Sit up now and listen
Bike Love is a great podcast from Sydney's 2SER FM. This week's edition is a great discussion about the rise and rise in popularity of the 'site up' bicycle. She speaks to a few new converts to the 'dutch style or 'old school' bike and finds out what got them hooked.There are a few interesting points made but the one that mostly caught my attention is that they are not so hard on your hands and wrists because you are not putting a lot of weight onto a flat handlebars.
Listen to the Bike Love Podcast here
... and take a look at a site she recommends 'Beautiful Bicycles'
[Photo: Amsterdamize/ Flickr.com/ CC]
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wombat on -
Well, I don't get it personally, but SheRides is convinced the Repco Traveller she picked up is the best thing since wheels went round. I don't think one can ride anywhere near as fast on a sit up bike as you can on a lean over and pedal like crazy one, but that's just me. I guess if your aim is in enjoying the scenery rather than pedaling like crazy whilst your nose hairs are taken care of by the front wheel, then the Traveller may well be the duck's guts.
Anyway, if SheRides is happy, then I am happy!
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Permalink Reply by Doddsy on -
Got to tell you that im friends with the host of bike love and she definitely has more than one bike in her garage.
She'd have no issue using the upright for a spin on the veloway to mclaren vale.
compared to cycling in Sydney traffic mcvale is a walk in the park.
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Permalink Reply by Dahondude on -
Hey Angus, if you listen to the philosophy of Steve Hogg and are correctly set up on a bike, then you should be bearing no more weight on your arms/wrists on a road bike than on those groovy sit-up Dutch bikes. Its all about weight distribution. The lower/further away your handlebars. the more your bum/saddle needs to go backwards to act as a counterweight for the top half of your body. This is one of the main reasons why many roadbikers get aching arms/necks/wrists....their saddles are too far forward, feet too far back on their pedals and arms bearing too much weight. Set up properly you should be able to ride with your hands on any part of a road bike handlebar and take your hands off without feeling like you are falling forward.
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Permalink Reply by Wombat on
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Interesting... like the old trick that the Curiosity Show guys used to do with the question mark that they balanced on the edge of the table... counter balance. hmmm. Did Steve Hogg write a book about this or is it available on the web somewhere?
Very interested in reading up on this.
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Permalink Reply by Dahondude on
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I can post all his hints and tips here if you want. Ive got them in a Word doc somewhere. There is no copyright issues I think since I just pinched it all of stuff Steve has written on cyclingnews before. If you dont want to read it then you can buy his DVD called Sitting Pretty. I have been using Steve's approach for a few years and it has made a big difference to my comfort on the bike and ability to ride long hard miles without needing a wheelchair at the end
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
Very comprehensive Sam. Is that chapter 3 or 4 from your forthcoming book?
Personally I agree that those 'comfort' bikes look uncomfortable.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on -
Well I think no less of you Sam!
When I am writing long missives, I post write it up in word first then cut and paste it across - or you could use a real browser like Firefox with the spell check turned on ;-)
happy days
Jeremy
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Permalink Reply by Dahondude on
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Touche Sam, I hadnt considered the issue of frame geometry and I agree whole heartedly (sorry my spelling is all over the shop) that the slacker seat tube angle can make a huge difference. I think this is also why you can now buy "relaxed geometry" road bikes. The masses got sick of sore backs/necks etc and manufacturer's have realised that most people are willing to sacrifice a little in the frame geometry if it means that are more comfortable on the bike.
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