Calling all mountian bikers and cyclists!

[chapsmum]

I love moutain bikin and want to chat about it anyone for joining me?????

A keen cyclist at work had a bike made to measure (frighteningly expensive) and they asked if she had ever broken her collar bone or any other bones in that area. Adjustments can be made. It all sounds so technical, confusing and complicated that it makes me wonder if I should give up cycling rather than risk doing my back further damage - all I want is to jump on, ride and get off!

Merrygoround me too, I just want to get about on it and be a little bit fitter, not waste time on buses. but whenever I do, after w eek or two if not sooner, I end up with a sore back. Dont want to spend a fortune but maybe I will get measured upthen try to get a good second hand bike.

The bikes they had in this shop went up to £2000 and more

Ah

what size of fram do you have soyabean, if you can tell me the type of bike you have I may be able to help a bit more...

chapsmum thanks for offer am just off for a few days no time to check but appreciate yr offer, will do it when i get back after easter

no probs. chat soon!

Hi again Chapsmum, if you are around.

Back home now and determined to ride bike, go swimming and get fit...Have cycled to work today and yesterday and it was fine, really enjoyed it and no backache but just do feel my bike is not quite right for me. Have put the seat up but I feel a bit hunched. Not sure if my handlebars need to be higher or lower! Thay are currently about same level as seat.
Ignoramus as I am ,not sure what the frame size is. Its a raleigh pioneer 120 hybrid commuting bike. I am 5'8".
ThinkingI may need a new bike, but maybe i can just sort this one out a bit for now.

Still no biking for me :(, we are still deciding what to do about my bike, but will make a decision this weekend and if its dry I WILL go out on my race bike. LAst weekends have just been too busy, but everyone is out biking now and I get that excited feeling in my stomach when I see cyclist whizzing along :)!

Soyamum, hope you get your bike sorted out.

Chapsmum - any advice on my new mountain bike? (if we decide to buy a new one).

hey Chapsmum, IF i do get a new bike what size frame should I be looking at. I'm a bit over 5'3 (1,63m) longer in leg than body. Do you know any good websites to give you tips about getting the right frame size and fit of bike?

hey Chapsmum, IF i do get a new bike what size frame should I be looking at. I'm a bit over 5'3 (1,63m) longer in leg than body. Do you know any good websites to give you tips about getting the right frame size and fit of bike?

hey Chapsmum, IF i do get a new bike what size frame should I be looking at. I'm a bit over 5'3 (1,63m) longer in leg than body. Do you know any good websites to give you tips about getting the right frame size and fit of bike?

Ooops!

Hmmm thats a hard one, I would think you are lookin for a 16-17 inch frame with a smaller than normal head angle and perhaps riser bars.....
Ithink you want to go for a smaller fram and bring your saddel up to fit you legs so that you are not over streching to reach your bars.
Used to know a few websites, hold on....

THat's what I thought, but dh doesnt seem to think I will get a frame small enough! He just likes to make things complicated :o!

Would you buy a bike specifically designed for women?

What do I measure to find out the frame size?

Oh, not sure Soyabean, but I think its the lenth from seatpost to handlebar post.

This is interesting for you, I found it on the Trek website (WSD is what they call the bikes designed for women - Women's specific design')

'While studying bike fit on hundreds of female cyclists, we learned that women exert approximately 25% more force on their lower backs than men when in the same riding position. This is due to the design of the female pelvic structure. Most women are uncomfortable while riding because they are too stretched out on the bike often leading to shoulder pain, lower back pain, and numb fingers.

WSD bikes create a more natural riding position for women by balancing their weight more evenly between the hips and the hands. This is accomplished by bringing the handlebars closer to the seat/saddle. Ultimately this creates a slightly less aggressive riding position for comfort without sacrificing the power efficiency.

Additionally, achieving the right balance between the hands and hips gives female cyclists more control when cornering and handling.'

Thanks Leogaela thats interesting. Strangely though, I feel as if I am too hunched when riding rather than too stretched.

My bike is 20 ins from post to post, and it is a womens bike.

Soyabean , I think I told an untruth! I had a very quick scout around and it seems that different types of bikes are measured differently (mountain bike from centre of crank to top of seat post). I didn't have time to look in more detail as I know I will get hooked and not get any work done this afternoon!

This site looks quite interesting: \link{http://www.whycycle.co.uk/sizing.htm\bike sizing}

Leogaela I have to go too, so mustnt get caught up in this...to be continued maybe!

This looks like a good website, but will look this evening!

Sorry everyone, havent been ignoring you was poorly.
I wouldnt buy a frame for women I prefer the dynamics of a proper frame, I find it more responsive and better balanced for biking.
You measure the height of your frame to see what size it is think that would be rrom the top of the headset to the bottom bracke, but wil check.
I built my bike from scratch and it cost less that buyng a new one, but then I have contaces.

What are you looking from in a bike??
Perhaps I could be of some assistance?

I went to a shop today where they measure you up to help get the right size bike. next week I'm taking my old mountain bike (and road bike) to get them looked at. They sell Scott and Rocky Mountain bikes. I'm looking at a full suspension bike. I need a fairly good one (probably around +2K) as my mountain biking friends all have very good ones so need something which i can bike on with them. I bike real mountains, some technical stuff and some hilly trails around where I live where I plan to pull ds in a trailer. Not looking to race or anything.

I'm impressed that you built your bike from components Chapsmum, I could consider doing that but just don't have the time or energy for it now, I just want to get out there and ride. The guy that screwed my bike up originally built it from components.