Why the heck can't I get used to Road biking?

[tnitsuj]

I have been heavily road biking the last few months since I screwed up my knee and biking is the recommended activty according to my orthopedic surgeon. Doing 200+ miles a week for three months straight after years of mountain biking, but I can't seem to get adjusted to it. My ass, nads, and back always hurt after a ride and stay sore for days. I have tried different saddles, different shorts, every stretch I can think of an it just doesn't seem to help. Maybe I am just not cut out to be a roadie.

 

[djheater]

maybe too much time in one position on the road, whereas mountain-biking you're always shifitng up, down etc...

 

[guapo337]

you need the right saddle/shorts combo..

do you get saddle sores?

eww...

EDIT: PICS?!

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: guapo337
you need the right saddle/shorts combo..

do you get saddle sores?

eww...

EDIT: PICS?!

I don't get saddle sores and I have tried about 3 different saddles.

 

[Brutuskend]

Is your bike PROPERLY set up to fit you?

Some tips.

Saddle height: Sit on the saddle with the crank at the bottom of the stroke. Put your heel on the pedal. You leg should be STRAIGHT, when you move your foot into the proper position (the ball of your foot over the pedal spindle) you will have a slight bend in your knee.

Saddle Position: While sitting on the saddle in your riding position (Hands in the drops of your bars, slight bend in your knee and ball of your foot over the pedal spindle) you should be able to hang a plumb bob from the bony knob just below your knee cap and the plumb bob should hang over the pedal spindle. If it doesn't slide your seat forward or backward on the seat rails until it does.

Bar Height: Your bars should be about one inch below the nose of your saddle

Stem length: Once again while in your ridding position (see above definition) look down at your front axle. If you can see it in front of your handle bars your stem is too short, if you can see it behind the bars, it's too long. Your bars should just hide your front hub from view.

Bar width: Your handle bars should be shoulder width when you are in your drops.


Having a bike properly set-up to fit your body size and shape can make ALL the difference in how well you ride and how much or little you hurt after a ride!

EDIT: You want your weight distributed 50% on your butt and 50% on your hands. Too much on your butt and your butt will hurt. Too much on your hands and they will hurt or go numb.

 

[Klaudeman]

tnitsuj thanks for this thread!

I am in the process of getting a road bike and this info will come in very handy.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Is your bike PROPERLY set up to fit you?

Some tips.

Saddle height: Sit on the saddle with the crank at the bottom of the stroke. Put your heel on the pedal. You leg should be STRAIGHT, when you move your foot into the proper position (the ball of your foot over the pedal spindle) you will have a slight bend in your knee.

Saddle Position: While sitting on the saddle in your riding position (Hands in the drops of your bars, slight bend in your knee and ball of your foot over the pedal spindle) you should be able to hang a plumb bob from the bony knob just below your knee cap and the plumb bob should hang over the pedal spindle. If it doesn't slide your seat forward or backward on the seat rails until it does.

Bar Height: Your bars should be about one inch below the nose of your saddle

Stem length: Once again while in your ridding position (see above definition) look down at your front axle. If you can see it in front of your handle bars your stem is too short, if you can see it behind the bars, it's too long. Your bars should just hide your front hub from view.

Bar width: Your handle bars should be shoulder width when you are in your drops.


Having a bike properly set-up to fit your body size and shape can make ALL the difference in how well you ride and how much or little you hurt after a ride!

EDIT: You want your weight distributed 50% on your butt and 50% on your hands. Too much on your butt and your butt will hurt. Too much on your hands and they will hurt or go numb.

Is this a joke?

 

[Brutuskend]

Uhhh no.

I do know a few OTHER things besides JOKES you know!

 

[dman]

Are you using a road bike or a MTB to ride on the road? Try using one or the other... the seating position may be more comfortable. Or perhaps look into a recumbant (sic?).

 

[Ornery]

Should you buy a saddle with springs?

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Uhhh no.

I do know a few OTHER things besides JOKES you know!

I think you've become like the boy who cried wolf

 

[duke]

"You want your weight distributed 50% on your butt and 50% on your hands."

I don't see how this is possible without cutting off both my legs.

 

[Stark]

get this

 

[Brutuskend]

On another note. I personally prefer a saddle that has a lot of flex in the shell rather than one with a lot of padding. I also noticed that I could ride my MTB for awhile and feel OK, then switch to my road bike and feel some pain, even though the saddles were very similar. I switched to the SAME saddle on both bikes, and now I feel very little difference between one bike and the other. It will take awhile for your butt to adapt to ANY saddle though, no matter WHAT it's shape!

Another "tip" I failed to mention. You also want the nose of your saddle at the same height as the back. Parallel to the ground.