First Ride, First Road Bike

COpedaler · 2 Weeks Ago

PB040517.jpgWell I picked up my new bike yesterday (Felt Z70), but is was too dark to take it out for a ride. I took it out this morning, what a blast. I went on a 30 mile ride, oops, too far too soon. My past experience is about 3 months on a Trek 7.3. Love the bike. What a sooth ride. The carbon parts (fork, seat stem, seat stays) really make a difference. Shifts like a dream. By the way, can someone explain "trimming". I figured out the rear derailleur and I think I have a good idea about the front derailleur, but I'm not 100% sure. The bike has 105s. I read the long post about the 105's, but there isn't anything mentioned about trimming (I think). I love being able to shift 3 sprockets at a time.

I did have one small issue: About 15 miles into the ride I begin to notice some lower back pain. Is this fairly normal as I get accustom to the switch from a hybrid to a road bike? My arms and shoulders were not sore at all which usually occurs when I rode over 20 miles on the Trek.

All in all; beautiful day, beautiful ride, love the bike.

zriggle · 2 Weeks Ago

Just because someone else will say it...
1) Take of the reflectors, buy lights.
2) Take off the plastic circle on the rear cogs

Aside from that, sheldon has all of your answers:
How to shift: link
Cycling pain: link
Why reflectors don't work: link (Also, everyone will laugh at you)

The "trim" function is there because the chain will hit the front derailleur in some extreme gear combinations (i.e. little-front little-rear, big-front big-rear). The "trim" lets you move the derailleur slightly without actually causing a shift up front, just to get it out of the way. Note that you'll never be able to use all of the gear combos, and you really shouldn't -- cross chaining is bad.

Another thing for the "back pain" might simply be a lack of core strength. You're using muscles your body isn't used to using. It might do you well to look up some core exercises -- almost all of them can be done at home, and are simple body-weight exercises (i.e. use absolutely nothing but your body).

Kevin_in_SB · 2 Weeks Ago

Congrats on your new bike. Take the reflectors off and get some pedals and you will enjoy it even more.

COpedaler · 2 Weeks Ago

OK, OK. The reflectors are now off. That explains why everyone was pointing at me.

The shoes and pedals will have to wait ($$$), but that will be the next purchase. Well, I better go do some push ups. Thanks for the advise.

Kevin_in_SB · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by COpedaler

OK, OK. The reflectors are now off. That explains why everyone was pointing at me.

The shoes and pedals will have to wait ($$$), but that will be the next purchase. Well, I better go do some push ups. Thanks for the advise.

Sounds good keep on riding it.

PJ352 · 2 Weeks Ago

Congrats on the new bike... very nice!!

Here's a link to address your lower back issues. Once there, scroll down to #5 (handlebar height).
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

Re: the trim function. When in doubt, go to the source:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830599845.pdf

Mr. Versatile · 2 Weeks Ago

Nice bike! You'll enjoy it more every day.

COpedaler · 2 Weeks Ago

[quote=zriggle]Just because someone else will say it...
1) Take of the reflectors, buy lights.
2) Take off the plastic circle on the rear cogs

How does one remove the plastic circle on the rear cogs, and what is it for?

A from Il · 2 Weeks Ago

[quote=COpedaler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zriggle

Just because someone else will say it...
1) Take of the reflectors, buy lights.
2) Take off the plastic circle on the rear cogs

How does one remove the plastic circle on the rear cogs, and what is it for?

Its really there to keep you from shifting the chain and rear derailleur into the spokes. That is practically impossible to do on a properly tuned and maintained bike. You can remove it with a pair of tin snips (easiest) or remove the cassette (easy if you have the tools) and pull it off that way.

Frankinnj · 2 Weeks Ago

Nice Bike, Happy Trails!!

Hank Stamper · 2 Weeks Ago

Sweet looking bike. Enjoy.

It might be the photo angle but it does look a bit aggressively set up for just starting out. That's not necessarily a problem for everyone but 15 miles isn't very far into a ride to be getting back pain so it could be.

Chances are your body will adapt eventually regardless......but it might be easier to go up on the handle bars a little then back down (as seen necessary) one spacer at a time as your body adapts. (unfortunately this process may require a stem change, but a flip may do it too)

That seemed to work well for me. I told the bike shop I was just some schmuck who'd never done this type of biking before. So they gave me the bike with the seat and bars close to level.....and as I realized my objective was more about speed I started lowering the bars very gradually. I never had any what I'd call "pain" but there was a little muscle fatigue on the first couple rides with each subsequent drop. So I'd have to guess I would have had plenty of pain if I started where I am now (which is about where your bike appears to be).

Tommy Walker · 2 Weeks Ago

Nice looking bike, I waqs very impressed with Felt when I was shopping. I thought their aluminum frame with Carbob Fork and Carbon Seat stays was so balanced.

Did you get fitted for the bike? Meaning they used a plumb bob and toyed around with positioning of the seat and may have even changed out the stem? The back pain could be what was aforementioned, but could also be the set up as well. If the bike shop you purchased the Felt from doesn't do an intense fitting, take it elsewhere and shell out a few more $$$ (about $60) for a proper fit. You may want to do this once you have selected your pedals and shoes. I know the cost are seeming to get up there, but it's better than back pain, plus with less money in your wallet that will also help because you will be carrying less weight.

Great bike, enjoy.

ROAD&DIRT · 2 Weeks Ago

Nice bike... enjoy the riding... It looks like the Seat is too high in comparision to bars for someone just sarting out, may need some adjustments (alittle at a time). Do some push-ups and sit ups to help your core strengthing

Tommy Walker · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROAD&DIRT

Nice bike... enjoy the riding... It looks like the Seat is too high in comparision to bars for someone just sarting out, may need some adjustments (alittle at a time). Do some push-ups and sit ups to help your core strengthing

Good observation, that could be part of the back pain; perhaps causing him to reach a little more for the handlebars and not being able to ride upright on top of the bars.

PJ352 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy Walker

Good observation, that could be part of the back pain; perhaps causing him to reach a little more for the handlebars and not being able to ride upright on top of the bars.

Lower back pain is more likely caused by excessive (for a given rider) saddle to bar drop than reach. Since saddle height is a constant, the stem angle would need to be adjusted up, preferably in small (.5 - 1 cm) increments.

True, upward stem adjustments also bring the bars closer to the rider, but only by a few mm's per degree of angle adjustment.

Example: With a 73 degree head tube angle, a 100 mm, -6 degree stem with 30 mm's of spacers flipped up (+6) would bring the bars 6 mm's closer and add 20 mm's to bar height.

COpedaler · 2 Weeks Ago

Thanks for all of the advise. I do appreciate it. I did get fitted at the big shop. It actually took a little over an hour. These are a few things I was told. 1) The Felt Z series of bikes are less aggressive then the average bike. Height wise I would possible fit a 56 bike, but reach wise they felt I should be in a 54 (I am 5' 10"). 2) saddle to bar drop is 1 1/2 inches which I was told is more then acceptable. 3) they are willing to change the stem, but they wanted me to ride it for a while and report back to them any issues. I don't believe this to be an issue, yet. After all, it is just one ride. Do the things the LBS said make sense? Oh, and the stem is already angling up so wouldn't reversing the stem make the situation worse?

PJ352 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by COpedaler

Thanks for all of the advise. I do appreciate it. I did get fitted at the big shop. It actually took a little over an hour. These are a few things I was told. 1) The Felt Z series of bikes are less aggressive then the average bike. Height wise I would possible fit a 56 bike, but reach wise they felt I should be in a 54 (I am 5' 10"). 2) saddle to bar drop is 1 1/2 inches which I was told is more then acceptable. 3) they are willing to change the stem, but they wanted me to ride it for a while and report back to them any issues. I don't believe this to be an issue, yet. After all, it is just one ride. Do the things the LBS said make sense? Oh, and the stem is already angling up so wouldn't reversing the stem make the situation worse?

Considering the LBS fitter has worked with you one on one and we haven't, IMO s/he gets the benefit of the doubt on the sizing issue (2nd part of #1). I'm not sure I'd say the 'Z' series is less aggressive than the average bike (what's average?), but it's normally categorized as having relaxed geo.

RE: 1.5" saddle to bar drop being 'more than acceptable', I'd say that's a subjective remark. Again, the fitter worked with you for an hour, so if flexibility was tested, then at some point there was a judgement call made that you could tolerate that drop, and you may. As you say, it's just one ride that you experienced the back pain, so between doing some exercises/ stretches and becoming more accustomed to the riding position, you may be fine. Also, it being an initial fit, I can understand the fitter suggesting giving it a little time before tweaking fit.

Lastly, if the stem is already 'angled up', you'd have to replace it to get a higher rise. Not a big deal and your LBS seems willing, so consider it an option if the lower back pain continues.

TiCruiser · 2 Weeks Ago

I wouldn't get overly concerned about the lower back pain (It doesn't sound like it was overly severe) until you've logged some miles. Even with a perfect fitting bike, when I'm on a longer ride off-season, lower back pain is a sign for me I'm starting to get tired. I have found the core exercises zriggle mentioned to be very helpful. If, once you are riding fairly regularly and the back pain is still kicking in around the first 15-20 miles, it's probably time to talk to the shop about adjusting the fit.