Back on the bicycle

[funkyrobot]

After over two years of getting chubby, suffering a back injury and becoming a dad, I decided enough was enough and got back on the bicycle last weekend. I did a ride over an hour on Saturday and a 45 minute one on Sunday.

I'm riding a new Raleigh hybrid thing that I bought a few months ago. It seems ok, but I need to address the saddle. It is fixed to the bike via a post that won't allow you to change the angle it sits at. This has proven a bit uncomfortable as bikes I've had in the past have allowed me to lean it forward a bit.

I had planned to go out again before work this morning (5 am). However, I was really tired yesterday and when I woke up this morning, I didn't think it would be good without a rest. So, I'm planning to go out later tonight when my daughter is in bed.

At the moment, I feel tired. But I'm hoping that I'll get back into the swing of it soon and when combined with better eating, hoping I'll start losing the belly.

I also found the Strava app and signed up to that the other day (thanks WinstonWolf). It has some nice little features like the segments with leaderboards.

Anyone else getting back into cycling?

[Fugazi]

Post a picture of your saddle and seat post, should be able to change the angle by loosening off the bolt(s) under the saddle.

[funkyrobot]

Fugazi said:

Post a picture of your saddle and seat post, should be able to change the angle by loosening off the bolt(s) under the saddle.

It's fixed.

[Clinton Baptiste]

New seat post and saddle that can be adjusted. Or adjust the handlebar/stem height?

[funkyrobot]

Seat post and saddle for now.

I've owned bikes in the past and still have a couple of my old ones. Never had issues like this with them. It's like I can't sit on the saddle for more than five minutes or so at a time.

[richardxjr]

Never heard of a fixed saddle I must say.

Anyway, a cheap alu adjustable seatpost of the correct dia + a Madison Flux or Charge Spoon should be had for about £30 new off ebay. The saddle can then be ported over to whatever bike comes next, they are cheap but good.

(Golden rule of saddles, generally, the more uncomfortable it may look, the more comfortable it will be)

[funkyrobot]

Saddle now sorted via a post allowing an angle change.

Oh my, what a difference. Still not the most comfortable thing in the world (that could be me), but it has made it better.

Just an issue with noisy gears and a creak from the frame to sort now. The seat post is clamped in by a quick release collar, rather than a standard screw one. So I'm thinking that the annoying creak I'm hearing when pedalling hard is the seat post in the tube. I've tightened it up more, but I think I need to take it out and give it a good greasing.

Noisy gear issue sounds like the gears are attempting to change when I'm not clicking the leaver. I think this could be a barrel adjustment fix. They struggle to change up sometimes.

Oh yes, I've also noticed the chain is rubbing on the front mech when I'm pedalling hard. I guess this is another barrel adjuster fix? Or could it be limit screw related?

Thanks all.