One of the main reasons for not wanting to ride a bike is discomfort.  Whether it is wrist pain, neck and back pain or seat pain, any of these will make riding a bike about the last activity you'll want to do.  Since we specialize in comfort and hybrid bikes, making a bike more comfortable is one of our main goals.
 
There are 4 body parts that can hurt after riding a bike: hands, feet, seat and back.  Most issues tend to be eliminated with proper fit, but what if you fit well to your bike and still are experiencing pain?  Let's look at each area in detail.
 
Hands :  Although most of a rider's weight is on the seat, there is still about 20% of a rider's weight on their hands.  Raising the handlebar goes a long way towards lessening the amount of weight being shifted toward your hands.  Another solution is changing the handlebar grips to more of an ergonomic grip.  Ergonomic grips, like the one to the right, provide a larger surface area on which to spread out weight thus making for a more comfortable ride.  Gloves are another option since some contain gel in the palm to absorb shock.
 
Feet :  You can indeed ride your bike in an old pair of sneakers.  However, they contribute to foot pain since sneakers are soft and flexible and therefore will bend over the pedal and cause a pressure point on the bottom of your foot.  Consider a cycling shoe.  If you already use a shoe for spin class, consider a pair of clipless pedals for your comfort or hybrid bike.  The stiff sole of a cycling shoe is not only more efficient for even the most casual of riders, but will not flex over a pedal and cause a "hot spot" on the bottom of your foot.
 
Seat :  This is probably the most common area of pain for a rider and the one that is easiest to fix.  There are several ways to make a bike seat more comfortable.  If your seat is foam, switch to a gel seat.  Even if you have a moderately comfortable seat now, the issue may be in the angle of the seat or simply the seat height.  Bring your bike in to us to have it checked.  A seemingly "uncomfortable" seat may be just fine if it is adjusted to your body.  Check out or article in the July 2008 newsletter to learn more about proper seat adjustment.
 
Back :  Like hand pain, back pain can usually be attributed to your position on the bike.  Raising the handlebars not only reduces weight on your hands but also puts your back in a more upright position, thereby eliminating back pain.
 
For more information on proper fit and making your riding painless, stop by The Bicycle Wheel today!