Road bike, can I trade it in for something I like?!?

alwaysbloated

I got a bike earlier in the year. It was expensive. I've barely used it because...

-the helmet that came with the bike was giving me really sharp pains in my head and migraines
-the seat is too high up and can't be adjusted any lower (they wouldn't give me a lower bike because they said I was too tall, but I think they really meant "too heavy")
-the seat is extremely uncomfortable. I've tried using it a few times and it never gets better. We've brought a new seat, different covers and I've brought bike shorts but nothing helps. My sister used to have a really comfortable bike several years ago but I think we sold it :-(
-The bike wobbles over the road, I have trouble with balance on it, maybe something a bit thicker/heavier would work better?

I'm wondering if I can swap it for something else, because it's been less than a year since I got it, and I've barely used it due to discomfort. Might be willing to pay the difference for something I like. Would be happy to get something closer to the ground with a nicer seat, because if my weight damaged the tires, I would just get the tires fixed/replaced once I had lost enough weight to use the bike as it was designed.

Help?

Bike was designed to use off road, over grass, over uneven surfaces, or just as an all purpose bike. I wanted one of those pretty bikes with a basket, but the main purpose was to go off road with my dogs and give them a good run. Ended up attaching my own basket to it.

aokoye

Where did you buy your bike? Either way, the answer is effectively no, you are very unlikely to be able to trade in your bike for the amount that you paid for it. Bikes depreciate in value pretty quickly regardless of how much or little it's been ridden.

The helmet issue is really a non-issue all things considered. You can get a new helmet (and you most definitely can't trade that in).

In terms of the seat post being too high, how easy are you able to put a foot down and how straight is your leg when the pedal is at six o'clock? (figuratively). In terms of the saddle - that's an issue that quite a lot, if not most, people face period. It can take a very long time to find a comfortable saddle and riding a few times typically isn't enough to get an idea of whether or not a saddle will work (yes I realize this is frustrating, trust me I do).

In terms of the bike wobbling, I would take your bike to a shop and have them check if the wheels are true. Do you have balance issues on other bikes that you've ridden?

Also what type of bike did you actually end up buying (brand and model perhaps). Your title makes it sound like you bought a road bike but then your last paragraph says:

Bike was designed to use off road, over grass, over uneven surfaces, or just as an all purpose bike.

Did you end up getting a cyclocross or gravel bike? Those are the only types of bike that I could see being easily confused with a road bike.

Also were you planning on going on trails with your dogs unleashed? If so it would behoove you to check if that's legal in your area.

2baninja

Well I have no bike to trade with you, but I'm curious on the "wobbles all over the road". There are only 2 reasons why it should be so wobbly, you're unsure of things so you are going very slowly, or there is something wrong with the bike.

Personally, I would take the bike back to where you bought it from, talk to the manager and tell him that they sold you a bike that is too big for you and that there is something wrong with it, (assuming it's not you riding to slowly).
The helmet is an easy fix, buy a new one, I've never heard of a bike coming with a helmet before, unless it was used and you bought it from a private person.

Another option is to take it to a real bike shop, not where you bought it from, and ask them for advice.

I have a hybrid bike, I can ride it on the road and the trails, (nothing to rough), it's nice on the trails, rather slow and clunky on the road, but it suits me. The last time I took my bike in for servicing, they left the seat higher then I had it, at first I didn't like it because I could no longer reach the ground when sitting on the seat, but I have grown to like the higher seat...
I don't find any bike seat that comfortable, maybe wrong word, it's fine to ride on, but it makes my nether region and my feet numb after a 1/2 hour...

Good Luck with your search.

BrianSharpe

You're choices are limited.

Sell the bike and take a hit financially and then buy a bike you consider more appropriate or see if you can address your concerns with this bike.

Did you buy it from a bike shop or a big box store? Have you had a proper bike fit done?

Perhaps if you gave some more information about the bike (brand, model) some people may be able to chime in with constructive suggestions.

jfan175

Get a proper fitting and make sure everything's tightened and adjusted correctly. You may actually end up liking the bike. Your butt will be sore until it's conditioned to ride. It takes more than the few rides you've been on. Most helmets can be adjusted and pads added....unless it's too small, I wouldn't be so quick to toss that, either.

NorthCascades

The helmet and bike are separate, that helmet would bother you on any bike. Find one that's better for you.

Saddles aren't very expensive. Most bikes come with uncomfortable saddles, probably because this is something that's so personal. One person's comfortable is another person's *kitten* hatchet. Terry makes saddles that are popular among women. Fabric makes a gel one that's suited to the type of riding it sounds like you want to do.

Do you have a picture of the bike? People might have better advice for you with more detail.

deannalfisher

Can you take a side photo of you on the bike? It will help to see how it fits

Machka9

alwaysbloated wrote: »

I got a bike earlier in the year. It was expensive. I've barely used it because...

-the helmet that came with the bike was giving me really sharp pains in my head and migraines
-the seat is too high up and can't be adjusted any lower (they wouldn't give me a lower bike because they said I was too tall, but I think they really meant "too heavy")
-the seat is extremely uncomfortable. I've tried using it a few times and it never gets better. We've brought a new seat, different covers and I've brought bike shorts but nothing helps. My sister used to have a really comfortable bike several years ago but I think we sold it :-(
-The bike wobbles over the road, I have trouble with balance on it, maybe something a bit thicker/heavier would work better?

I'm wondering if I can swap it for something else, because it's been less than a year since I got it, and I've barely used it due to discomfort. Might be willing to pay the difference for something I like. Would be happy to get something closer to the ground with a nicer seat, because if my weight damaged the tires, I would just get the tires fixed/replaced once I had lost enough weight to use the bike as it was designed.

Help?

Bike was designed to use off road, over grass, over uneven surfaces, or just as an all purpose bike. I wanted one of those pretty bikes with a basket, but the main purpose was to go off road with my dogs and give them a good run. Ended up attaching my own basket to it.

Take your hybrid to the shop where you bought it, and get a proper fitting done.

Also, get a new helmet, or talk to the shop about adjusting your helmet properly.

And get a saddle that works better for you.


And yes, do you have a photo of you with the bicycle?

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BrianSharpe

alwaysbloated wrote: »

I'll post some details about the bike in a few hours. Thanks everyone :-)

Does getting a fitting mean keeping the same bike, but adjusting it so it works better for me?

Correct, adjusting saddle height, fore & aft (to make sure your hips, knees etc line up properly with the pedals) handlebar height etc. It's amazing what small adjustments can do in respect to comfort and mechanical efficiency.

Djproulx

BrianSharpe wrote: »

alwaysbloated wrote: »

I'll post some details about the bike in a few hours. Thanks everyone :-)

Does getting a fitting mean keeping the same bike, but adjusting it so it works better for me?

Correct, adjusting saddle height, fore & aft (to make sure your hips, knees etc line up properly with the pedals) handlebar height etc. It's amazing what small adjustments can do in respect to comfort and mechanical efficiency.

@BrianSharpe's comment is so very true. With a bike that fits you well, the pain, numbness or other discomforts are minimized or go away completely. Riding becomes fun when you feel good every time you jump on your bike.

Unknown

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NorthCascades

I need to chime in with my agreement too.

2 or 3 mm sounds like nothing but can be the difference between happiness and pain.

It's hard to know where to put stuff and be comfortable. Some things aren't very intuitive. And you can't see yourself on the bike. But someone else can make sure everything is where it should be.

A squirrelly handling bike could be a fit problem.

If you have health insurance, tell your doctor riding your bike gives you pain but that you want to be able to do it. Doc will send you to a physical therapist. They'll do a much better job than most people at a bike shop, and it will be covered by your insurance.

aokoye

alwaysbloated wrote: »

Some roads are closed off to traffic due to earthquakes a few years ago. There are clear roads and grass sections were I can ride byside my dogs off lead, without getting in trouble. The police are more concerned with people selling drugs there or dumping rubbish. There are a lot of dog walkers in that area, and some cyclists.

I would still urge you to see what the off leash laws for that area are. Riding with your dog off leash, especially if there are other cyclists, isn't safe for anyone involved (it's also not safe for other dogs). I have a number of stories of almost hitting a dog that was off leash while riding my bike in an on leash area. There are quite a number of threads on bikeforums.net about this as well (some more than a little tongue in cheek but others absolutely serious).

My butt is sore within 5 minutes. Not my favourite thing in the world. Would love to be able to take the bike out for 3 hours at a time but can't see that happening right now.

A quick google search shows that you can bet Fabric saddles in New Zealand. I would also google and see if there are any shops that allow you to test out saddles before you buy them. Some cities have shops with or that are saddle libraries of sorts. i'm kicking myself for not utilizing the one in Portland. Also you will probably eventually be able to be able to find a saddle and saddle position that is comfortable enough for three plus hour rides. It'll probably take time, but I wouldn't give up. For what its worth, I generally think that a lot of people (especially people without vulvas) really underestimate how hard it can be to find a comfortable saddle and saddle position. It comes up at all levels of the sport. The women on who were on Team GB's London cycling team had this issue and there have been a few articles written that highlighted that. Here's one and here's another - I personally found reading articles like that cathartic because it made it abundently clear that I wasn't the only one dealing with this (I did eventually find a saddle that worked for me).

I don't know the answer to your other question.

For me to put my foot done, I have to tilt the bike to a 1 oclock position. It annoys me, I feel unsafe. Wondering if I can get platform exercise shoes? (LOL).

Your bike may very well be too big but it might also be fine. By how much is your knee bent when it's in the 6 oclock position I meant when one pedal is at it's lowest, how bent is your knee when your foot is on that pedal. Here's a picture illustrating my question:

Machka9

alwaysbloated wrote: »

I'll post some details about the bike in a few hours. Thanks everyone :-)

Does getting a fitting mean keeping the same bike, but adjusting it so it works better for me?

Yes.

Machka9

alwaysbloated wrote: »

For me to put my foot done, I have to tilt the bike to a 1 oclock position. It annoys me, I feel unsafe. Wondering if I can get platform exercise shoes? (LOL).

If your saddle is the right height, you'll likely have to get off the saddle when you want to stop.

My husband can usually put his foot down at stops, but I can't.

sijomial

It seems you are trying to set the saddle height for when you are stopped - you need it to be set for when you are pedalling. Having a too low seat height can contribute to soreness.

Persist may well be the answer, you will get more confident, your backside will become conditioned. Your twitchy handling could well be you have a death grip on the handlebars and trying to steer with your hands rather than "steer with your eyes".
I used to teach advanced motorcycle riding and the cause of handling nervousness was often a tense rider stopping the bike flowing naturally rather than a machine issue.

Talking of machine issues though - are your tyres pumped up to the right pressure?

Try to consciously relax and let the bike steer itself, plan your stops to include where you are going to put your foot (kerbs are perfect), take the camber of the road or track into account when deciding which foot to use. Don't step into a puddle or it might hiding a pothole.

Machka9

Machka9 wrote: »

alwaysbloated wrote: »

For me to put my foot done, I have to tilt the bike to a 1 oclock position. It annoys me, I feel unsafe. Wondering if I can get platform exercise shoes? (LOL).

If your saddle is the right height, you'll likely have to get off the saddle when you want to stop.

My husband can usually put his foot down at stops, but I can't.

I've got a video, in the link below, which my husband took of me getting started on one of my bicycles, and some stills showing how he can sit on the saddle with a foot down, but I can't.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/albums/72157665964529122

lorrpb

I'm new to my bike too. I paid for a professional fitting. I cannot reach the ground while sitting in the saddle but it's the perfect height while pedaling. I plan to mostly pedal rather than stand around with my bike. My husband is 6 inches taller than me so I'm sure he could flat foot while in saddle just fine, but that's hardly the point. I think you've set up a false standard of how your bike should fit.

As for the wobbliness, it's probably a technique issue. A lighter hike with narrower tires IS less stable than a heavier bike with fatter tires. I compared a road bike and a hybrid. The difference was huge! I actually ended up buying both, for different purposes (used, from a friend.)

If you don't like your bike, I suggest you sell it privately and get one more to your liking, either privately or from the store. If you were within 30 days of purchase "maybe" some stores would allow a trade up credit, but why would they take it back several months later? They can't resell it as new.

I have a friend who once bought cross country skis to use on groomed courses. Several months later she decided she wanted to do more off course trekking and expected the store to give her a refund and let her buy different skis. They didn't, she was mad about it and spoke ill about that store for years. I never understood that, especially coming from an otherwise reasonable and kind person.

Machka9

lorrpb wrote: »

I have a friend who once bought cross country skis to use on groomed courses. Several months later she decided she wanted to do more off course trekking and expected the store to give her a refund and let her buy different skis. They didn't, she was mad about it and spoke ill about that store for years. I never understood that, especially coming from an otherwise reasonable and kind person.

I've worked in a couple different clothing stores and we'd get people buying a lovely outfit for a special occasion ... and then they'd expect to be able to return it for cash or exchange a week or two later, complete with wine stains, pet fur, and who knows what all. And they'd be upset we wouldn't take the outfit back.

jjpptt2

A few thoughts as I've read through all of this, in no particular order...

• "comfortable" on a bike is relative. Don't expect it to feel like your couch.
• You mention buying the bike earlier this year, and using it "a few times". You'll never get comfortable on it using it that infrequently. You need to use it more regularly in order to get used to it.
• Seat height has nothing to do with weight. Nor does bike size. If they gave you the wrong type of bike then either you weren't clear about what you wanted or the shop ignored you.
• There's lots of advice about how to setup your bike from seasoned riders. While those suggestions aren't necessarily wrong, they aren't necessarily right either. Yes, these suggests are the "norms" for a reason, but it's your bike and your body... you need to set it up so you are comfortable. You may get much better advice from someone who can actually see you on the bike.
• Bikes that are "designed to go offroad" are not road bikes as your subject suggests. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but off-road bikes should, by their nature, be more comfortable (or at least easier to get comfortable on). So unless the bike is just horribly mis-sized for you, you should be able to make it work. But see my second point. If it is in fact a road bike, then comfort could be harder to achieve.