Cycling for Noobs

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1step2far Dec 2020 9:12am, 19 Dec 2020 6,262 posts	0 1step2far I've got the older version of this one I think, but paid less than £1000 in the sale. canyon.com
Corrah Dec 2020 11:26am, 19 Dec 2020 6,235 posts	0 Corrah Oh dear, my inseam is only 25 inches. Darn you short legs!
AndyS Jan 2021 3:03pm, 26 Jan 2021 176 posts	0 AndyS Background: I recently bought a bike, and it pretty much crippled me. I messed around with all kinds of saddle heights, and it didn't seem to make much difference. "Fortunately", there were a bunch of other issues with it, so I've managed to get the sellers to take it back as unfit for purpose. And the reason I'm here: I'm thinking about trying again - maybe with something a bit better (read "more expensive"). My concern is that if it doesn't suit me, it's going to be hard to return it (AFAICT, most shops won't take returns of a bike that's been ridden there's an actual manufacturing defect - which, to be fair, doesn't seem all that unreasonable). So I'm left with the choice of either gambling a big chunk of cash on a bike that may cripple me, or giving up on the idea altogether. So what's the best way for me to figure out if a bike's going to be fun or all-the-pain? Sitting on it in a shop for a few minutes isn't going to tell me, but if I ride any distance, then I'm not going to be able to take it back. Or should I just forget the idea altogether?
Dvorak Jan 2021 3:14pm, 26 Jan 2021 21,879 posts	0 Dvorak How did it cripple you, Andy? I think that's the starting point for informed answers. And what type of bike was it? I think it highly unlikely that you wont find something to suit. No reason it should be particularly expensive. Whether they fit you or not, is not what makes bikes expensive. You might find something for £200 that fitted. Or less, second-hand.
Fenland Flier Jan 2021 3:16pm, 26 Jan 2021 2,093 posts	0 Fenland Flier Find a good local bike shop that may allow you to test drive some. (I don't know if shops do this.) A local shop would be more help than a chain that sells bikes and many other items. They would be able to set up your bike and make suggestions, let them know what your issues were in riding the returned cycle. Good luck.
Dvorak Jan 2021 3:24pm, 26 Jan 2021 21,880 posts	0 Dvorak Just read your blogs, Andy. You've had a rough time, to be sure. I hazard a guess then that your bike was at least a size small? But the issues may not all be with the bike. How is the Wattbike going?
AndyS Jan 2021 3:25pm, 26 Jan 2021 177 posts	0 AndyS After riding it, I was in agony - not immediately, but shortly afterwards. Pains all the way down the backs of both legs every time I stood up. (I haven't been on it for over a week, and I'm still sore). I'd say it was my sciatic nerve - except based on my (extremely limited) knowledge of anatomy, it was "outboard" of there. I realise that the cost (or lack thereof) isn't what makes in fit - but I'm struggling to see how I can get a bike that does fit without trying it out first. (The fact that every manufacturer seems to have a different idea about where "small" ends and "medium" starts doesn't help... especially given that in everything other than bikes I'm an XL...)
Dvorak Jan 2021 3:35pm, 26 Jan 2021 21,881 posts	0 Dvorak What size are you? I'm quite compact, with extra-compact legs (5'5", 27.5" inseam). 17" old-school mtb (equivalent to a usual 16" frame now, I think) perfect fit, 15.5" cruiser (slightly small), 45 cm road bike (tiny! but good fit (and bought over the internet)).
MazH Jan 2021 3:43pm, 26 Jan 2021 11,260 posts	0 MazH + 1 for buying off Facebay... a bike will usually sell again for what you paid for it, assuming you weren't totally mugged off.... remember you can adjust the seat and the handlebars... If sciatic type pain it sounds like maybe not enough leg length in the cranks, i.e. when seated, and the pedal is sitting at south, your leg should only be slightly bent. it's a fine margin. (i know this, as was having similar pain and putting my seat higher helped a million) Were you riding sports drops? or flats hybrid/MTB? also things like bar ends to give you a more adaptable riding position. and was it rough and bumpy? do you have suspension? (refer back to leg length if extra bouncy susp)
MazH Jan 2021 3:44pm, 26 Jan 2021 11,261 posts	0 MazH thinking maybe you've jostled a nerve on the bumps as opposed to the bike being at fault.... could be your accumulated watt bike useage is giving you pain, and you're blaming the bike just brainstorming....