Riding postion is it significantly important?

[John5001]

Suspicious that my Sciatica attack coincided with the purchase of a new bike. It is a different riding position, but fellow cyclists think my riding style is too up right.

Saddle seems high but I can touch the ground with my feet which is right I think. Any opinions?

 

[argoose]

saddle too low. when sat on bike with heel on pedal, when pedal at lowest position leg should be almost straight. If not it would be like walking with knees permanently bent ( squatting ).
Try walking as though you are about to sit down. This is how you are pedalling now.
Or try this :

http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/saddle-height

 

[Danidl]

Suspicious that my Sciatica attack coincided with the purchase of a new bike. It is a different riding position, but fellow cyclists think my riding style is too up right.

Saddle seems high but I can touch the ground with my feet which is right I think. Any opinions?

The saddle is only part of it, what is the angle of your back,. But your primary question, does stance matter? Yes.
The old style sit up and beg , is probably the most comfortable, but has the worst air resistance, the more horizontal puts more stress on the arms. Mind you those recumbent bikes that you ride while lieing down are probably the most comfortable..
My understanding is that one foot on the ground with , the bike at an angle of 20 degrees off vertical , while sitting on the saddle is about right.
If your saddle was not pointing in line , with the frame, this will put strain on the back..

 

[John5001]

An extended ride in the wrong position, I have just read can, after a few months finish your cycling for good.

Had physio and told to try and get back to cycling. But really important to get it right!!

 

[Neilgriff]

Dutch bikes, Oma and opa fiets have a very upright position with little weight forward on the handle bars. With pedal at the highest point, leg from knee to thigh should just be under horizontal. Back is almost straight. I have a Batavia Old Dutch and it is great to ride.

Must work as you see lots of people in their 80’s cycling.

 

[awol]

I got told in a bike shop that as a rough frame size guide, when you look down at the front axle it should be seen at aprox the middle of the stem or atleast within the stem area.
This might help -

or if you have an original bike which was comfortable then this might help to transfer the positions from one bike to another -

 

[Robbieg]

Suspicious that my Sciatica attack coincided with the purchase of a new bike. It is a different riding position, but fellow cyclists think my riding style is too up right.

Saddle seems high but I can touch the ground with my feet which is right I think. Any opinions?

Hi John, don't know where people gets the idea from that riders need to touch the ground while sat on the saddle, your sciatic pain is almost certainly due to wrong saddle height. Algoose is right in what he says. Your position on the bike is very important, if you're comfortable on the bike you will ride for longer, the correct saddle height and length of stem is crucial for most efficient pedaling. Best to experiment to get it right and hopefully the sciatic pain will disappear.

 

[Neilgriff]

It’s a convenience thing. Most people in Holland (despite their height) jump off the seat when stopped to touch the ground.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Voila! No more sore bum or back pain

 

[Ocsid]

View attachment 22302
Voila! No more sore bum or back pain

But does the pain not simply move to your wallet?

 

[anotherkiwi]

A little bit once a month...

 

[grldtnr]

View attachment 22302
Voila! No more sore bum or back pain

Is that the AZUB trike, Kiwi?

 

[grldtnr]

But does the pain not simply move to your wallet?

Let's put that in prospective , you roughly paying the same as for a good Pedelec,
And as for the fun....they will have to surgically remove your smile!

 

[anotherkiwi]

Is that the AZUB trike, Kiwi?

No that is the rear suspension AZUB Tricon I have the T-Tris entry level model with no suspension. I would love a pinion gearbox on the front though and a Q100H in the rear wheel... With Big Bens I haven't felt the need for rear suspension and I have been some pretty rough places, at speed... The difference with the stock go fast tyres is substantial and you actually go faster because you aren't worried about blow outs or bent rims.

When I get the motor in I'll get some photos of mine posted on the "I'm bent!" thread.

 

[grldtnr]

No that is the rear suspension AZUB Tricon I have the T-Tris entry level model with no suspension. I would love a pinion gearbox on the front though and a Q100H in the rear wheel... With Big Bens I haven't felt the need for rear suspension and I have been some pretty rough places, at speed... The difference with the stock go fast tyres is substantial and you actually go faster because you aren't worried about blow outs or bent rims.

When I get the motor in I'll get some photos of mine posted on the "I'm bent!" thread.

 

[grldtnr]

So you are 'bent too, Kiwi? I have been of and on for about 20 years, recently bought a 2nd hand Optima rider, since my classic Pete Rose trice broke, the Trice was great fun to ride, but engineered poorly.

The Dutch Optima Rider, built in Stainless steel, is heavier, but isn't as sporty a the Trice.
So thinking of the Azub, but no local dealers, so to the continent to try one, France ,Belgium or even Czech republic trial one.

 

[anotherkiwi]

So you are 'bent too, Kiwi? I have been of and on for about 20 years, recently bought a 2nd hand Optima rider, since my classic Pete Rose trice broke, the Trice was great fun to ride, but engineered poorly.

The Dutch Optima Rider, built in Stainless steel, is heavier, but isn't as sporty a the Trice.
So thinking of the Azub, but no local dealers, so to the continent to try one, France ,Belgium or even Czech republic trial one.

All the details are here.

I read a lot. I felt inside that this was for me and am not disappointed. I had been on a Gekko once in S. Sebastian and the AZUB is just as well built for 500€ less (delivered). No trial just a gut instinct that a company having won bent rider's "trike of the year" twice in a row probably made a good trike.

The surprise is that I can now ride places which were impossible for me unassisted on an old school upright bike.

What is disappointing is that downhills are suddenly so much shorter, shame because they are so much fun!