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That's the problem with the modern bikes... I bought mine in Germany, because I couldn't find one suitable for me in Britain. I hate those low handlebars - all you can see when you are cycling is the bit of tarmac in front of you! Not very safe, I think - particularly when you are travelling with a kid. And mine was a bit more expensive, too...

And I know you can buy them online - but a bike is the one thing you shouldn't really. You need to do a trip round the block to see whether you can ride it. Just measurements don't really do the trick.

This is the one I have - I think, or one very nearly the same. Handlebars can be adjusted to fit me; I don't like to have my bum higher than my head... Good thing is they always come complete with very sturdy luggage rack, and very good lights (integrated in front hub - no batteries).

http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/T800_Sr ... 7G_31.html

Unfortunately, I haven't been up on it since my little accident almost two years ago! Must dig it out of the garage again at the weekend...

Dig! Dig! Dust it off and oil it up and report back :D :D

You don't know what my garage looks like...

This could take a while. And my left leg is still a bit dodgy - but if I don't get back on my bike soon, I have the feeling I never will.

[/quote]

this is the bike I have bought... 18" frame I did all the measurements and followed all the guidance I could as to the size of frame.
It IS a womans bike... It is only big because I think it is (that doesn't make much sense huh) I haven't ridden a bike for years and when you have to balance on this 2 wheeled monster it seems too big... but I actually have the height lower than is recommended... And I do find it odd that the handle bars can't be raised... I had thought I would have some kind of option as to my position while riding (ie more upright) but seems that I bought the wrong bike for that.

I have already been through the 'send it back' argument with OH and I think he is right that I was just overwhelmed and any bike would have been daunting. We are going through to the shop at the weekend (I was adamant that I would buy on-line, and I made the best choice I could) I plan on getting a new Big Ass saddle while there lol...

I don't think I have bought the wrong bike, just one that is a bit scarier than the old ladies, step through frame, wide saddle, wicker basket, low saddle... which might have been an easier one to get on and off, but it wouldn't have survived on the rough paths and hills around here... Oh, and it is 24 gear... and any tips on how best to use them would be greatly appreciated... it would help with the hills. [/quote]

Sorry if I made the assumption that you had bought the wrong bike it just sounded like you had a mans mountain bike and as I now realise riding my wifes ladies spec bike it is a whole new game.

I think the steering that you have is the A Head system and that needs setting up for your riding position.

As for useing the gears the simple to understand way ( for me writing this) iis to try and keep the chain in a straight line. Imagine the front chain rings so if the chain is on the outer largest ring then keep the chain on the outer most 2 back cogs. If that is too hard then move the chain from the large outer ring to the middle ( front) ring and keep the chain on the rear middle three cogs...... if this is to hard then drop the chain to the smallest front ring and the corrosponding rear inner 3 cogs.

I hope that is easy to understand, probably not but it's most efficient way to ride and you will soon feel the best way to ride. To try this out find a cycle path and ride on that not on the road as one slip on the gears can have you wobbling all over the place.

I really hope you enjoy your cycling, I miss it terribly now I can't do it as much as I did back in the 90's. My best effort was the coast to coast in 14 hours 28 minutes...... now it's as much as I can do to look at the bike and get out for about 5 miles slowly......

Annpan wrote:

Big Al wrote:

Annpan wrote:Well we decided to go with the... get the best that is reasonable for the job in habd (basically the prices above are what we paid) It arrived on Tuesday, I have been on it for a few miles (sans baby and seat - just on me tod)

The only major problem (besides it being vary large and a 'proper' mountain bike on which you can't lower the seat or raise the handle bars ) But the saddle is either a mans one or made for a pre-childbirth women... which IS a problem as [TMI WARNING] due to child birth my pelvic bones are wider that they once were which means that my pelvis is not well supported by the seat - it does not make cycling impossible by any means but I have more aches than I ought to have....

Where did you get the bike ?? sounds like you got a man's mountain bike. You did tell the shop that it was for a woman didn't you ?? Look at swaping the seat for a gel seat or a ladies seat. Wider, less pointy. YesI know it's a bit more expense but the comfort is great. If you can't lower the saddle then you have bought the wrong size frame bike I'm afraid.

What is the bike name and size of frame?

this is the bike I have bought... 18" frame I did all the measurements and followed all the guidance I could as to the size of frame.
It IS a womans bike... It is only big because I think it is (that doesn't make much sense huh) I haven't ridden a bike for years and when you have to balance on this 2 wheeled monster it seems too big... but I actually have the height lower than is recommended... And I do find it odd that the handle bars can't be raised... I had thought I would have some kind of option as to my position while riding (ie more upright) but seems that I bought the wrong bike for that.

I have already been through the 'send it back' argument with OH and I think he is right that I was just overwhelmed and any bike would have been daunting. We are going through to the shop at the weekend (I was adamant that I would buy on-line, and I made the best choice I could) I plan on getting a new Big Ass saddle while there lol...

I don't think I have bought the wrong bike, just one that is a bit scarier than the old ladies, step through frame, wide saddle, wicker basket, low saddle... which might have been an easier one to get on and off, but it wouldn't have survived on the rough paths and hills around here... Oh, and it is 24 gear... and any tips on how best to use them would be greatly appreciated... it would help with the hills.

Sorry if I made the assumption that you had bought the wrong bike it just sounded like you had a mans mountain bike and as I now realise riding my wifes ladies spec bike it is a whole new game.

I think the steering that you have is the A Head system and that needs setting up for your riding position.

As for useing the gears the simple to understand way ( for me writing this) iis to try and keep the chain in a straight line. Imagine the front chain rings so if the chain is on the outer largest ring then keep the chain on the outer most 2 back cogs. If that is too hard then move the chain from the large outer ring to the middle ( front) ring and keep the chain on the rear middle three cogs...... if this is to hard then drop the chain to the smallest front ring and the corrosponding rear inner 3 cogs.

I hope that is easy to understand, probably not but it's most efficient way to ride and you will soon feel the best way to ride. To try this out find a cycle path and ride on that not on the road as one slip on the gears can have you wobbling all over the place.

I really hope you enjoy your cycling, I miss it terribly now I can't do it as much as I did back in the 90's. My best effort was the coast to coast in 14 hours 28 minutes...... now it's as much as I can do to look at the bike and get out for about 5 miles slowly......

ina wrote:You don't know what my garage looks like...

I do I do!

Wombat wrote:

ina wrote:You don't know what my garage looks like...

I do I do!

Oooops!

I bet you didn't see the bike though - it's more or less at the back...

ina wrote:

Wombat wrote:

ina wrote:You don't know what my garage looks like...

I do I do!

Oooops!

I bet you didn't see the bike though - it's more or less at the back...

You're right Ina

Nev

Went through to the shop in Edinburgh today - and got a new saddle, I have just come back from another 2 mile ride and....


phew, that is better... certainly does take the 'ike out of bike great going, not painfull at all (anyone know why they bother giving you a saddle at all with the bike? I'd imagine it would be more comfortable sitting on the frame )

Any more hints on gears though? It is really difficult coming back up hill into the village (it is undulating so you are up - down -up - down) I tried staying in lower gears for coming back but I was having that nasty sound from the chain not catching when I tried to move the front gears up and down

ina wrote:I don't like to have my bum higher than my head...

I'm going to chuckle for days now!

Annpan wrote:
Any more hints on gears though? It is really difficult coming back up hill into the village (it is undulating so you are up - down -up - down) I tried staying in lower gears for coming back but I was having that nasty sound from the chain not catching when I tried to move the front gears up and down

You have experienced what i was trying to tell you in my last post on gears. The reason of the noise is the chain not being lined up properly. If you are in the low gears on the back I.E the biggest 3 rings ( on the back) then you need to be in the smallest ring on the front. The middle 2 rings on the back you need to be in the middle ring on the front and the smallest 3 rings on the back you need to be in the largest ring on the front. If you try to put the chain on the biggest ring on the front and the middle rings on the back or visa versa then you will get the clashing of the chain etc. All it is doing is trying to drive the wheels at an odd angle.
Think of it hypothetically as towing a caravan. it is easier to tow a caravan with the tow hook in the middle of the car and caravan than having the tow hook on the right of the car and the left of the caravan...

You will soon find the comfortable way and one trip you will be poodling along and there will be no noise and your legs will be going round not too fast and not too slow and the penny will drop so to speak and you will be dead chuffed....... oh and you will stop looking at the back cogs through your legs.....lol.

HTH

Can anyone else explain this better ??

Alan

Big Al wrote:Can anyone else explain this better ??

Alan

I have hub gears these days, but this sounds about right.

I had a bit of a problem with my gears early on. Took the bike back to the shop. Turns out it hadn't been set up correctly. They fiddled a bit and now it's fine.

Zoe