Two Bike Questions
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mgetting posted 9 weeks ago.
As for your 2nd question, you'll need to get a bike fitting for your bike - most bike shops will offer this as a service.
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CGroth posted 9 weeks ago.
you can buy a new set of rear gears (will not add gears, but give you an easier set) for the back wheel that has some easier ones if you are having lots of problems. they are not too expensive, and if you do not have the tools to install it your local bike shop can do it very easily.
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ChunkyB posted 9 weeks ago.
mgetting wrote:
As for your 2nd question, you'll need to get a bike fitting for your bike - most bike shops will offer this as a service.
Umm, if by "as a service" you mean "for about $100", then yes. You won't find a free fitting anywhere that I'm aware of, unless you actually bought the bike new at the shop, which it sounds like isn't the case here.
A pain in your lower back might be from your seat being too high, or it might be some pre-existing condition just manifesting itself now. Could you be more specific about the type of pain you're having? Most of us here aren't doctors, but we also don't charge as much for medical advice.
Ot's not easy to add gears to your bike. If you want to add gears on the front, you might have to get a new crank, and definitely a new derailleur and shifter (if you have indexed shifters). You might want to look into getting a compact crank though. It will still have two gears up front, but they're quite a bit smaller. You lose some on the upper end, but you get a lot on the lower end for climbing and what not. If you get a compact crank (chainring), you can just adjust your existing derailleur, and you might not even have to get new cranks.
If you want more gears on the back, again you'll need a new derailleur and shifter. But, again, you could probably just get a new cassette that has bigger "big" gears to give you more low end.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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PJT posted 9 weeks ago.
2 ways to add easier gears to the bike:
1. Change out cassette on your rear wheel (this is the cluster of sprockets) In the back, bigger=easier. This is likely your least expensive option.
2. Change out the crank or the chainrings on your crank for something smaller. In the front smaller=easier. Changing the entire crank is the most expensive option. Changing just the chainrings may or may not be possible depending on the design of your crank.
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Anton posted 9 weeks ago.
You can download directions on how to fit a Road bike from several places on the web.
try www.parktool.com for starters.
With a friend and some simple measuring tools you can get a pretty good fit. Start there...if, after awhile things still aren't good, then go for a professional fit.
If this is your first road bike, part of the problem may be simply getting used to the machine and how it is different from what you have been riding or perhaps getting used to riding a bike in the first place. New stuff takes time to adjust to. Fitness takes time to build safely...your hill problem may ease off over time as fitness increases.
Talk to folks at your local bike shop...they can help with the gearing problem...they may even have a used cassette around they'll let go for cheap.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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cutiger95 posted 8 weeks ago.
Look for a compact crank for the front of your bike. It should give you the proper gearing necessary for your rides. If you know your bottom bracket size you can probably pick one up fairly cheap on e-bay. It will require a bottom bracket tool but if you have a couple of biking buddies this should work well for you.
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Marcotam posted 8 weeks ago.
Okay, thanks. This sounds like some well thought out advice. My local bike shop is pretty cool, I'll cut and paste some of these suggestions and just talk to them. I have back pain generally (probably where I carry my stress) but it gets quite acute on the bike. It doesn't bother me running or swimming. I just cant seem to find that comfortable spot on the bike; that spot where I can just motor forever. On the run I find my pace (slow as it may be) and just keep it. Same for the swim. But that machine is a bugger!
Thanks again.
Marco
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fpugsley posted 8 weeks ago.
ChunkyB wrote:
If you get a compact crank (chainring), you can just adjust your existing derailleur, and you might not even have to get new cranks.
Compact cranks have a smaller BCD and will not fit standard rings and vice versa. You have to buy the whole crankset not just rings.
To switch to compact up front you will spend $150 used and $250 new plus depending on the age of the bike, you may need a new front deraileur.
Go with a taller cassette like others have suggested.
I was just given my first road bike. It doesn't have enough gears to get up steep hills. Is there a way to add gears to a road bike? I don't have the money right now to buy a new one.
A second question: I get a serious pain in the lower left portion of my back when riding for any length of time. How do I fix that? Do I just need to get my bike adjusted for my body or what? Any help or adice appreciated.