Bike fit question

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4boysmom

1,307 posts since
Dec 10, 2007

Jun 3, 2007 1:13 PM

Bike fit question

I was all excited about getting my new bike. However, after two 50milers on her, I'm not real happy. My old bike was custom built, and I rode her for 20years, so 'becoming one with the bike' is so true--I KNOW that bike. This new bike feels, well, different. I'm thinking she's too small. But maybe I just need to get used to her?

While just cruising, my knees occasionally bump my elbows. Because the handlebars are so much narrower and the wheelbase so much shorter, this almost caused a wipe out on more than one occasion.

I can't stand to hammer up hills. I know it's not 'proper', but there are a couple rollers where it is easier to just power over, rather than shift. Standing throws my weight too far forward, making her terribly unstable and very difficult to handle.

And, when trying to stand, my knees bump the handlebars, combining the first two problems!

I had hoped to do 80m today, but had to cut the ride short because I just couldn't get comfortable on the bike. I felt like I was all scrunched up.

Is this just a need to get used to a new bike issue or does this bike just not fit? This bike is supposed to be a touring bike.

mbannon

1,814 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Jun 3, 2007 3:38 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

When I bought my new mountain bike (full suspension & disc brakes after riding an old steel model for...ever) I felt the same way. My old bike was like an extension of my body, and this new one...just felt like a bike. It was weird. I have 400+ miles on the new bike now and it's getting much better.

Having said all that, however, your issues sound more serious to me. Bumping your knees on the handlebar? No wonder you feel scrunched up. Do you have a good bike fit person you could work with? Might be worth the $50-100 to know for sure if it's the wrong bike for you or just a "breaking in" type of issue.

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4boysmom

1,307 posts since
Dec 10, 2007

2. Jun 3, 2007 4:54 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

I'm scheduled for a fitting tomorrow. I just don't want to be talked into keeping a bike that doesn't fit. I've emailed my coach, but he did Escape from Alcatraz today (results aren't up yet--bummer!), so not sure when he'll get back with me.

Terry Bicycles has a great guarantee--two week 'ride it and love it, or return it' policy. So I know I'm not stuck. I just wish I knew whats wrong--me or the bike!

ced53

730 posts since
May 25, 2007

3. Jun 3, 2007 5:17 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

Why not just set it up "exactly" like old reliable?
Measure seat height (from crank center) and offset (horizontal distance behind crank center).
Then handlebar center from seat, and drop from seat. A new stem could be needed.
If you do this and it still feels funny, then it is.
-Criag

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

4. Jun 3, 2007 7:20 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

Yes, the post right aove me is correct, you just need to take all the original measurments off your old bike, assuming it fits correctly, set the seat height the same, use a pumb line to set the fore-aft on the saddle and measure the "cockpit" from the nose of saddle to handlebars. Finally, calculate bar drop as seat to floor, take away bars to floor.

Post the measuremnts here and we can take a look, you might not need to waste money on fitting

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

5. Jun 3, 2007 8:32 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

PS, just from reading the post closer, the bike sounds grosly misfit. You may want to measure the top tube and seat tube of the old bike, center to center and compare with the new one. Buying a misfit bike and riding it can be an expensive mistake, I've done it a couple times and taken a bath selling the frame on ebay.

Since we are on the topic, you may want to reconsider the whole notion of a 650 front and 700 rear, it really sounds like a bit of a headache for a daily driver with the kind of use you have in mind. Are you real short? If so, a 650 front and rear might be more practical if you need it for sizing reasons, otherwise, a 700c is a lot more standard.

Terry is just a name, it's not anything special, if you have to ditch the frame, I'd look for any brand that grabs you and provides the right size and geometry to get you down the road.

4boysmom

1,307 posts since
Dec 10, 2007

6. Jun 3, 2007 9:21 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

Yah, I think it's a misfit. My now-old bike has both 700 wheels. I was quite suprised with the 650/700 on my new bike. I'm going to take both bikes in tomorrow. I can understand wanting a racing bike tight, but this is a touring frame--ie meant for comfort over the long haul.

Why Terry? Back in '86 Terry sponsored my sister on RAAM. After riding one of my sister's bikes, I ordered my own. Terry is very easy to work with. When I got hit by a car in '87, they rebuilt her. Again, very easy to work with. So, since I've been quite happy with Terry in the past, there was no question what bike to get. Hubby had an engineering question and emailed Georgina, and she herself replied within 24hrs. I know that Terry will take this bike back if need be. Hopefully just to exchange her! This is not a problem with Terry, rather questioning if this bike is the correct size.

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

7. Jun 3, 2007 9:24 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

It's not a question of it being a racing bike, it just sounds like the length across the top is much too short, assuming the last bike fit correctly. I hope it works out for you, how was the frame size determined in the first place?

4boysmom

1,307 posts since
Dec 10, 2007

8. Jun 4, 2007 11:44 AM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

I went for the fitting this morning. They asked me what I though. I said I thought she was too small. They agreed. Before I even got on. There is no way to make this bike fit. Even a larger Terry won't work. So, it's back to the drawing board. They showed me some options, but my heart just wasn't in it. I'll probably go back tomorrow. I am soooo bumming................. But at least I'm not stuck with a bike that doesn't fit.

MotiveForcer

195 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

9. May 28, 2008 9:39 PM

in response to: 4boysmom

Re: Bike fit question

HELLO!

Yes the bike does not fit but that does not necessarily mean it is or isn't the frame. While the top tube dimension is probably the key element for me when I size a bike the reach also includes the stem which no doubt in this bike is too short since your knees are hitting or the top tube is too short or both. Since your knees were hitting that means the reach of the handlebars is not in question but might have been the cause of the problem. That is, if you think about it, when you sit on the bike and get into the drops when on the trainer in the shop and if you felt good down there and on the hoods then two of the three primary positions you were good in. But my guess is that the top of the bars felt too close, relative at least to your last bike, and is borne out when you are hitting the bars with your knees. Not all handlebars have the same reach or drop for that matter. If you even considered a 650 bike I'm presuming you are petite and this may have been an issue. Some of the new brake hoods have a longer reach to them, including Shimano Dura-ace and perhaps to bring the hoods closer to you the stem is short. A solution could be to get a slightly longer stem BUT a bar with a shorter reach. Some catalogs list this data and some don't. It may take a little research. I'm curious as to what happened. I love the Terry story and about your sister and your good results after the car incident. . It would be too bad if you got a new frame because of a misfit on the components. Being fit in the shop initially I'm surprised you didn't feel the wrongness of it all. Or I bet you did but you are a nice person and didn't want to complain!!!

Good luck,

The only onther question I had is that it reads as if the bike was a combo 650 and 700 bike! True? If so, take two different spare tubes with you!

Jun 3, 2007 1:13 PM

Bike fit question

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