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Hi All,
Sorry to clog the forum with yet another road bike question but I'm excited!
First of all I'm moving to Oxford next week and I'm keen to meet up with like minded people for rides.
Does anybody here live in Oxford and fancy meeting up for rides with the possibility of a nice cold refreshment somewhere after?
I have a hard tail bike plus a shiny new road bike I'm looking forward to taking for a spin so on road or off road I'd be happy with. I've never really challenged myself off road, I'm more used to 20-30 mile bridleways/ field edge loops but want to progress and would be up for more challenging rides.
Again for road cycling, totally new but my fitness level is good so could cope with a few hours riding.
Okay so my road bike arrived today. ( I went for the smaller 54 frame for anybody that followed my last post)
Could anybody give me any advice or links to rules of thumb when setting it up and getting started. I've been out quickly just to try and it felt lovely. Just looking for tips of saddle position and angle of the bars ect.
I don't have shoes or pedals yet but have been reading that the Shimano 105 pedals are good. Is this a good call? I'm just looking for a entry level set up to get me keyed in until I develop my own taste and preferences. Can any body recommend a lower end pair of shoes and bib shorts?
Thanks for reading!
Setting up a road bike;
Start from the bottom. Get your shoes and cleats, set the cleats up in a neutral position so the ball of your foot is over the pedal spindle. Use the float of the pedal system to set the cleat so you can ride comfortably, ie, if you turn your feet out when you ride, set the cleats so the system allows this to happen.
Measure your 'cycling inseam' which is the distance from the floor to the soft bit in between your legs, see the internet for more details.
( I mean details of how to measure, not details of that bit of your body)
Set your saddle height according to the above. Again, see the net.
Set your saddle setback by setting the height then using Knee-Above-Pedal-Spindle or KOPS to get a basic idea.
Then, when the above is done, think about the front end of the bike.
Setting a bike up is not a set of numbers which must be obeyed and never changed; it is a dynamic process which will change as you become more used to riding a road bike, and you should set off with an aim; to get low and flexible and be able to ride powerfully in that position. Then gradually move towards it.
Choose a stem length that you can cope with, choose a stem height that you are comfortable with, but aim to get low and long in the future.
Choose a handlebar that you can actually use, and set your levers in a place that allows you to use the drops and the tops equally.
Then go out and experiment, ride with your aim in mind, don't get stuck in one position until you are sure that you are as efficient as you can be, and don't be afraid to change and experiment.
If anyone suggests a 'professional bike fit', ask them if the fit will last for the next 20 years...
Then go out and experiment, ride with your aim in mind, don't get stuck in one position until you are sure that you are as efficient as you can be, and don't be afraid to change and experiment.
+1 to all the above, good advice.
Just make sure that when you change something, you only change one thing at a time, keep a note of what you're changing and by how much, it'll allow you to fine tune the position better if you know that moving the saddle x amount had y effect rather than moving saddle, bars and levers, then wondering which part of that caused you the back problem (for example).
Get ready to travel... Oxford's not exactly renowned for challenging off road stuff.
For road bike setup: saddle height so that there's a slight bend in the knee at the bottom of the stroke, or so that your leg is straight with heel on the pedal - basically as high as possible without needing to stretch or rock your hips at all. Hoods and tops of bars horizontal. Front axle hidden behind the handlebars when viewed from your normal position. All of these are just rules of thumb, but not a bad place to start.
105 pedals are good, but not noticeably better than cheaper SPD-SL pedals such as the R540 (e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/).
dhb for the bib shorts.
Brilliant advice thank you!
Im heading out this evening if it stays dry so fingers crossed. I think the pedals that you suggested will do me fine and look to be good value for money too, think ill order them along with the dhb bib shorts and a pair of shimano shoes. That should see me right for a while!
A bike fit did cross my mind but I agree with you that because I'm just starting my body needs time to become progressively lower on the bike, until I find my preferred position of power and comfort. Thank you for that.