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Darkside. Oh no- I ...
 

[Closed] Darkside. Oh no- I bought the wrong the wrong bike size

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Oh. My. Goodness.

Mark - as this calls for proper names.

Saddle is totally messed up.

Nothing explicitly wrong with STI's like that really, other than looks, but, with the saddle slammed forward too suggests flexibility issues that just say "stretch" to me.

Knowing your preference for "small" mountain bikes, I can only assume you prefer a very upright position, and aren't suited to a moderate reach on a road bike.

I think a sort of "Dutch" bike might be more up your alley.


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:39 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:43 pm
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I really cannot think of a way that the bike can be made to be more uncomfortable.

Edit: Well...

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:45 pm
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😀


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:46 pm
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Surely the front of a saddle is the nose?

Doh! of course it is. Been a long day.


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:46 pm
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You also need to get the rear qr in between the seat and chain stay. Then you need to sell it and buy the next size up.


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:47 pm
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You know a bikes bad when no one sees that and notices the QR's

Edit: Dammit! Foiled by the glitchy page bump! And thats a bit freeky.ll


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:51 pm
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How much are the purple seat toppers ???


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 9:53 pm
 hora
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😆 ****ers. Cheers ****ers 😆


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 10:05 pm
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Are your brakes undone too? ❓


 
Posted : 16/06/2014 10:11 pm
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My eyes!!!
Whoever set that up should be shot or at the very least banned from ever owning a road bike or offering advice on how to set it up!
MTB saddle? WTB Silverado by the looks of it (could be wrong though) about the most uncomfortable saddle possible on the road IMO, but great on a MTB.
I'm not going to go into the saddle angle, position on the rails, bar angle, Sti angle etc etc.

Although biggest issue of all surely has to be the skewers-pointing backwards on the rear & the lever on the wrong side on the front? You deserve to be uncomfortable riding it in that state.


 
Posted : 17/06/2014 8:52 am
 hora
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Last night I felt like I could ride forever, not at a fantastic pace just forever if that makes sense. I'd changed my saddle to a Charge Scoop and after moving the saddle nose to 5mmish behind the BB- it felt too far back so tapped it fwd just a smidge and it clicked. 🙂


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 9:30 am
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5 mm-ish or cm-ish? I'd be surprised if you can achieve 5 mm setback. Any change in saddle height? And yes, when it fits, it should feel effortless.

Now onto the bars; hands on the hoods. Lean forwards into a slight aero tuck, you should have an elbow bend of [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanschwier/14244148690/in/set-72157645194146285 ]90-100 degrees[/url]. Bar to saddle drop is entirely personal. Reach is not.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 1:54 pm
 hora
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Possibly think the saddle is a smidge too low now. Not a biggy but can be slightly higher.

From memory- c5cm setback(which felt wrong).


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 2:47 pm
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Bar to saddle drop is entirely personal. Reach is not.

I disagree, bike fit is personal. There are rules of thumb and all that jazz, but nothing about a bike size is definitive right/wrong. Even saddle height some folk will choose a few mm +/- 'optimum'.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 2:50 pm
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MTB saddle? WTB Silverado by the looks of it

I recall Hora had a "what roadie saddle" thread? I love Silverados on my MTBs to the extent I stockpile cheap used ones. Tried one on my road bike and it didnt give enough support, felt too soft and baggy. Currently have San Marco saddles on my road bikes (Ponza on winter bike, Spid on summer bike).


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 3:06 pm
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bike fit is personal

Sorry terminology, I was using "reach" as in how far I reach over, not the new-fangled-cervelo-favoured definition. Basically you should have a little kink in the arms when leaning over onto the drops to be comfortable.

Fit is personal, but the principles undelying fit are not. I'm sure we agree on that.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 3:18 pm
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Trouble is that you'll always find exceptions to 'underlying priciples' - bio mechanics, circumstances and genetics are complex and provide for a huge number of scenarios that differ from the norm.

Absolute statements are rarely right, just about right for most people and a good starting point for most.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 3:21 pm
 hora
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The Silverado- haven't tried it on the MTB yet. Didnt like it on the road bike at all. Then again I didn't like the Scoop on my mtb.

I've always loved WTB's on my mountain bike so its going on there this weekend..

What I do want is a anodised orange stem....seen one in a roadbike mag ad this week.

Who cares if it looks garish on a baby blue frame. Its my bike so piss off! 😀


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 3:23 pm
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Sorry terminology, I was using "reach" as in how far I reach over, not the new-fangled-cervelo-favoured definition. Basically you should have a little kink in the arms when leaning over onto the drops to be comfortable.

I realise, but it's still not as definitive as there being a right and a wrong fit. I suspect my road bike is too short by all 'rules' - the front hub sits some way in front of the bars when I'm on the hoods (wtih a slight bend in my elbows albeit not 90-100 degrees), but I find it perfectly comfortable, I like the handling and I'm not hitting my knees on the stem or anything, so why would I change it!?

You've been very vocal on bike fit before, I believe it was that unless you're spending 50% of your time in the drops the bars are too low? I really don't think it's as clear cut as you seem to think.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 3:57 pm
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I also ride a bike that is, according to a local LBS, "too small". It isn't.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 4:00 pm
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Orange stem & baby blue bike will look nice, it'll look like a 70's racing car..

Whats the name of the oil company that painted thier cars blue and orange??

Look preety 😀


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 4:09 pm
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[img] [/img]

Gulf!?

**Jamie to the thread please** can we photoshop Hora onto the car or sommat please!?


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 4:10 pm
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hora, you will not achieve this look with a P-X and an orange stem....(Gulf inspired one-off paint job).

[img] [/img]

I thought there was a bit of a consensus on the saddle thread that the best roadie saddle was "your MTB saddle, obvs" which is why I commented that it wasnt the case for me, and specifically with a Silverado. I'm less than 70kg and found it didnt give me enough support on the road bike.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 4:16 pm
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I use different saddles on road/MTBs, generally have done. Toupes on the road, did use them off road, but broke several. Different position after all, so stands to reason you don't want exactly the same.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 4:18 pm
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Can't believe no ones mentioned the frame mounted pump yet, mini pump in the rear pocket of your jersey is the way to go.
Surprised kids in the street have not been throwing eggs and mocking you.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 9:39 pm
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Hora needs a team sky kit as that stripe will go well with his bike!


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 10:16 pm
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Can't believe no ones mentioned the frame mounted pump yet, mini pump in the rear pocket of your jersey is the way to go.

I am a little surprised not to see a saddle bag on there too.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 10:20 pm
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You've been very vocal on bike fit before, I believe it was that unless you're spending 50% of your time in the drops the bars are too low?

I've mellowed - 30% 😉 Drops are there to be used, after all.

But Orange stem and Blue frame. Please. SO 90's decor. White if you must, but there are rules for these sorts of things. That Baum is as nice as the Parlee.


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 11:07 pm
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I am a little surprised not to see a saddle bag on there too.

I use a saddle bag. The rules be damned!


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 11:20 pm
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I use a saddle bag. The rules be damned!

one of my more serious roadie mates is dead against saddle bags. Quite why it is better to have extra bulky weight stretching your £100+ Castelli/Assos/Rapha top out of shape rather than neatly (and aerodynamically) tucked away on the bike I cant figure out.

I have the best of both worlds, all the junk goes in Munqe Chick's saddle bag leaving both my bike and my jersey unfettered 😆


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:34 am
 hora
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Is this naughty? I prefer riding my road bike without a helmet 😳

I've just bought two of these:

http://www.merlincycles.com/continental-grand-prix-gt-folding-road-tyre-70152.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Both+16+June+Newsletter-2014-06-19+18%3A00%3A00&emst=ns9h6ZZFrF_69268_973904_17

Whats the best sleeveless gillet for wifebeater summer road riding?


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:40 am
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Is this naughty? I prefer riding my road bike without a helmet

You're a grown up, you know the risks.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:42 am
 hora
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Well I have had a stay in hospital due to a head injury so I know the risks..


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:43 am
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You're a grown up

Jury's still out.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:44 am
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Whats the best sleeveless gillet for wifebeater summer road riding?

if youre even vaguely serious about gilets, Scott stuff at start cycles and use code TRIATHLETE10 to knock 10% off already massive discounts. Windproof DWR and water repellent should be less than £20, made with Gore Windstopper a few quid more.

http://startcycles.co.uk/sale/category/scott-clearance.html?arm_length=1548&dir=desc&limit=21&order=percentage_saving

the Windbreaker will pack into a jersey pocket, the Windstopper is a little bulkier.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 10:55 am
 hora
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Could I wear this next to the skin on summer evenings?

http://startcycles.co.uk/sale/category/scott-clearance/scott-2012-rc-pro-cycling-vest-gilet-221534-2279-3.html


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:05 am
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I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the 25c compared to the 23c.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:05 am
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The angle of the drops is another variable, btw. Rotate them but also vary the position of the hoods. Also the shape is another big variable.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:07 am
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Could I wear this next to the skin on summer evenings?

😐 😕


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:09 am
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Could I wear this next to the skin on summer evenings?

yes because its a sleeveless jersey, by gilet I thought you meant sleeveless shell (which you wouldnt want to wear next to the skin).

I [i]think[/i] their "athletic fit" is racing snake snug but worth checking. Theyve got roadie mitts for peanuts too if you have a look around (I wont recommend their MTB gloves cos your too nail to wear them 🙂 ).


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:13 am
 hora
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I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the 25c compared to the 23c.

In a good or bad way? I'm new to all this- I assume(?) that 25c would give noticeable more comfort?

Cheers crashtestmonkey- I fart in the general direction of your trail gloves!

'next to skin'....ever ridden on a Charge scoop saddle? It feels almost pervey..


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:13 am
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In a good or bad way? I'm new to all this- I assume(?) that 25c would give noticeable more comfort?

TBH I didn't really notice any difference in comfort (though not entirely sure what that means and that's not why I got them anyway.) You may find the handling feels a bit funny for the first couple of rides. I think they do roll a bit better. I rather like them. Am still playing with pressures though.

Edit... mine are the GP4000S II, though tore a big hole in the front having only ridden them for a couple of weeks, stupid roadworks left loads of sharp bits of flint on the road so can't really blame the tyre.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:33 am
 hora
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The thinking is 25c means I can drop the pressure slightly too over my 23c's?


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:36 am
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I wasn't running huge pressures on 23c (85/95). Dropped a further 10psi to start with on 25c.


 
Posted : 20/06/2014 11:38 am
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