5 Tips to Keep you Comfortable on Your Bike

Long climbs, burning lungs, and tired legs. There are plenty of reasons to feel discomfort when you’re on your bike. But the bike itself shouldn't be one of them. So whether you are just getting started riding or want to get stronger read below for some tips on how to make your bike more comfortable and don't let yourself be held back by an uncomfortable bike.

Not every bike is created equal and not every bike will suit the type of riding that you want to do. You wouldn’t go hiking in high heels and much like shoes certain bikes are made for certain purposes. 

Sure some bikes are more versatile than others but even they have their limits. Yes, you can ride a full-suspension mountain bike on the road, but, depending on what you’re looking for, you’d probably have a better time on a bike that is designed with paved surface riding in mind.

So sit down and take some time to think about what you want to do with your bike. Do you want to cruise around your neighborhood and local greenways, do you want to put in big miles on the road, do you see yourself shredding technical single track through the woods, or do you want to compete in races and go as fast as you can? Based on your answer our knowledgeable staff can assist you in narrowing down our selection to find the bike for you.

If you already have a bike that you are realizing isn’t the best option for the type of riding you want to do. We can make an appointment to consider a potential trade-in to get you on something better suited for you.

Fit, fit, fit:

Once you’ve figured out what kind of bike will work best for the type of riding you want to do it’s time to sit on some and find what fits you best. Many of the complaints we hear about discomfort on the bike come down to simply being on an ill-fitting bike. 

Sizing on bikes can be trickier than one might think. Two people the same exact height could be riding the same bike in two different sizes depending on what fits their body more comfortably. The best solution set an appointment with us at First Flight and we’ll work with you one on one to find the perfect bike for what you want to do that is also fitted to you. Our staff is all trained in basic bike fitting procedures and every bike that leaves our shop will have saddle height set for you and we will check reach and other key parts of fitting a bike.

Looking to get even deeper into your fit? Consider scheduling an appointment with a professional bike fitter, we have connections with several great bike fitters in the area and can get you set up.

Be Mindful of Your Touch Points (especially your saddle):

Now that we have a bike that fits us and does what we want, we’ll focus on our hands, feet, and, of course, rear end. These are the parts of your body that actually come into contact with the bike, otherwise known as touch points. Manufacturers tend to send their bikes with basic stock touch points and for the most part, these are not going to be what suits you best. Fortunately, all of these items are very easy to upgrade and change to something that’ll work better for you. Ergonomic grips, thicker bar tape, and different styles of pedals and saddles all exist for a reason.

“But how do I know what will work for me?” Most cycling companies understand that it can be a bit of a guessing game to figure out what will be most comfortable for your body for you, especially when it comes to saddles. That’s why most reputable companies that make saddles (the ones we carry) offer comfort guarantees where if you find out after a few rides within a specified time period that that saddle isn’t for you you can switch it to try a different model of theirs. 

Most performance-focused saddles are offered in different sizes which takes out some of the guesswork. The goal of the saddle is to support your skeletal structure, not your soft tissue. Therefore more squish does not necessarily equal more comfort depending on the type of riding you are doing.  

But even with knowing the size saddle you should fit you still have to take into account what shape would work with your unique anatomy. The more information you can give us on the specific discomfort you’re feeling the better we can guide you toward a saddle that can work for you, so don’t hold back, we’ve heard it all.

Wear Appropriate Attire:

If you’re looking to go further and go longer on your bike or to just be more comfortable in general appropriate attire will go a long way. 

Breathable and quick-drying materials cut down on chafing and keep you cooler and the tighter cuts will keep you moving more comfortably when on the bike. 

No matter what type of riding you do a nice pair of padded shorts is one of the best investments you can make. 

Ride more:

That’s it, just spend more time on the bike. Your body can’t get used to it if you aren’t on it. Get out and ride. Focus on your body and how it feels. Identify and address problem areas and get everything dialed in and eventually you won't even notice your bike.

Conclusion:

To wrap all of this up for you. Choosing a new bike or making your current bike work better for you, can be a daunting task. These tips will certainly get you on the right path but at the end of the day the best solution, schedule an appointment with us at First Flight we can give you our expert advice that comes from our years of experience, personal and professional, of how to make your experience on your bike more enjoyable.