Getting The Proper Bike
We have discussed before the importance of proper fit. If anyone online or at your LBS tries to sell you a bike without getting your forearm, thigh and inseam measurements, the odds are very slim your bike is going to be comfortable..
We pay a lot for quality e-bikes. We deserve not only a proper and free fitting, but the right bike for the job as well. You can have the right size bike and it can be properly fitted, but still not be right for your application.
If you are tiny, don’t buy a giant and heavy bike! I am swapping one this week for a young lady that needs to lift hers into her car (that’s expensive). I am selling two more because two e-bike fans accidentally purchased bikes with mid-step frames over which they could not lift they legs ($3000 shot).
If you are going on long rides, you cannot expect a tiny battery to push giant marshmallow tires and heavy off road suspensions too far. Most people ride on pavement, hard pack or pea gravel trails. They do not benefit from suspensions, big tires or heavy frames. A more traditional bike will handle better and be more comfortable.
Little things matter too. I have a friend who’s wife has a very nice, high end e-bike. Unfortunately, it is just too big for an inexperienced.cyclist to handle! More reasonable tires, smaller handgrips,, a shorter stem and shorter bars would make it much more manageable.
Most bikes even designated as “Women’s Specific (WSD or WSM),” utilize components designed for larger than average American males. A few minor part swaps and something totally inappropriate can be heaven. For instance, a hand grip, with a palm support, might feel great to a 6′ tall basketballer but hard to wrap fingers around for a typical 5’6″ person. I know, I’m a little guy and every bike I ride needs to be modified.
Just because the frame fits, the reach is not gaurenteed to be proper. My wife is a full inch or more taller than I. That’s when standing. She’s two inches shorter when seated (we do a lot of seated photo’s).
I recently met a man over 6’2″ with a shorter inseam than my 5’7″ wife. You can imagine how much she has to lean forward to reach her handlebars on most bikes.. Moving a seat forward enough moves her knee past the ball of her foot during the power portion of her stroke. That’s enough to damage a knee. We swap stems for $45 and no charge on new bikes or conversions. Do your knees hurt? Are your palms or privates numb, elbows sore or your neck stiff? Stop in for a proper fitting and ask yourself, why your provider sold you something so expensive that just doesn’t fit.
Can you imagine how wide the bars are on any frame that fits my wife? Anything 2″wider than your shoulders is going to be uncomfortable on rides of ten miles or more. You’ll have pain between your shoulder blades. Your elbows will tend to be locked, causing your outer two fingers to go numb on your dominant t side (we lean more than we realize).
Stop in some time. Try to stump me on what hurts and when. I’ll tell you what needs changing and how.