[thegrudge101]

Well, today I finally bit the bullet and coughed up some real dough for a "beginners" bike. I know $500 doesnt get you much, but its all I had and I couldnt wait any longer to get on some roads/trails.

I bought a stock '07 Fisher Wahoo 19" with the disc brakes. So far I really like it, but I honestly have nothing to compare it to. I know I probably could have found something better for the money online (I have no really good LBS around here, so Trek store for me) but this will do. The only gripe so far is the seat is very rough on the ol' buttocks.

Anyways, anyone have some good beginning advice on setup/technique or things to watch out for before I do something that costs alot of money to fix? I only do road and very light trail riding right now

Thanks

Also, when riding relaxed I am in a position where my elbows are barely bent and almost on the verge of locking my elbows and straightening my arms. Does this mean Im too extended or this ust about the right position?

 

[Karupshun]

it sounds like your stem might be a tad long for you, you want your arms to have some bend at the elbow to help absorb shock

Seats come in all shapes, colors and flavors, they're easy to swap out. everyone gets a little saddle-sore in the start

The wahoo looks like a great intro bike, just don't beat the snot out of it and it should let you learn a lot

welcome to the forum!

 

[MillerSHO]

Get some bike shorts and try that seat.
Remember its going to take a bit to get your but used to holding so much weight in a smaller area on your arse.

Elbows slightly bent is pretty ideal.
Move your seat back or foward on the seat rails a tad to give a bit more elbow bend or not elbow bend. Try it out and see what you like better.

 

[HuffyMan]

I sore butt is totally normal. don't go trying new seats, etc untill youve ridded 3-4 times and the soreness goes away.

My gf has a Wahoo and she likes it a lot. I like it too, its a really nice and light frame.

 

[luvu2bleep]

i just started riding, and i got really into it for the first month, but i realized that doing 1000 ft of elevation within 1.4 miles as a beginner about every other day can burn you out. ride a variety of stuff.

oh yea, check the chain, don't over lube

 

[ricocpa]

Get some bike shorts and try that seat.
Remember its going to take a bit to get your but used to holding so much weight in a smaller area on your arse.

I totally agree with this statement. The first time I went out my a$$ hurt. I rode more, got myself some bike shorts, and now no more pain. :eekster:

 

[Spindelatron]

make sure you keep the tires nice and pressurized, flats suck and are usually because you hit an obstacle with insufficient pressure in the tire

 

[MOJO K]

Mountain Bike Like a Champion by Ned Overend is the only book I ever recomend on the topic, but it's so good that I always recomend it.

 

[PanicFan77]

Congrats! I got an 06' Gary Fisher Marlin in December...love it!

I second the riding shorts...the padding helps with the sore rear-end

 

[hahee]

wahoo

i got a gf wahoo as well a couple months ago and had the same issue with the bontrager saddle so i switched to a serfas rx performance saddle that is sleek and much much more comfortable....

also, switch the tires...the stock tires do not provide adequate traction. get a pair of panaracers, you'll notice the difference immediately.