Discussion
I did a Wiggle Sportive today (fun course - 44miles ish) and started to get cramp from about 35miles on, is there anything I can do to try and prevent this? I have a 77mile ride in a few weeks, I know I will be riding at a more leisurely pace but don't want it to affect me again!
I was drinking water with Hi5 supplements and got through about 2 litres during the ride (2hrs 46mins) - I also had some Hi5 cola chews (jelly sweats) but didn't get through many.
I ride a 54cm bike and I am around 6ft/6ft1" - when buying I was told I could get away with a 54/56cm bike but looking at other riders I have a lot of seatpost out of the frame in comparison, could the bike sizing/set up cause cramp?
I was drinking water with Hi5 supplements and got through about 2 litres during the ride (2hrs 46mins) - I also had some Hi5 cola chews (jelly sweats) but didn't get through many.
I ride a 54cm bike and I am around 6ft/6ft1" - when buying I was told I could get away with a 54/56cm bike but looking at other riders I have a lot of seatpost out of the frame in comparison, could the bike sizing/set up cause cramp?
I'm 6'2" and have 58cm road bike with a good bit of post showing so that sounds small. However I doubt that was the real issue. I'm currently doing 40 milers with the emphasis of getting up to 60 miles by the time clocks go back and maintaining a 16mph+ average
I was getting cramp in the fronts lowest part of my quads in the first few rides, todays ride managed to get home without any real cramp except for the last few 100m up the 12% hill to the house.
I've started eating a marmite sandwich at 20miles and drinking continually throughout the ride rather than at stop points. Seems to have helped and just getting fitter.
I was getting cramp in the fronts lowest part of my quads in the first few rides, todays ride managed to get home without any real cramp except for the last few 100m up the 12% hill to the house.
I've started eating a marmite sandwich at 20miles and drinking continually throughout the ride rather than at stop points. Seems to have helped and just getting fitter.
swerni said:
Where did you get cramp?
"On the Wiggle Sportive I think he said" 
sorry somebody had to.Could be a combination of riding at harder effort, had you used those sports drink combinations before?
Nuun tablets are good for help preventing cramp http://www.wiggle.co.uk/nuun-active-hydration-tabl...
swerni said:
Put high five zero electrolyte tablets in your water as well.
Make sure you start the event properly hydrated and keep drinking.
I used an electrolyte tablet in one bottle and energy source powder stuff in another.Make sure you start the event properly hydrated and keep drinking.
I assume a cup of tea half hour before the event is not enough hydration, what should I be drinking beforehand?
Rouleur said:
Are you sure your saddle is at the correct height? Might be worth watching a video or two on YT and comparing.
And don't buy another bike from the shop you got your current one from, they obviously don't know what they're doing!
I'll have a look at a few YT videos for set-up advice, I have been thinking recently if my saddle is at the right height, if anything I think it could do with going up slightly (10mm or so) my current set-up is as below;And don't buy another bike from the shop you got your current one from, they obviously don't know what they're doing!
I have been thinking about upgrading parts on the bike, but would this money be better spent on upgrading the complete bike and selling this one?
tjdixon911 said:
I'll have a look at a few YT videos for set-up advice, I have been thinking recently if my saddle is at the right height, if anything I think it could do with going up slightly (10mm or so) my current set-up is as below;
I have been thinking about upgrading parts on the bike, but would this money be better spent on upgrading the complete bike and selling this one?
A bit of a cop out here but it's so hard to say as you may have long/short legs, long/short body etc. A 54cm should be too small for you and it looks like you've tried to make it fit by using a high rise stem, so maybe getting a proper bike fit is the answer rather than changing bike.I have been thinking about upgrading parts on the bike, but would this money be better spent on upgrading the complete bike and selling this one?
Also it looks like your saddle is pointing to the sky. It probably won't cause the cramps but it's unlikely to do you any good in the gentleman's dept!
Rouleur said:
A bit of a cop out here but it's so hard to say as you may have long/short legs, long/short body etc. A 54cm should be too small for you and it looks like you've tried to make it fit by using a high rise stem, so maybe getting a proper bike fit is the answer rather than changing bike.
Also it looks like your saddle is pointing to the sky. It probably won't cause the cramps but it's unlikely to do you any good in the gentleman's dept!
I've had a look at a few of the videos, most of the bits on there were taken into account when buying the bike, I will have another look to check all is still ok.Also it looks like your saddle is pointing to the sky. It probably won't cause the cramps but it's unlikely to do you any good in the gentleman's dept!
I have a 32" inside leg so I think thats fairly proportionate to my height.
Rouleur said:
I'm 6'4" with a 34" leg and ride a 62cm! Something's not right here...
Ok, I may be a 31" leg, I've not actually measured it but I buy 32 Leg jeans/trousers as 30's are too short. On the basis you ride a 62cm frame and we have an inside leg difference of 2-3" (5-7.5cm) would that mean my ideal bike size is around 54.5-57cm. Obviously that is quite simple maths but as you've said before, peoples proportions are different.....
tjdixon911 said:
Ok, I may be a 31" leg, I've not actually measured it but I buy 32 Leg jeans/trousers as 30's are too short.
On the basis you ride a 62cm frame and we have an inside leg difference of 2-3" (5-7.5cm) would that mean my ideal bike size is around 54.5-57cm. Obviously that is quite simple maths but as you've said before, peoples proportions are different.....
I would definately invest in a bike fit, the saddle and bars look quite a way off and this may be hurting your power and comfort.On the basis you ride a 62cm frame and we have an inside leg difference of 2-3" (5-7.5cm) would that mean my ideal bike size is around 54.5-57cm. Obviously that is quite simple maths but as you've said before, peoples proportions are different.....
itsnotarace said:
Your frame is at least 2 sizes too small. Sell it and buy one in correct size. HTH
The man speaks the truth, I'm around your size at 6'1" and have a 34" leg and use a 58 cm frame. *Quick edit to say that the top tube is 58.2 cm* The set-up on your bike looks awkward and as someone else said, looks like you're making your body fit the bike rather than the other way round.Of course, hard to be certain without seeing you on the thing but I can't see it working given your dimensions.
Edited by The Stiglet on Monday 12th September 23:14
OP, your bike is too small for you. If you have a 31"-32" inside leg then you must have a long torso for your height. I am 5'11" and have a 33" inside leg and both my bikes are 56cm bikes. My 14 year son is now riding one of my bikes, he's 5'10" and the 56cm frame is just right for him, he will probably be 6'2" maybe 6'3" and he will eventually need a 58cm or 60cm bike.
If you have money to spend on upgrades, forget that, sell your current bike and go get the opinion of at least two to three different bike shops for the correct size for you and go with the shop that sells you a bike thats fits you properly not the one saying 'yeah it will fit with a few tweeks here & there'. All bikes will need adjusting slightly to suit each rider. Bike fit is very important especially if you're planning on riding longer distances on a regular basis.
If you have money to spend on upgrades, forget that, sell your current bike and go get the opinion of at least two to three different bike shops for the correct size for you and go with the shop that sells you a bike thats fits you properly not the one saying 'yeah it will fit with a few tweeks here & there'. All bikes will need adjusting slightly to suit each rider. Bike fit is very important especially if you're planning on riding longer distances on a regular basis.
Thanks for the replies/advice.
With regards to the bike fit, I am going to have a look around at a few new bikes and get sized up, if they start offering 54cm I should perhaps check my tape measure hasn't shrunk giving me incorrect height / inside legs then perhaps stick with my bike and book a fitting session - if they start telling me I should be on a 56/58cm bike (which is likely by the sounds of it) then a new bike will be on the cards! - At least now is a good time to look with all the 2011 bikes being reduced.....
With regards to the bike fit, I am going to have a look around at a few new bikes and get sized up, if they start offering 54cm I should perhaps check my tape measure hasn't shrunk giving me incorrect height / inside legs then perhaps stick with my bike and book a fitting session - if they start telling me I should be on a 56/58cm bike (which is likely by the sounds of it) then a new bike will be on the cards! - At least now is a good time to look with all the 2011 bikes being reduced.....
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