>> As a result, I also don't take it so fast anymore. I started scaring myself
>> too much. Just going over 40 on the way to work is enough of an adrenaline
>> rush for me these days. And I don't take it at all once it starts getting
>> icy.
>
> I don't do it too often, since it's not really on my direct route. I
> usually do it when I'm stopping at Crossroads to pick up or drop off
> something. Then it's on my way back.
>
> Didn't you have to ford it a couple years ago?
>
I have an advantage over you 2 speedsters. I live in the country and the
roads are back country main routes that are maintained but very little
traffic. I have gone faster, but my best recorded was 50.2 MPH since I
have the extra digit I think it (not me) would go to 99.9 MPH. There is
this urge I have to go waaay up and see if I could break 65 and actually
be going fast enough to break the car speed limit for the freeways.
Extra thick thorn proof tubes and 26" x 1.75" street slicks at 55 PSI.
A somewhat heavy MTB should be an advantage for speed downhill, even if
I have to work harder to get up there.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 00:09:57
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Earl Lewis wrote:
> I bought my first bike since the 80s recently, a Giant Boulder SE 23"
> frame mountain bike. I got it with smooth tires on it. In the 80s I
> had a Schwin road bike, but with raised handlebars and a large seat.
> http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11391
>
>
> I'm now 71. I'm 6'2", about 195lb (bout 10lbs overweight probably).
> I'm finding the Giant saddle is not very kind to my rear end. After
> about 20 miles it's NO fun to ride. I'm using the bike only on roads
> and paved bike paths.
>
> Does the mountain bike 'gentle' forward-lean position mean you're
> putting more weight on your ass? I've never tried to ride with drop
> handlebars, and hesitate to try to learn at my creaky age. But I see
> you guys go floating by me and get the itch for something that rolls
> easier.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas about getting more seat comfort with my
> present set-up? Opinions about whether I should venture into a real
> road bike?
> Remove no_spam to reply email
For a start, have you tried positioning the seat angle forward or back
to fit you best? Next, you could just go to a bike shop, heck, even a
Wal-t, and look for another seat. I have about a dozen seats
collected from bikes that were worn out or trashed by adults with to
many DUI's. Out of this odd array of seats I have found that some were
good for short rides but terrible for long rides, and of course, just
the opposite with others. I just put a gel pad cover on my seat and to
my surprise I really could not tell the difference. Of course I am only
a kid at 57 so I have different needs. Also I am only 5'7" so the
average bike usually works for me.
I think experimenting is the best way to find what works.
Best of luck.
Bill Baka
|
| | |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 12:07:43
From: Earl Lewis
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:09:57 GMT, Bill Baka <bbaka@syix.com > wrote:
>
>snip
>
>I think experimenting is the best way to find what works.
>Best of luck.
>Bill Baka
Thanks for the tips guys. As to your above, cause I'm too damn cheap.
SS checks get smaller and smaller with inflation. I'm overjoyed I got
some intelligent, concerned response. I half way thought I might get
some flames.
I'm glad to see that Sequoia goes for less than $1000. I suppose I'm
going to have to scratch this itch sooner or later, now that I've
started thinking about it.
Remove no_spam to reply email
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 17:01:31
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
Earl Lewis wrote:
> I bought my first bike since the 80s recently, a Giant Boulder SE 23"
> frame mountain bike. I got it with smooth tires on it. In the 80s I
> had a Schwin road bike, but with raised handlebars and a large seat.
> http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11391
>
>
> I'm now 71. I'm 6'2", about 195lb (bout 10lbs overweight probably).
> I'm finding the Giant saddle is not very kind to my rear end. After
> about 20 miles it's NO fun to ride. I'm using the bike only on roads
> and paved bike paths.
>
> Does the mountain bike 'gentle' forward-lean position mean you're
> putting more weight on your ass? I've never tried to ride with drop
> handlebars, and hesitate to try to learn at my creaky age. But I see
> you guys go floating by me and get the itch for something that rolls
> easier.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas about getting more seat comfort with my
> present set-up? Opinions about whether I should venture into a real
> road bike?
Nothing wrong with tootlin' around on a mtb with street tires. Stock
saddles are often just hideous, though. If adjusting it to perfect
level and the appropriate height doesn't help, and it's not an issue of
toughening up your butt, then a new saddle might be the trick. Plenty
of threads to search for about which saddle. Wider and softer is not
better for anything over a couple miles. The saddle that's got the best
combination of comfort and price, and which fits a vast majority of
butts are the WTB Speed V series. Under $50 and worth a shot. Otherwise
search the group and you'll find tons of suggestions.
As for getting a hunched over road bike, that's just nonsense. Now
getting a non-hunched bike with drop bars, where the saddle is evenish
with the bars--that's a good idea. I'm seeing more bikes like this on
the road. A good example would be the Specialized Sequoia:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13175 Check out that
comfy bar position.
If you're looking at multiple hand positions on the existing Giant, a
$30 "trekking" handlebar is a fantastic and affordable solution:
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?id=2109
|
| | |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 09:38:18
From: Andrew Price
Subject: Re: Seat discomfort on mountain bike
|
On 2 Sep 2006 17:01:31 -0700, "landotter" <landotter@gmail.com > wrote:
>As for getting a hunched over road bike, that's just nonsense. Now
>getting a non-hunched bike with drop bars, where the saddle is evenish
>with the bars--that's a good idea. I'm seeing more bikes like this on
>the road. A good example would be the Specialized Sequoia:
>http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13175 Check out that
>comfy bar position.
Why is something which is supposed to be a road bike being sold
without mudguards?
|
|
