I've done it all wrong! Do I start again?

[Davanti]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Its been the story of my life; I leap in with both feet without doing any preparatory work. If only I had heeded the advice of you, the forum members; particularly 'Try out as many bikes as you can'. The first e-bike I rode was the one I bought ... after delivery! How stupid is that?

Don't get me wrong. The Wisper 905sel is really, really brilliant. BUT ... I'm too little for it

One of the on-line cycle shops has a superb piece on sizing. I fell at the first hurdle; CLEARANCE ! I don't have sufficient 'clearance' to stand astride the bike with both feet on the ground. I've 'got away with it' so far by pushing off with one foot on the LH pedal and then swinging my leg over as the bike gains momentum. A few wobbles and then I'm away! To dismount is more tricky. When I brake, I lean over to the left to reach the ground with my left foot and then swing my right leg over.

All this has been fine and I've really been enjoying myself; hence the Electric Smile! BUT, it is apparent that because I have the seat as low as possible (to facilitate the leg-over dismount) my legs do not fully extend as I pedal.

It seems to me that my saddle needs to be higher (to give the correct 'reach' with my legs) and the 'crossbar' lower to give me clearance. Is a step-through the only answer?

Seriously Embarrassed (and not so )

Don

 

[jazper53]

I must admit i have a similar situation, but I dont regard it as a problem, most ordinary bikes I have owned, I have had to tip-toe on one foot to make contact with the ground and well used to the position.

 

[Davanti]

I must admit i have a similar situation, but I dont regard it as a problem, most ordinary bikes I have owned, I have had to tip-toe on one foot to make contact with the ground and well used to the position.

Reassuring!!! I might just raise the the saddle a teeny teeny bit; then see how I get on (literally).

Thanks, jazper53

Don

 

[flecc]

Same for me Davanti, best to just get used to it. Only the tall and long legged really get the best fit on conventional crossbar bikes. For the rest of us it's best to ride with the setup for best pedalling advantage and just do the best we can to cope with stopped situations.

N.B. Crossed with your response to Jazper.

 

[Davanti]

Same for me Davanti, best to just get used to it. Only the tall and long legged really get the best fit on conventional crossbar bikes. For the rest of us it's best to ride with the setup for best pedalling advantage and just do the best we can to cope with stopped situations.

N.B. Crossed with your response to Jazper.

Phew! Isn't it good to know one is not the only one! Many thanks for that, flecc ... Saddle Up! (As we say in the cavalry)

Have a good day!

Don

 

[Davanti]

Same for me Davanti, best to just get used to it. Only the tall and long legged really get the best fit on conventional crossbar bikes. For the rest of us it's best to ride with the setup for best pedalling advantage and just do the best we can to cope with stopped situations.

N.B. Crossed with your response to Jazper.

Got the answer ... position one of these at each of my start/stop locations!

Guidecraft Sweetie Pie Storage Step Up Stool: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

Every Traffic Light junction should have one!

 

[jazper53]

Maybe a walking stick attached to the crossbar with a quick release system to support your balance while stationary, but taking off again is going to be tricky will require practice

 

[flecc]

Maybe, though a short 2" or 3" swivelling propstand on the outside edge of the left shoe would be best. Could have light spring actuation so that when there's the foot weight on the pedal the stand is up and pointing rearwards but swivels down 90 degrees when the foot is taken off the pedal.

There's a fortune to be made from all the short cyclists out there for the first to market with this!

 

[indalo]

It seems to me that my saddle needs to be higher (to give the correct 'reach' with my legs) and the 'crossbar' lower to give me clearance. Is a step-through the only answer?
Don

It's a common problem I think Don and I said as much in a post very recently:

While we can all adjust our body posture somewhat to suit the geometry of a particular bike and most ebikes have a fair bit of adjustability, actually having something which feels just right makes for a more pleasurable cycling experience.

Certainly, a step-thru offers some help but the real answer lies in the fact that some manufacturers produce a good range of frame sizes whereas others only do a one-size-fits-all bike or maybe two frame sizes at best.

As Flecc has suggested, we sometimes need to make compromises.

Indalo

 

[Davanti]

... Certainly, a step-thru offers some help but the real answer lies in the fact that some manufacturers produce a good range of frame sizes whereas others only do a one-size-fits-all bike or maybe two frame sizes at best....

Indalo

Cycle manufacturers ... please note!

 

[Kudoscycles]

Hi guys,we did take note hence the new Kudos Safari bike was specifically designed as a unisex styled step thru for smaller people. The prototype is with us and on show at the shows,production bikes by the end of June.
It is strange that most of these bikes come from China a country generally of smaller people especially the girls and yet the frame sizes are mainly suited to taller German or Dutch people,I suspect the volumes in those countries.
The Safari was designed with 2 frame sizes,43cm (suit 4'10 to 5'4) and 48cm(suit 5'2 to 5'10) ,the crossover according to leg length. It is a comfort bike with fat tyres,suspension forks n saddle,nexus 8 speed hub. Full spec available from Kudos,price about £1100.00
Available black,white or silver.
Hope that helps smaller riders.
Dave
Kudoscycles

 

[Davanti]

Hope that helps smaller riders.
Dave
Kudoscycles

Thanks Dave ... encouraging! Do cycles ever come as 'basic' with the customer able to choose 'options', as when purchasing a new motor car? E.G. I would like derailleur gears with rear hub motor and may be a choice of braking systems (hydraulic disc for instance). What about dealer fitted accessories? EG Computer. Cost is not an issue if I can find the right bike for my size with all the bells and whistles of choice!

Thanks again

Don

PS I will have a look at the new Safari model when it is available.

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Don
We build bikes to order and have a range of options for each in our range. If you have a look at our site you will see a "Choose Yours" section for each bike, that presents a menu for upgrades and options, like hydraulic brakes, handlebar types, forks and batteries.

 

[Davanti]

Hi Don
We build bikes to order and have a range of options for each in our range. If you have a look at our site you will see a "Choose Yours" section for each bike, that presents a menu for upgrades and options, like hydraulic brakes, handlebar types, forks and batteries.

Thanks, Bob! Rhetorical question for me ... why didn't I know that?

 

[Davanti]

Thanks, Bob! Rhetorical question for me ... why didn't I know that?

Hey, Bob. Just visited your site ... realised I had visited it a couple of days ago.

Don

 

[JuicyBike]

Here you go Don...

 

[Davanti]

Here you go Don...
View attachment 3729

Thanks, Bob

 

[Woosh]

Maybe a walking stick attached to the crossbar with a quick release system to support your balance while stationary, but taking off again is going to be tricky will require practice

You should wear stiletto heels all of you!

 

[Davanti]

You should wear stiletto heels all of you!

I do! But only at weekends ... oh! It is the weekend!

Donna

 

[shemozzle999]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Its been the story of my life; I leap in with both feet without doing any preparatory work. If only I had heeded the advice of you, the forum members; particularly 'Try out as many bikes as you can'. The first e-bike I rode was the one I bought ... after delivery! How stupid is that?

Don't get me wrong. The Wisper 905sel is really, really brilliant. BUT ... I'm too little for it

One of the on-line cycle shops has a superb piece on sizing. I fell at the first hurdle; CLEARANCE ! I don't have sufficient 'clearance' to stand astride the bike with both feet on the ground. I've 'got away with it' so far by pushing off with one foot on the LH pedal and then swinging my leg over as the bike gains momentum. A few wobbles and then I'm away! To dismount is more tricky. When I brake, I lean over to the left to reach the ground with my left foot and then swing my right leg over.

All this has been fine and I've really been enjoying myself; hence the Electric Smile! BUT, it is apparent that because I have the seat as low as possible (to facilitate the leg-over dismount) my legs do not fully extend as I pedal.

It seems to me that my saddle needs to be higher (to give the correct 'reach' with my legs) and the 'crossbar' lower to give me clearance. Is a step-through the only answer?

Seriously Embarrassed (and not so )

Don

Do you want to direct swop it for my 705eco Davanti? its a bit small for me