Three comfort zones

You touch your bike in three places: at the handlebars with your hands, at the saddle with your butt and at the pedals with your feet. If these points on the bike are in the right place, and of the right shape, you will be comfortable. If they’re not, you won’t.

Bike size A bike that is the wrong size will always be uncomfortable. Always test-ride before buying a new bike and get the shop to help you choose. Different bike manufacturers measure frames in different ways so you can’t assume that if one 18-inch bike fits you they all will. As a guide, stand over the bike with your feet flat on the floor. Lift up the seat and handlebars as far as you can. You should have 7–14cm (23⁄4–51⁄2 inches) clearance between the tyres and the ground. If you have to raise the seatpost above its safety mark to get enough leg extension, the frame is too small. When buying a new bike, don’t just check for frame height. Try different models to find one that also feels a…

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Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques (Digital) - 1 Issue, Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques 3rd Edition

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