First ride of my Boardman Road Team carbon
Discussion
Finally got have a ride out this morning, now I've 'cough' sorted the pedals (see other thread)and observations as follows:
Compared to Team Hybrid that I have been riding for last two years (since getting back on a bike after a 20 year gap since being a 'yoof'), the road bike murdered my usual route at what felt like a tick-over..!
However it seems bit of a stretch, and front part of saddle seemed like on a longer ride it would probably wear away the old fella! Could be I need to get used to different riding style on a road-bike however it has as standard a 130mm stem which a pal who is more into bikes than me said was unusually long. Thought are to change the stem and also maybe crank the saddle forwards so that it is flatter at the front, would this sound logical? At the bottom of the turn my legs are pretty much completely straight and also my arms when cruising are pretty much completely straight. Should there be a bit of bend left in the arms and legs rather than them being at their extremity?
Also seemed to work my calves much more that I am used to on the hybrid - probably the effect of legs 'pulling up' with the clips as opposed to just pushing down on my hybrid which has standard pedals?
Sorry for the novice questions..!
Cheers,
240
Compared to Team Hybrid that I have been riding for last two years (since getting back on a bike after a 20 year gap since being a 'yoof'), the road bike murdered my usual route at what felt like a tick-over..!
However it seems bit of a stretch, and front part of saddle seemed like on a longer ride it would probably wear away the old fella! Could be I need to get used to different riding style on a road-bike however it has as standard a 130mm stem which a pal who is more into bikes than me said was unusually long. Thought are to change the stem and also maybe crank the saddle forwards so that it is flatter at the front, would this sound logical? At the bottom of the turn my legs are pretty much completely straight and also my arms when cruising are pretty much completely straight. Should there be a bit of bend left in the arms and legs rather than them being at their extremity?
Also seemed to work my calves much more that I am used to on the hybrid - probably the effect of legs 'pulling up' with the clips as opposed to just pushing down on my hybrid which has standard pedals?
Sorry for the novice questions..!
Cheers,
240
Sounds like your seat is too high and the saddle might be a bit too far rearwards. Lowering it by 1 cm first will probably stop it numbing your crotch as much.
If you are unhappy with your position then just tinker around making small alterations until you feel comfortable. I would keep the saddle level though.
Riding a road bike after a hybrid will probably leave you with sore hands or wrists for a while until you get used to the different position anyway. It's often more comfortable to ride holding the bars where the brakes are instead of lower down by the bottom of the handlebars.
If you are unhappy with your position then just tinker around making small alterations until you feel comfortable. I would keep the saddle level though.
Riding a road bike after a hybrid will probably leave you with sore hands or wrists for a while until you get used to the different position anyway. It's often more comfortable to ride holding the bars where the brakes are instead of lower down by the bottom of the handlebars.
El Stovey has this one right.
Assuming the bike is the right size, you will need to tweak saddle height, fore/aft positioning and bar height / stem length to get the fit just right.
I'm really not a fan of the Boardman saddles. I've got a pile of them, both heavy and uncomfortable (although each to their own) and I've switched all mine out for Fiziks.
Getting it close is "good enough" and you can then tweak it to perfection. I'd STRONGLY recommend getting a bike-fit, its not the be-all and end all but they should get you close.
My fitter, while excellent according to everyone else (and me) still insists my saddle should be lower - I tried it, doesn't work for me.
If you're new to riding in cleats, then yes it will suddenly put a lot of strain on your thighs, mine were agony after a long ride for a couple of months after I made the change but soon adjusted.
You've now spotted why I try and talk anyone buying a new bike out of a hybrid - a Road or a CX bike just murders them at tickover let alone a sprint - there are very few people who will ever go back.
Assuming the bike is the right size, you will need to tweak saddle height, fore/aft positioning and bar height / stem length to get the fit just right.
I'm really not a fan of the Boardman saddles. I've got a pile of them, both heavy and uncomfortable (although each to their own) and I've switched all mine out for Fiziks.
Getting it close is "good enough" and you can then tweak it to perfection. I'd STRONGLY recommend getting a bike-fit, its not the be-all and end all but they should get you close.
My fitter, while excellent according to everyone else (and me) still insists my saddle should be lower - I tried it, doesn't work for me.
If you're new to riding in cleats, then yes it will suddenly put a lot of strain on your thighs, mine were agony after a long ride for a couple of months after I made the change but soon adjusted.
You've now spotted why I try and talk anyone buying a new bike out of a hybrid - a Road or a CX bike just murders them at tickover let alone a sprint - there are very few people who will ever go back.
I'd agree with the comments above, would have thought the shop you got it from would have got you a better fit? But if it was Halfords that may not have happened.
I had a bike fit locally, cost me £120 and then another £180 in proper shoes and changed handlebars. I'd been riding around in shoes two sizes too big to wear extra socks for warmth, but if you can't even get your feet on the pedals properly, the whole fit thing is a waste of time and money! Yes it is expensive, but since the fit all the niggly aches and pains have gone, and the duration of a ride is now determined by how physically hard it has been, not how much my body hurts.
I had a bike fit locally, cost me £120 and then another £180 in proper shoes and changed handlebars. I'd been riding around in shoes two sizes too big to wear extra socks for warmth, but if you can't even get your feet on the pedals properly, the whole fit thing is a waste of time and money! Yes it is expensive, but since the fit all the niggly aches and pains have gone, and the duration of a ride is now determined by how physically hard it has been, not how much my body hurts.
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