Re: New Bikkel Bike - Enormous Wheels

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] says...
> 
> 
> David Kerber wrote:
> 
> > Experienced riders don't normally put their feet on the ground while
> > on the seat; they lift out of the seat and stand on the ground
> > straddling the bike until ready to ride again, then lift themselves
> > back into the seat once they are moving.  Are your knees bent while
> > pedaling on the older 26" bike?  I find it difficult to believe that
> > you could straighten your legs while pedaling and still put them on
> > the ground unless the bike had a very unusual geometry.
> 
> I don't think my knees were bent on the old bike, at any rate, they were much _less_
> bent, and it was possible to stand tip-toe to mount the bike. The whole setup was an 
> inch
> and a half closer to the ground. My balance isn't up to standing on pedals or 
> standing
> while moving. My method for mounting is to tip the bike way over so that the seat is 
> low
> enough to sit on, straighten to tip-toe and take off from there. If I had to get 
> clear
> off the bike at every traffic light I don't think I'd have much luck getting on it 
> again.

Your old bike must have had a much more laid-back seat post angle, 
putting your pedals more in front of you rather than under you as the 
new one is.  That is going to be a difficult situation to fix if you 
are completely unable to stand on the pedals for even a second or two 
as you come into a stop, which is what most riders do.  However, it 
will be easier to stand up on the new bike with the pedals more 
directly under your saddle than the old one was.

I would recommend keeping your seat low enough that you can feel 
safe; it will probably be hard on your knees, but IMO that's better 
than falling off the bike.  Then as you ride, try to learn to stand on 
the pedals and lift yourself off the seat as you approach a stop.  
Most people have a favored foot which is stopped at the bottom of 
its stroke, and then they stand on that pedal while they put the 
other foot on the ground.  Once you are comfortable doing that (and 
the reverse to get started again), you can put the seat back up where 
it should be for efficient pedaling and saving your knees.

-- 
Dave Kerber
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