Riding Position

[Malicious Afterthought]

Background:

MrsA has never really ridden a bike, so we got her a GT.

When MrsA rides her bike, her wrists end up lower than the bars. I've altered the the brake levers so they are point at the correct(ish) angle, but feel I should move the saddle forward as well.

I can't work out what the problem is, but I think her weight should be more up on forwards, so the weight is transmitted through the wrists to the bars.


Ideas?

 

[retroklein]

wrists lower than the bars??? take a picture

 

[xerxes]

Is it a women specific frame?

Women generally have longer legs in relation to their upper body, so womens bicycle frames have a shorter top tube length.

 

[perry]

I drop my wrists on a steady climb where I don't intend to use upper body strength . Try a longer/lower reach .

 

[Malicious Afterthought]

I drop my wrists on a steady climb where I don't intend to use upper body strength . Try a longer/lower reach .

moving the levers helped the problem, and dropping the saddle back about an inch or so seemed to also help.

Looks a whole lot better now.

Phew.

Next week, we're going to do "standing on the pedals".

 

[Tazio]

Next week, we're going to do "standing on the pedals".

Wait until you reach the really tricky bit, persuading her that if you get out the seat and swing the frame from side to side it makes a hard climb easier.

Certain co-ordination issues seem to exist on this front.

 

[RockiMtn]

Next week, we're going to do "standing on the pedals".

Wait until you reach the really tricky bit, persuading her that if you get out the seat and swing the frame from side to side it makes a hard climb easier.

Certain co-ordination issues seem to exist on this front.

i've gotten the missus to stand on the pedals, and someone pedal out of seat. but i don't think i'll ever manage to get her to sway it left and right.

 

[bigdawg]

a couple of quick tips for correct riding position:

sit on the bike have the cranks totally horizontal and your knee should be directly above the pedal spindle - obviously bits of string with weights on are good...

sit on the bike and look at where the handlebars meet the stem that joint as your riding should obscure the front hub (unless of course its a dh style bike)

and as youve said the brake and gear levers shoudl be at the same angle as t he arm when riding...

 

[elPedro666]

I find shorter stem, slightly higher bars and saddle quite well forward have worked well for m'lady. I'd normally run my bars a couple of inches below my saddle, hers are nearly level with.

Concur with the plumb-line from knee-cap to ball of foot/pedal axle trick too, although it's an old roadie method it seems to work well enough

More handlebar sweep made a massive difference for us too, don't know if that's just an individual thing, but worth a thought.

Pics are what we really need though!