Any bike experts out there?

[BoldAsLove]

I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

 

[BoldAsLove]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

but its not.....the frame says it fits 5''10 - 6''4...and I'm 6' and a half....maybe the seat can go a little lower.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

but its not.....the frame says it fits 5''10 - 6''4...and I'm 6' and a half....maybe the seat can go a little lower.

Maybe...but how are you hurting your crotch when you brake?

 

[ISAslot]

if there is not 2 inches between your crotch and the bar when you're standing over it, then your frame is too big.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

but its not.....the frame says it fits 5''10 - 6''4...and I'm 6' and a half....maybe the seat can go a little lower.

When you're at the bottom of your stroke, your leg should be almost-but not quite-fully extended, as far down as you can go without locking your knee. That's how you know your seat's at the right height.

 

[msparish]

As mentioned above...when you are standing, you should have 2 inches between your crotch and the frame when you are standing. Your leg should extend nearly all the way when pedaling.

As for getting on the bike, do you try directly get on the seat when getting on the bike? If so, you shoud: get on a pedal, put your leg over the frame and onto the other pedal, then sit down on the seat. Same thing when you get off...don't step to the ground before you swing your leg over, use the pedals instead.

However, based on your description, it sounds like the frame of your bike is too big.

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

but its not.....the frame says it fits 5''10 - 6''4...and I'm 6' and a half....maybe the seat can go a little lower.

When you're at the bottom of your stroke, your leg should be almost-but not quite-fully extended, as far down as you can go without locking your knee. That's how you know your seat's at the right height.

BINGO.

Another way to set it right is to put just your heal on the pedal when you're sitting on the seat and your leg should be straight, then when you are in your normal riding position (the ball of your foot over the middle of the pedal spindle) your leg will have a slight bend.

Make sure the saddle is parallel to the ground. The nose and the rear level.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
I just got a new bike today after picking up bike riding....I have a problem though...I have quite a hard time straddling the bike..It is hard for me to swing my leg over for some reason..am i doing something wrong? Also when I break, how do I get off without hurting my crotch? I have breaked quite a few times and I slowly fall off but it hurts my crotch to hell. Ughhhhh

It sounds like your bike is too big for you lol.

but its not.....the frame says it fits 5''10 - 6''4...and I'm 6' and a half....maybe the seat can go a little lower.

Lower your seatpost.

Stand right next to your bike

Your seatpost or saddle should come up to the top of your hip.

Another good way to tell is to get on your bike and position the cranks to 3 oclock and 9 oclock, then grab your drops (the lower part of your handlebar). Your knee should be horizontal to your shoulder.

 

[DaShen]

http://www.parktool.com/repair/bikemap.asp

This may help to understand the lingo

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

Sheldon Brown is an old time well respected rider.

 

[DaShen]

Here is road positioning
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=72

Here is MTB positioning
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=73