Hello from a newbie.....and some advice needed please

andy753 wrote:

In the short term - while you decide on a new bike - try changing the handlebar grips to ones with more cushioning. Are you wearing gloves? Try investing in some gel gloves. Also, how much pressure do you have in your front wheel? 50psi should be your maximum I would think. Lastly, try rotating the bars slightly - rise bars can sometimes put your hands in strange positions - try loosening off the brake levers and shifters and experiment with different angles. Good luck!

Thanks for this advice Andy....but please read further up the thread

Thinner tyres seemed to have helped with my Bad Boy...a much smoother and swifter ride (26x1.5 at 85 PSI).

I've only given my new (used) Bianchi a couple of short rides out so far, just to get it set up and to sort out a few niggles. Think I'll also need to work on my technique to balance my weight more towards the rear of the bike and away from the bars. I believe this might have been part of my problem.

Super Domestique wrote:

There is always the n + 1 rule so meaning there is always room for one more bike!

Trust me

n + 1 rule applied and a 2012 Bianchi Nirone 7 is now on it's way.

I'll get my camera charged up for the pic thread

Guanajuato wrote:

My arms & wrists definitely get more tired on my MTB than my road bike.
Could be something as simple as your positioning on the bike, or the frame size too big/small? investigate that before shelling out. Unless of course you're wanting an excuse for t'other half.

Always good to have an excuse and I reckon that will do nicely. I might get the "Why do you need two then?" response though

dunnoh wrote:

I bought a Bianchi Impulso just before Christmas. Its got an Aluminium Frame and carbon forks and its ace. Really comfy. Make no mistake though, cycling still hurts but you do get used to it. I couldn't type for a few days after my first long ride and my backside still aches even now. That's after Assos shorts, Gore Gloves, comfy shoes blah blah blah. But its worth it.

As for being passed, so what, try and keep up. I get dropped all the time - this evening by a chap on a single speed in the ruddy peak district. However I did Blaze Hill the other week in one go. The first time I tried I stopped 15 times and nearly had a heart attack.

Get the best bike you can afford and go for it - just get used to other cyclists not waving or recognizing you until its winter!

Must admit I've been lusting over Bianchis these last few weeks. They look fantastic

I'm reasonably fit and in good shape for an old un, but I rode along chatting to an even older chap last week on his Trek roadie and I was struggling, while he was just breezing along. And most of the conversation was him pointing out all the reasons I should get a road bike

Meaulnes wrote:

Welcome along. This may be an obvious thing to say but do you have any gloves? Passed track mitts really do help to soak up the bumps and potholes, and are not to expensive. £30 will get you a pair that will last you for ages. ANd they'll stop you from grazing your palms to shreds should you ever come off the bike.

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes I always wear padded fingerless gloves for both these reasons. I've also tried various seat and bar positions, but has made no difference. Strangely I don't have this problem on my commute which is mostly railway walk/towpath.

I've got some spare time over the next few weeks, so I'm going to buy an old steel road bike and see how I fare with that.