A number of people commented that my saddle needed to be higher to avoid knee pain. I was fine for 2 years. Last weekend I put the saddle up, probably more than I should have done, and a week later I still have two very painful knees and a niggle mid back. So my experience is the exact opposite to the often stated comment that low seat height can cause knee pain.
Very helpful, especially the sitting on the saddle foot barely touching the ground part. Had no clue about that. EDIT: I think you just saved my knees. Took a quick ride and my seat WAY to high and once lowered my left knee felt pain kessened. So oh wishes of prosperity and gratitude. Thanks! :)
Worth noting that for new or returning riders, you'll need to adjust things along the way as your body shape changes. Someone at work was struggling with comfort and joint pain on his bike - turned out he hadn't adjusted anything since first setting up the bike, but he'd lost 3 stone in that time. Went for another fitting and all was good again.
You pretty much covered it all. The one thing that always puzzles me is the common advice not to tilt your seat back. I have done a lot of experimenting with that and to me, the way I'm most comfortable on my bike is with the seat tilted back slightly. It seems to stabilize my position on the saddle due to the way gravity works. My handlebars are relatively high up as well, which seems to compensate for that. I do not ride to race, but enjoy touring, which means spending entire days riding the bike on occasion and it has been totally fine and pain less in that position. It always feels really weird when I try other bikes that aren't set up that way, because I simply can't get comfortable. Having said all that, I've never had a bike fit and I've only recently learned a bit about the theory of bike fitting.
Very helpful advice. In terms of comfort, I've found saddle choice is also important. After treatment for prostate cancer I found most ordinary saddles very uncomfortable. However, I then tried the Rido R2 which solved the problem. This saddle takes all the pressure off the perineum and your weight is carried on the 'sit bones' where it should be, making it very comfortable.
Even though I'm slim and fit, I removed the razor blade saddle fitted and replaced it wide gel for big Bums saddle into my mountain bike instead. The perfect saddle for any distance.
This is an excellent tip. 👍 Thank you for taking the time to share it.😀 I mark my seat post with a dab of nail polish one for my SPD-SL shoes and one for SPD ones.
Thanks for another very interesting video. I am taking riding up again after 30 years absence and doing it with a Brompton to start with, and as a result of seeing your videos on the bike. All being well, I progress to a bigger road bike. I am dreading the saddles they seem to have these days, but see that they have way more adjustment now than when I first started. Hopefully though they are more comfortable on the seat bones than they look! :)
That's fantastic, thank you for shareing! You'll be like me soon, I bought 3 bikes my firt year back cycling. The saddles are really are more comfortable than they look . On long rides the smaller and harder the saddle is the better, once your sitbones are broken in that is. More saddle and more coushion usually just means more friction which causes saddle sores. The saddle that comes with the bike usually needs changing though, if you find you are getting numbness look for a saddle with a cutout.
Your videos are always really good this one is most excellent. I hope you get a record amount of views it deserves it. Very sound information Thank you
Thank you so much about the little tip about how Specialized come about their frame sizes. I have been having quite a few issues recently trying to size a potential new bike against my current Roubaix because I assumed that they use seat tube length and not top tube length.
Glad it helped, I had a pretty frustrating expierence with it when I was sent a demo bike, I gave them my seat tube size not realizing they go by top tube!
Hi Michelle, great video as usual. Have you thought about using special, clear frame protection, against paint scratches etc? e.g Helicopter tape, Bike Shield etc?
I have on my list of video ideas, a video on saddles. I've been hesitant to make it as it is a very personal issue and my experience is limited to myself (and my husbands). Keep an eye out though.
Tq. Quite a useful info. I just started riding a Dahon folded bike. Each day around 15km of cycling. I believe cycling is a good exercise to improve our cardio & strengthen the legs muscles. Wonder if cycling really helps to trim our tummy? 👌
Great video👍 But riding a Bromton, its a bit tricky...😉🇬🇧 Starting riding it again, after a year away from bikes, so now even my comfortable Brooks saddle, feels like sitting on an upright piece of wood.... ouch....
How straight are your arms? If you are too stretched out or riding with your arms too stright that could be a possibilty. I try to think of my arms as shockabsorbers and try to keep them loose with a nice bend in the elbow. On long rides this can get harder as you get more tired.
Ride On Cycling thank you for your response! I’ve been messing around with my saddle forward/back position and might look into your suggestion at raising the bars. 😊
I just picked up a trek marlin four today. I love it but something has to give. I bought a wide seat for it at Walmart Schwinn brand and I’m pretty sure it won’t fit. It doesn’t bother me as much after riding for an hour compared to when I test rode it but I’m thinking maybe a gel cover. 🤔
If it's your sit bones the best thing for that is regular riding to toughen them up. Gel covers are risky, softer saddles on long rides can cause friction and that means saddle sores 😬
@@OneLessCar Yep most definitely. I am used to it now and it doesn’t hurt my butt anymore but you might be onto some thing about saddle sores. I was telling somebody at work the other day it felt kind of like I had a little bit of a diaper rash on my upper legs and I didn’t know why ha ha but it was my sit bones for sure.
Your accent is strange. It is a mix of Canadian, Worcestershire, hint of Irish at times and North American. That busy style compact garden with its bird calls in the background seems U.K. If you don't mind me asking madam, where are you from? I'm most intrigued.
Thanks for the video. I have finally got my wife interested in cycling again. But, she has always had cheap Canadian Tire SuperCycles and has never experienced anything better. I myself only ride the Brompton and a cheaper folder to accomodate commuting to work. She is complaining of an uncomfortable seat. But, unsure if it's the bike, strengthening, or the saddle. She is convinced she needs the softest saddle. But, she possibly needs to be fitted on the whole bike. Ultimately, just buying the softest seat may be a waste of money. Any thoughts?
I'm currently working on a video about saddles so hopefully that will help. Should be out in a couple weeks. My advice is that saddles are counter intuitive softer and bigger doesn't mean more comfortable (usually they mean more friction and numbness - than not good). I also expect that the saddle that comes with the bike won't be suitable. But before running out to buy another one you have to get specific about the problem.
If you aren't sure about what the correct bikes size is for you here's a handy guide bit.ly/37NVP2M
Ebikes are bringing many older adults back to cycling. Making the bike comfortable is important.
A number of people commented that my saddle needed to be higher to avoid knee pain. I was fine for 2 years. Last weekend I put the saddle up, probably more than I should have done, and a week later I still have two very painful knees and a niggle mid back. So my experience is the exact opposite to the often stated comment that low seat height can cause knee pain.
Very helpful, especially the sitting on the saddle foot barely touching the ground part. Had no clue about that. EDIT: I think you just saved my knees. Took a quick ride and my seat WAY to high and once lowered my left knee felt pain kessened. So oh wishes of prosperity and gratitude. Thanks! :)
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. That's fantastic and it's always nice to know that the effort to make these videos is worth it 😀
Worth noting that for new or returning riders, you'll need to adjust things along the way as your body shape changes.
Someone at work was struggling with comfort and joint pain on his bike - turned out he hadn't adjusted anything since first setting up the bike, but he'd lost 3 stone in that time. Went for another fitting and all was good again.
Thanks for the excellent tip Duncan!
You pretty much covered it all. The one thing that always puzzles me is the common advice not to tilt your seat back. I have done a lot of experimenting with that and to me, the way I'm most comfortable on my bike is with the seat tilted back slightly. It seems to stabilize my position on the saddle due to the way gravity works. My handlebars are relatively high up as well, which seems to compensate for that. I do not ride to race, but enjoy touring, which means spending entire days riding the bike on occasion and it has been totally fine and pain less in that position. It always feels really weird when I try other bikes that aren't set up that way, because I simply can't get comfortable. Having said all that, I've never had a bike fit and I've only recently learned a bit about the theory of bike fitting.
Very helpful advice. In terms of comfort, I've found saddle choice is also important. After treatment for prostate cancer I found most ordinary saddles very uncomfortable. However, I then tried the Rido R2 which solved the problem. This saddle takes all the pressure off the perineum and your weight is carried on the 'sit bones' where it should be, making it very comfortable.
Even though I'm slim and fit, I removed the razor blade saddle fitted and replaced it wide gel for big Bums saddle into my mountain bike instead. The perfect saddle for any distance.
Once you get it right - write down your seat height etc adjustment positions for future reference in case they are changed on a bike service etc.
This is an excellent tip. 👍 Thank you for taking the time to share it.😀 I mark my seat post with a dab of nail polish one for my SPD-SL shoes and one for SPD ones.
Thanks for another very interesting video. I am taking riding up again after 30 years absence and doing it with a Brompton to start with, and as a result of seeing your videos on the bike. All being well, I progress to a bigger road bike. I am dreading the saddles they seem to have these days, but see that they have way more adjustment now than when I first started. Hopefully though they are more comfortable on the seat bones than they look! :)
That's fantastic, thank you for shareing! You'll be like me soon, I bought 3 bikes my firt year back cycling. The saddles are really are more comfortable than they look . On long rides the smaller and harder the saddle is the better, once your sitbones are broken in that is. More saddle and more coushion usually just means more friction which causes saddle sores. The saddle that comes with the bike usually needs changing though, if you find you are getting numbness look for a saddle with a cutout.
Very helpful, I didn't know you could change the handlebars in those easier ways.
Glad the video was helpful. Hopefully you're able to get your bike into the right position for you.
Choosing the type of bike can make it more comfortable also. Cruiser bike, mountain bike and etc.
Your videos are always really good this one is most excellent. I hope you get a record amount of views it deserves it. Very sound information Thank you
Wow, thank you for such a lovely comment, a good first one, let's hope others find it as useful as you do 😀
your video it's useful to select prefect bike thanks for this
You are welcome Ganesh!
Great advice and very easy to follow, thank you for your help. 👍
Pressed like before you started talking!!!. Excellent info for EVER BODY!
Thank you so much about the little tip about how Specialized come about their frame sizes. I have been having quite a few issues recently trying to size a potential new bike against my current Roubaix because I assumed that they use seat tube length and not top tube length.
Glad it helped, I had a pretty frustrating expierence with it when I was sent a demo bike, I gave them my seat tube size not realizing they go by top tube!
Hi Michelle, great video as usual. Have you thought about using special, clear frame protection, against paint scratches etc? e.g Helicopter tape, Bike Shield etc?
Great series, can you give more advice on women’s specific problems, ie. overcoming soreness, down there?
I have on my list of video ideas, a video on saddles. I've been hesitant to make it as it is a very personal issue and my experience is limited to myself (and my husbands). Keep an eye out though.
beware of hemorrhoids- sorry had to say it here...its a real issue for some folks
Love the vids, very helpful 👍🏾. Keep up the good work 😊
Tq. Quite a useful info. I just started riding a Dahon folded bike. Each day around 15km of cycling. I believe cycling is a good exercise to improve our cardio & strengthen the legs muscles. Wonder if cycling really helps to trim our tummy? 👌
Quality presentation and information. Thank you
Great video👍 But riding a Bromton, its a bit tricky...😉🇬🇧 Starting riding it again, after a year away from bikes, so now even my comfortable Brooks saddle, feels like sitting on an upright piece of wood.... ouch....
Yes those sitbones need constant riding or they go soft again 😭 won't take long to get they used to it again I'm sure.
I am also an avid cyclist, I enjoy your videos love you from the Bronx N.Y
Thank you! glad you like them.
I do see quite a few people with too low a saddle and I.m sure its the old-time view of you have to touch the floor from the saddle.
Excellent
Thanks, i like the name of your channel :-)
Listen to your body ...! This is a great tip.
The comfortable first
Great video.Thank You!
Glad you liked it!
Great Video ! With ref to sizing, what frame size you riding ? and which model of Canyon is that !
Another great addition!
Do you know what part of the fit could be causing shoulder pain in the bike?
How straight are your arms? If you are too stretched out or riding with your arms too stright that could be a possibilty. I try to think of my arms as shockabsorbers and try to keep them loose with a nice bend in the elbow. On long rides this can get harder as you get more tired.
Ride On Cycling thank you for your response! I’ve been messing around with my saddle forward/back position and might look into your suggestion at raising the bars. 😊
I just picked up a trek marlin four today. I love it but something has to give. I bought a wide seat for it at Walmart Schwinn brand and I’m pretty sure it won’t fit. It doesn’t bother me as much after riding for an hour compared to when I test rode it but I’m thinking maybe a gel cover. 🤔
If it's your sit bones the best thing for that is regular riding to toughen them up. Gel covers are risky, softer saddles on long rides can cause friction and that means saddle sores 😬
@@OneLessCar Yep most definitely. I am used to it now and it doesn’t hurt my butt anymore but you might be onto some thing about saddle sores. I was telling somebody at work the other day it felt kind of like I had a little bit of a diaper rash on my upper legs and I didn’t know why ha ha but it was my sit bones for sure.
@@OneLessCar Toughing up sit bones? I thought the saddle would soften up and form to the rider's rump curves.
4:23 haha good point... 4:35 - beautiful
Your accent is strange. It is a mix of Canadian, Worcestershire, hint of Irish at times and North American. That busy style compact garden with its bird calls in the background seems U.K.
If you don't mind me asking madam, where are you from? I'm most intrigued.
For me it has always been my ankles that hurt while cycling - still trying to figure out why!
That is interesting. Perhaps hiking boots with ankle supporting would do the trick 😉
What can be done about cycling safety? I.e other road users
Thanks for the video.
I have finally got my wife interested in cycling again. But, she has always had cheap Canadian Tire SuperCycles and has never experienced anything better. I myself only ride the Brompton and a cheaper folder to accomodate commuting to work.
She is complaining of an uncomfortable seat. But, unsure if it's the bike, strengthening, or the saddle.
She is convinced she needs the softest saddle. But, she possibly needs to be fitted on the whole bike.
Ultimately, just buying the softest seat may be a waste of money. Any thoughts?
I'm currently working on a video about saddles so hopefully that will help. Should be out in a couple weeks. My advice is that saddles are counter intuitive softer and bigger doesn't mean more comfortable (usually they mean more friction and numbness - than not good). I also expect that the saddle that comes with the bike won't be suitable. But before running out to buy another one you have to get specific about the problem.
The best way to find comfortable bike is:
Trying a lot of bikes
Hi Michelle ! please could you speak just a little bit more slow ! thank by advance ! and good job !!!-) Phil ! (from the frog country) voila !!
Where r u from Michelle?
This is the first time I know your channel. Can i make friend with you