I'm finishing my 3rd season of riding my hybrid. My spinning skills are improvong w/time and dist. I don't ride anything technical, but use my bike as a fitness tool. Along the way I have learned a few things the hard way that might help others.
I started out w/97 DB that was set up for smaller person. I rode it for a little while before changing to higher stem to raise the riser bars to comfortable level. I got some R7 forks that I will never have to upgrade, a gel seat and went to a 1x9 that I have never had a problem with.
In my quest to go faster/longer I changed the stem "lower" and went to a flat bar, got some clipless shoes and power straps. The new bar cut into my hands no matter what, my feet went to sleep and my back hurt. I added insoles to my shoes, no help. My attitude was that I needed to get lower to go faster?
I kept the lower stem, went back to riser bars and took off the straps. Now my feet can find the most comfportable spot on the pedals and I can change position as needed. I wasted a few months trying to get comfortable w/more aero position, but I couldn't get comfortable no matter what.
I now enjoy riding w/o pain and can train harder and more often. We will be doing our end of year finale 1/2 C or 100 K on Am River Bike Trail. We do something at the end of the season to close out the year on a high note. My best 1/2 C was 4:50 and I felt good.
The 100 K was a diaster. I bonked big time and had to crawl along to finish. That was a 7:30 hell ride.
I haven't gotten in as much training as I would like, but I know I can do much better on the 1/2 C. I think 4 hrs flat or better is a good goal for me. I hope this can help others in the same situation.
Ricisan
I started out w/97 DB that was set up for smaller person. I rode it for a little while before changing to higher stem to raise the riser bars to comfortable level. I got some R7 forks that I will never have to upgrade, a gel seat and went to a 1x9 that I have never had a problem with.
In my quest to go faster/longer I changed the stem "lower" and went to a flat bar, got some clipless shoes and power straps. The new bar cut into my hands no matter what, my feet went to sleep and my back hurt. I added insoles to my shoes, no help. My attitude was that I needed to get lower to go faster?
I kept the lower stem, went back to riser bars and took off the straps. Now my feet can find the most comfportable spot on the pedals and I can change position as needed. I wasted a few months trying to get comfortable w/more aero position, but I couldn't get comfortable no matter what.
I now enjoy riding w/o pain and can train harder and more often. We will be doing our end of year finale 1/2 C or 100 K on Am River Bike Trail. We do something at the end of the season to close out the year on a high note. My best 1/2 C was 4:50 and I felt good.
The 100 K was a diaster. I bonked big time and had to crawl along to finish. That was a 7:30 hell ride.
I haven't gotten in as much training as I would like, but I know I can do much better on the 1/2 C. I think 4 hrs flat or better is a good goal for me. I hope this can help others in the same situation.
Ricisan