3 months back in the game - An interim report
Discussion
I've been back riding around 3 months after being out of cycling for about 5 years. I'm getting out most weekends for a loop of local bridleways / forest. It's great.
Invested in a mid range Spesh Hardrock which so far has been great. In hindsight, I wish I'd commited a little more money as upgrades are on the horizon (forks and brakes are my priority). However, I wasn't sure if my new hobby would be sidelined and forgotten, leaving me with a £1000 toy I never used. Overall, I'm not disappointed in my decision. Better safe than sorry!
A few points though. I read that it takes a while to get your rear used to the saddle. 3 months have gone by and I'm still suffering. Did a 25 miler last Saturday, went out this morning (a week later) and it was still sore. I think that the standard Specialized saddle that comes on the hardrock just isn't for me. Any suggestions?
The fork on the bike is dire. Suntour something or other. Even cruising on the bridleways you can tell it's cheap and nasty. I've had Marzocchi forks in the past. I love the Z4 air I once had. Not sure if it would be suitable for what I need but my god, it must be better than these. 80mm travel seems a little bit short and not natural, even for light terrain. Upgrade on the horizon.
I'll get a set of Avid Juicy's (or similar) on the stopping side of things. Any advice there?
My biggest gripe though is the riding position. It feels good, and the best of the bikes I tried, but after 10+ miles, it aches. I'm tall so the seat is up high. The bike has a low rise stem and low rise bars which makes things worse. Tempted for a set of Easton high-rise bars. Do you think this will sort things out for me? The additional travel on the forks (20mm possibly) may also help out.
Overall though, I'm glad to have gotten back into riding. Been toying with the idea for a while and took me ages to actually pull the trigger on a new bike. Been the best money I've spent in a while. being back outdoors is great!
Thanks for all the previous and future advice I have had from this forum. Help me make some crucial decisions!
Invested in a mid range Spesh Hardrock which so far has been great. In hindsight, I wish I'd commited a little more money as upgrades are on the horizon (forks and brakes are my priority). However, I wasn't sure if my new hobby would be sidelined and forgotten, leaving me with a £1000 toy I never used. Overall, I'm not disappointed in my decision. Better safe than sorry!
A few points though. I read that it takes a while to get your rear used to the saddle. 3 months have gone by and I'm still suffering. Did a 25 miler last Saturday, went out this morning (a week later) and it was still sore. I think that the standard Specialized saddle that comes on the hardrock just isn't for me. Any suggestions?
The fork on the bike is dire. Suntour something or other. Even cruising on the bridleways you can tell it's cheap and nasty. I've had Marzocchi forks in the past. I love the Z4 air I once had. Not sure if it would be suitable for what I need but my god, it must be better than these. 80mm travel seems a little bit short and not natural, even for light terrain. Upgrade on the horizon.
I'll get a set of Avid Juicy's (or similar) on the stopping side of things. Any advice there?
My biggest gripe though is the riding position. It feels good, and the best of the bikes I tried, but after 10+ miles, it aches. I'm tall so the seat is up high. The bike has a low rise stem and low rise bars which makes things worse. Tempted for a set of Easton high-rise bars. Do you think this will sort things out for me? The additional travel on the forks (20mm possibly) may also help out.
Overall though, I'm glad to have gotten back into riding. Been toying with the idea for a while and took me ages to actually pull the trigger on a new bike. Been the best money I've spent in a while. being back outdoors is great!
Thanks for all the previous and future advice I have had from this forum. Help me make some crucial decisions!
Only a suggestion but have you considered selling the bike?
It sounds like there is a lot that you are keen to change. For a specialized hardrock that's only 3 months old with all the advertised purchase receipts and owners book i bet you'd get a decent price i.e. only lose £100-£200 off the original purchase price. You could then buy a new bike with the spec you want... Put any losses down to the fact that you didn't want to invest too much at first incase you didn't take to biking again.
You'd end up with a shiny new bike... always pleasing and I bet the end cost wouldn't be too different compared with buying various new parts, especially as you'd be left with a totally new bike.
Only a suggestion...
It sounds like there is a lot that you are keen to change. For a specialized hardrock that's only 3 months old with all the advertised purchase receipts and owners book i bet you'd get a decent price i.e. only lose £100-£200 off the original purchase price. You could then buy a new bike with the spec you want... Put any losses down to the fact that you didn't want to invest too much at first incase you didn't take to biking again.
You'd end up with a shiny new bike... always pleasing and I bet the end cost wouldn't be too different compared with buying various new parts, especially as you'd be left with a totally new bike.
Only a suggestion...
Progressive said:
I read that it takes a while to get your rear used to the saddle. 3 months have gone by and I'm still suffering.
Re the saddle, I have an '05 Stumpjumper and the saddle it came with was like a razor blade. I have swapped it three times for other Specialized models, none of which were any better.Finally, I bit the bullet and bought a Fizik Gobi XM, having seen them specced as standard on a few top-end bikes I've been considering.
It's a revelation - worth every one of the 85 pounds I paid. In fact, it's so comfortable I've even sidelined talk of a new bike, although as that seems to be a recurring conversation perhaps you shouldn't read too much into it
Anyhow, I would recommend the Fizik Gobi for a good few comfortable hours in the saddle.
Gnarlybluesurf said:
Only a suggestion but have you considered selling the bike?
I have definately considered this option. I think I would be able to recoup most of the cost. It's a 2010 bike so it's still 'in'. That said, I would struggle on what to get to replace it. The frame and drivetrain are excellent and used right up through the range. Upgrading the forks and brakes (and a couple) of other small items would give me exactly what I'm looking for so I may stick with it.
I know how you're feeling, took my an AGE to get used to the saddle on my Endruo (I guess all Spesh OE saddles are much of a muchness) but oddly after I did it's the most comfy seat I use (on a bike) I'd guess I've got a saddle shaped dent in my 'arris.
I've just started riding again after 8 months out with injury, thankfully it only took a few rides to get my arse back.
Where are you getting the pain, if you're doubled over with the seat sailing in the wind at the end of it's range, you probably need a bigger frame. If it's there or there abouts and the pain is in your lower back it's usually your core muscles. If you've not rode for years they wont be used to it, I had terrible trouble with it, as your ride gets longer your core has to let up and you back muscles have to hold your torso and you get the pain. I used to do 20 or some crunches before bed every night and the pain went within days and never came back.
As for selling your bike and buying a better spec one, might be the answer.
Upgrades I recomend some Marzocchi MX Pro Lo's, in 100mm flavour (check, your frame might be fine with 120's if you prefer) They're simple, reliable, fit-and-forget air sprung classics. A different league to your current forks (aka spring in a tube) and don't cost the earth. I had a set years ago and the rebound had to be adjusted with a long stick thing and you had to let all the air out first, not ideal on the trailside, but I think they're adjustable on the fly now.
So might also find that with the wheel better conected to the ground your brakes work better, or you could up the stopping power with a bigger front rotor. Failing that Juicy's are great. Have a look on Merlin Cycles' site, they constanty seem to habe Avid stoppers on special.
But if you're hankering after some super trick Fox forks and Hope Tech V's et al, I'd probably change the bike instead.
I've just started riding again after 8 months out with injury, thankfully it only took a few rides to get my arse back.
Where are you getting the pain, if you're doubled over with the seat sailing in the wind at the end of it's range, you probably need a bigger frame. If it's there or there abouts and the pain is in your lower back it's usually your core muscles. If you've not rode for years they wont be used to it, I had terrible trouble with it, as your ride gets longer your core has to let up and you back muscles have to hold your torso and you get the pain. I used to do 20 or some crunches before bed every night and the pain went within days and never came back.
As for selling your bike and buying a better spec one, might be the answer.
Upgrades I recomend some Marzocchi MX Pro Lo's, in 100mm flavour (check, your frame might be fine with 120's if you prefer) They're simple, reliable, fit-and-forget air sprung classics. A different league to your current forks (aka spring in a tube) and don't cost the earth. I had a set years ago and the rebound had to be adjusted with a long stick thing and you had to let all the air out first, not ideal on the trailside, but I think they're adjustable on the fly now.
So might also find that with the wheel better conected to the ground your brakes work better, or you could up the stopping power with a bigger front rotor. Failing that Juicy's are great. Have a look on Merlin Cycles' site, they constanty seem to habe Avid stoppers on special.
But if you're hankering after some super trick Fox forks and Hope Tech V's et al, I'd probably change the bike instead.
Edited by P-Jay on Saturday 6th March 15:04
I, too, took the plunge and got back in the saddle recently. I had been out of it for 7 or 8 years and have now hit it fairly hard, building up to a 38 mile ride to work this week - which I am pretty pleased with.
On the saddle issue I have found the pain has pretty much gone now, although it has taken 20 or so long rides for my arse to get used to it. I did not even consider a new saddle, but sought to 'ride it out'. One issue that I still have is 'rubs' rather than a painful arse, which I assume I will have to ride out as well.
I ride hybrids, one mountain bike based and one tourer based, and have been using the tourer, and had not questioned the riding position, just assumed it was right from years ago. And then went out on the MB one day and cruised it - it was much better and comfortable. So after speaking to some lads about positions I moved the seat slightly further back and generally tried to match the set up on the MB, although it still appears that I am still too close to the bars and cannot move them further forward or the seat back. So on set up I think a lot of trial and error is needed, or something radical is needed as suggested by someone else - move on. I am wondering whether I need to move the headset forwards - but more cost...
Its great backing in to it though, isn't it. Never thought I would say this, but I can't wait for a ride out on Sat, and this is in direct competition with the new motor !
On the saddle issue I have found the pain has pretty much gone now, although it has taken 20 or so long rides for my arse to get used to it. I did not even consider a new saddle, but sought to 'ride it out'. One issue that I still have is 'rubs' rather than a painful arse, which I assume I will have to ride out as well.
I ride hybrids, one mountain bike based and one tourer based, and have been using the tourer, and had not questioned the riding position, just assumed it was right from years ago. And then went out on the MB one day and cruised it - it was much better and comfortable. So after speaking to some lads about positions I moved the seat slightly further back and generally tried to match the set up on the MB, although it still appears that I am still too close to the bars and cannot move them further forward or the seat back. So on set up I think a lot of trial and error is needed, or something radical is needed as suggested by someone else - move on. I am wondering whether I need to move the headset forwards - but more cost...
Its great backing in to it though, isn't it. Never thought I would say this, but I can't wait for a ride out on Sat, and this is in direct competition with the new motor !
Edited by Small Car on Thursday 11th March 19:08
Small Car said:
I am wondering whether I need to move the headset forwards - but more cost...
A new stem which adds an inch or two can make a big difference. They're not too expensive.When I switched from a Trek to a Diamondback I realised that I missed the longer top tube that the Trek had. So I moved the saddle right back and put a longer stem on. Job done.
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