Sandy
04-23-2006, 08:07 PM
Smiley and I were planning to do an aprroximate 40 mile moderately hilly ride. We were doing an easy spin before going on the actual ride. It started raining so we had to temporarily stop at his house until the rain let up. I was having a tremendous amount of trouble trying to keep the bike tracking straight. In fact, I couldn't. It was amazingly disconcerting and stressful. Smiley could see my arms shaking as I was trying to keep my bike in a reasonably straight line.
We tried different wheels and tires, different psi, tightening the head set (which seemed fine) etc. Both he and I took my bike for multiple road tests. The problem actually seemed like it was getting worse. Smiley determined the bike was just fine for him.
Another friend came over to Smiley's when the sun came out, and Smiley, the friend and I wanted to ride together. But I said no because of how poorly the bike was riding. But Smiley talked me into trying to ride some. Before we actually started, I had decided to make an appointment with a neurologist and told Smiley that I might have to stop riding (for good) since the problem was so persistent and meaningful. I was very discouraged.
Both Smiley and our friend watched me ride and the problem was very apparent to both of them. We went about a mile or so to a point in which we normally stop, and it was suggested that we move my saddle forward. Smiley looked at the saddle and noted that it had slid all the way back on the rails (which it has done in the past). The saddle was moved forward approximately 1.25-1.5 cm.
So then we started out again and there was an absolutely amazing transformation in the bike. It became my old Ottrott again, I was exceedingly happy and geninely appreciated the help given by Smiley and our friend.
Our conclusion was that the problem was that there was not enough weight over the front wheel and that is what made such a subsantial difference. With the saddle moved forward, I could feel more weight pushing down on the handlebar and front wheel.
So a single change of 1.25-1.5 cm stopped me from considering the possibility of giving up cycling and of seeing a neurologist.
So is a proper fit very important? It most DEFINETLY is!!!!!
VERY THANKFUL to Smiley and Paul H.
Sandy
We tried different wheels and tires, different psi, tightening the head set (which seemed fine) etc. Both he and I took my bike for multiple road tests. The problem actually seemed like it was getting worse. Smiley determined the bike was just fine for him.
Another friend came over to Smiley's when the sun came out, and Smiley, the friend and I wanted to ride together. But I said no because of how poorly the bike was riding. But Smiley talked me into trying to ride some. Before we actually started, I had decided to make an appointment with a neurologist and told Smiley that I might have to stop riding (for good) since the problem was so persistent and meaningful. I was very discouraged.
Both Smiley and our friend watched me ride and the problem was very apparent to both of them. We went about a mile or so to a point in which we normally stop, and it was suggested that we move my saddle forward. Smiley looked at the saddle and noted that it had slid all the way back on the rails (which it has done in the past). The saddle was moved forward approximately 1.25-1.5 cm.
So then we started out again and there was an absolutely amazing transformation in the bike. It became my old Ottrott again, I was exceedingly happy and geninely appreciated the help given by Smiley and our friend.
Our conclusion was that the problem was that there was not enough weight over the front wheel and that is what made such a subsantial difference. With the saddle moved forward, I could feel more weight pushing down on the handlebar and front wheel.
So a single change of 1.25-1.5 cm stopped me from considering the possibility of giving up cycling and of seeing a neurologist.
So is a proper fit very important? It most DEFINETLY is!!!!!
VERY THANKFUL to Smiley and Paul H.
Sandy