Something that helped me be more comfortable on the bike has been to hit the gym a couple times a week to work on strength and mobility. These are two attributes that decline with age and requires maintenance. My lower back pain has been significantly reduced after doing barbell lifting regularly.
@@gmk9 the easy and expensive answer is pay someone to train you at a gym. Otherwise Alan Thrall videos are great. Starting strength. Stronger by Science Renaissance Periodization. Jeff Nippard
@@gmk9 I can agree with Skylar. Alan Thrall’s videos are great for form and everything about lifting in general. although old the information is still good
@@gmk9 get a few sessions with an experienced trainer to work on a few basic movements. Some places have a community center or community college that offers low cost classes in weight training. When beginning you usually want to start lighter than you think that you need to. Just burn the movements into your nervous system. Soreness and results are thoroughly unrelated. Then after a few weeks slowly start adding weight. For the first 6 months I recommend that you keep your repetitions in the 12-20 rep range. This will condition your connective tissue. After those 6 months you can start increasing the weight and lowering the reps. Working out at home with free weights or a gym both are capable of delivering good results. Consistency, hard work and a smart training plan make a far bigger difference than a pile of fancy equipment in the gym. I recommend focusing on free weights/body weight movements and focusing on big multi joint exercises such as dips, pushups, pull/chinups, standing press, bench press, squats, split squats, deadlift... barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells are all excellent strength training tools. You're not going wrong with any of the 3. I fell for kettlebells and love them. If you decide to go for kettlebells don't get a normal general trainer but a *kettlebell* trainer. Good luck.
Staying fit, and strong is important especially for me in my 40s. I've been riding bikes since the late 90s, and I never really focused on cycling specific functional training until a few years ago. When I was in my 20s, I was always more reckless with my body compared to now.
I've been bike touring for a little over 50 years. After all those years I have had to maker concessions to time. Over time my body has changed , My center of gravity has changed. Gravity always wins! Some of my shift was from upper body to my legs, I am an inch or two shorter at 80 than at 30. My physical strength in my core, legs and arms has changed.
Only change one thing at a time so you can be sure of what is making a negative/positive change and keep a record of all the starting point measurements like seat height etc
I'd never heard of stem suspension, thanks for opening my eyes to something that's probably already been out there for years!😊 I'm now going to need to up my bike budget for 2024.
I'm a bibs guy so a new pair of quality bibs with a good pad is essential. Also, new gloves can help as well. Def. +1 on tires (wider) and a good well fitting saddle. Edit: correct gearing for the ride and tuneup!
One thing not listed that made a big difference for me was some nice padded gloves. A redshift stem along with specialized dual gel gloves completely changed my cutthroat's ride for the better.
I second the seatpost comment. I scored a redshift coil spring model second hand and could not be happier. Set it up stiff for zero bob, and you still get good cushion. Cheers
The most comfortable thing I do is to simply get off the bike every 10 km or so and walk around and/or stretch for a minute or two. Another is to stand up for a minute whilst on the bike. Doing a few rolling stretches works wonders too.
Yes, I do this as well, I love getting off my bike after a while and just walking a little. I do this in beautiful areas. You just experience things differently on foot, I can really recommend it! It's too easy to get all caught up in the riding headspace and get this sort of tunnel vision, at least for me.
For additional comfort: padded shorts, double wrap bar tape, 2 pairs of socks, gloves, max tires width, slightly lower seat height, float on your pedals & grips (benefits of Tai Chi)
Neil…again, a great “value-added” video. Your communication style always “hits it out of the park”. I’m all too quickly approaching my late 60s. After two “physically-challenging” careers (one Navy and one federal wildlife LEO), comfort is paramount….(especially as I experienced a Navy aircraft accident back in the 1970s that has affected my back at times!). So what do I do to maintain comfort long distance? I make sure that there is a good microbrewery or tap room, somewhere along the ride, and one near the end! Again, Bravo-Zulu….nice job….and now I’m going to look into a new saddle and “flex thingamadoohickey” for my seat post. Carry on, young man…well done!
Due to a neck injury years ago, I have found the Jones H Bar to be my comfort solution. I also like the Cane Creek suspension seat post. On my latest hard tail, I laced wider rims and installed plus tires. Have been tubeless for some time now as well. All of this has a definite impact on long ride comfort. Thanks for sharing.
100% to all of these. I had a bike fit a few months back and it was a game changer. I stopped thinking about my discomfort and focused on enjoying my ride. I have also double wrapped my bar tape on my dropbar bike, and put barends on the inside of my grips for an alternative position on my flat bar bike. Swapping stems, bars, and saddles have helped quite a lot over the years. I have long legs and short arms, so reach has always been an issue. With these changes, my rides are much more enjoyable!
I'm 62. I've outgrown "macho". With old hand damage, I can't have much weight on the palms so I need an upright position that takes the weight off. It really helps my broken shoulder over the length of the ride. This makes the seat critical. I haven't found anything as nice as the old mattress saddle, where I sit on a web of stretched springs. They're not popular now because they're expensive to build and pretty heavy, but they mod to my anatomy and soak up road shock and vibration. A well designed recumbent is an all day comfort bike, and helps me see the scenery.
these are great tips for adapting the bike you have, to be the bike you need and use. for me, taking my old steel ogre frame - starting with the wheels and tires. I just made a jump down from 700c wheels to 650, with triple butted spokes, and new Vittoria mescal tires. the ride is amazing and it makes my old travel routes interesting. changing stem lengths and bar types creates more awareness of the ride, the body, and some joint pain relief.
I ride a cross bike with a flat bar and bar ends. The comfiest thing Ive found in a long time is wrapping the bar ends in bar tape. I dunno why it wasnt a thing back when EVERYONE used to have bar ends. But, it makes all the difference for me. Especially when I'm standing and cranking. Live long and keep pedalling!
Bigger tires set up tubeless run at low pressure makes a HUGE difference. I agree 100% on having a professional bike fit. I got that done a couple months ago and no more seat, hand and foot pain. Thanks again for another great video, I always learn something. Time for some cushy bar tape.
I love my PNW coast suspension dropper. Doesn’t take away all the chatter like a redshift post, but definitely softens the big hits. And being able to get the seat out of the way for monster descents or technical terrain has been amazing. Worth the extra weight for me. Riding a drop bar rigid gravel bike for reference.
Similar PNW Coast dropper experiences on both 29er HT and fatbikes. Closing in on 10,000 km without change in performance! The ability to fine-tune airshock pressure is very useful. Riding temperature range -40 C to +40 C. Up front, a Jones Carbon H-loop bar quiets the chatter and has 35-40 mm compliance for the big hits. Specialized has a Dual-Gel glove that is excellent for both comfort on the Ergon grips and additional hand positions on untaped bars.
Yeah I second the Ritchey VentureMax bars. Took a little time to get used to but boy are they comfy. Love that arch in the drops. I paired them with the Redshift Cruise Control top bar grips for extra comfort which has also worked out grrrrreat!
After years of climbing and biking, I definitely need cushy hand grips. The foam grips don't cut it for me, but the Ergon work great. On my drop bar bikes Fizik bar gel works wonders. One more tidbit. As we get older, raising that stem angle and shortening it works wonders. Thanks!
When tweaking my bike fit I record all of my bikes measurements in a specific notebook. Before and after plus the date that the changes are made. Only change 1 thing at a time. Also when hauling things such as when bikepacking putting the load on your bike instead of your backpack significantly improves comfort. Unless you're on a trip with really rugged terrain that involves lots of lifting your bike over obstacles, carrying it across streams/rivers... put the weight on your bike. Try out different seats and keep trying out seats until you have a magical winner. Different people have different feet. Different feet = different shoes. Butts and bike seats are the same. Also strength training is your friend. Get strong. If you improve your strength by 50% those continual strains aren't going to beat you up nearly as bad. Another thing that significantly helps manage discomfort is massage. A pro is great but self massage can be really helpful. Your own hands and elbows plus a massage toy done right can keep you feeling and performing way better. Tennis balls are pretty good at self massage. There's a reason why most of my bikes have a tennis ball stuck in the spokes of my rear wheel.
I have my own bike brand and during the design process I ride a lot and try lots of setups. After 35 years I'm now well into bikepacking comfort is super important now. Over the last few years I've mainly ridden a fatbike but just a couple of days ago i thought I'd try one of our 29er's. I have to be honest and say, yes it may be quicker on tarmac but anything offroad the fatbike wins hands down. no need for any suspension, just allow the tyres to take the hits and smile, then there's the grip and ability to ride soft ground. Just my twopenneth.
I'm with you 100%. I try to tell everybody I can. More often than not, with existing riders, they're stuck in the "17mph mindset" and can't imagine why a fat bike is better....but it just is.
The adjustable bike stems can help too. I custom built up my own e-bike and it too has the following components on it; Ergo grips, Suntour NCX suspension seatpost, 100mm front coil fork, a wider saddle and wider touring handlebars with a lesser degree bend. So far, I have not noticed or felt any body issues with this type of set up. However, as an older rider, my e-bike has a standard MTB Alloy frame, but I am interested in having a low step dual adventure frame for my e-bike in the purpose of easier on and off for older riders.
Oury grips. Alt bars with between 25-35 degrees backsweep, not overly wide. Leather or Cambium C17 saddle. Steel frame and forks Wide flat pedals 2-2.25" tires.
PNW Coast suspension dropper adorn on three of my trust steeds. I shoe a Red Shift 100mm with a 30° rise hooked to the kitchen sink bars loaded with their grip setup. First time on drop bar since 1984. Love the setup on my Norco search.
Distributing load when bikepacking. I keep heavier items in the middle of the handlebar to reduce the turning torque required. Heaviest items go in frame bag.
What gives me real comfort is double wrapping (2x3.2 mm lizard skin) my handle bar. That and red-shifts CRUISE CONTROL DROP BAR GRIPS. Those really rock
I have and will continue buying any kind of tires. I have no real preference BUT I will only recommend 1 gravel tire and one gravel tire brand. The TERAVAIL WASHBURN is THE VERY BEST GRAVEL TIRE I've ever bought. It's so expensive but it's my most reusable tire I've ever had and after experienced it on various terrains I can say that there's no competition. The technology boggles my mind how its layers protected me from flats, discomfort, and weight. I brag about these tires all the time and it's also a fast rolling tire. BTW, it was your recommendation that made me choose this set. I watched your review on them last year and bought them a few weeks later. Didn't regret them at all. Thank you
Great vid! My secret hack for comfort ( in addition to many you spoke of) is to include frequent light cross training targeting my upper back and shoulders
Firm believer in the suspension seat post and suspension stem. As an older rider with all of the creaks that age brings. These two things have made long rides way more comfortable.
The most helpful aftermarket add-ons that I have fitted on my bike is the suspension seat post ( by.schulz 50mm w/ correct spring-to-weight colour code ) and ( velo orange crazy bar w/ 30 degree back sweep and those bull horns add variety ). Have carpal tunnel and those alt-bar really helped with hand position comfort while the suspension seat post got me to ride a lot longer plus no lingering saddle soreness after every ride. For winter rides, thermal pants are the best to get besides cycling jacket and gloves.
Dutch bikes are really comfortable on long rides. Their steel bars soak up all the vibration. The big heavy rims roll over bumps in the road. Although not built for speed; worth testing on a long ride for inspiration.
When it comes to saddles I also find it invaluable to find out if you prefer a flat saddle or a rounded one. I tried an Ergon saddle, similar to the one shown at around 1:40 and equally flat, a winner in many saddle comfort comparisons but for my butt it feels like punishment. The bronze one next to it (Brooks C17) is pronouncedly round and feels great. So try to find out what you prefer.
Rode the Oregon Outback from CA to WA on all types of gravel. Running. 650b rim with 55mm tires really helped soften the ride. Rene Herse has several sidewall options on all their tires that allow you play around with sidewall stiffness.
I agree, that is a good arrangement. I have 27.5" wheels with x 3" Teravail Coronado tires for bike packing They are magic!! They roll over & through almost everything - sand, gravel, hardpack, babyheads.
Good quality affordable tires (Panaracer Pasela right now), cloth Velox rim tape, Schwalbe tubes, 20mm setback carbon seatpost, titanium WTB saddle (Silverado), adjustable 4-axis stem allowing easy changes in handlebar angle and height at any time, and careful positioning of shifters to lift/angle wrists removing pressure from hands and positioning for shoulder width. I also have a chromoly fork for safety and comfort. I am using XT in rear with Deore shifters, brakes, and an old 3x, 48-38-28 crankset which I may soon change to a 48-36-26 for more comfortable climbing. I live in the mountains, Deore brakes are good as I am climbing or descending a lot. Whatever you need make the gears comfortable. I enjoy myself, and look to ride comfortable pace.
Redshift makes some ergonomic grips for drop bars that actually have me riding in the drops (because I mostly ride gravel and NOT road). Most drop bars are made for road bikes, I think, and not so much for gravel, so they're stiff and lightweight (read narrow and painful on rough roads) and not made to flex. I'm a fanboy of their ecosystem of seatpost, stem, and the grips for the drops. Their products are lifesavers on long gravel rides.
Thank you Thanks for the useful information, I am also a former cyclist (road racer) but these days I will be using it for pleasure and trips inshallah.
I have a road bike (Reynolds 853/carbon) with longer and one with a shorter wheelbase (Scandium). While the longer bike rides like on tracks, the other one is more agile, meaning more interesting to ride on tours. As I ride mostly on roads, there is no much difference in comfort. But the 1/2 kg lighter Scandium setup clearly shines on longer tours, steeper climbs and I experienced noticeably higher average speed with full 🏕 gear. Any road bike can be converted to a gravelbike.
Love your shows, first stop when looking for info. I have both redshift seat post and the handlebar stem, game changer for me as I have arthritis in my hands, they really don't take impact well, at all! . Thanks, looking for a good all-day seat for weeklong trips now?
Thanks for all your insights, as an older rider I find comfort is becoming more important every year. Two questions; rigid fork or suspension fork for bikepacking? Also, love the hat, how do I get one?
Going ridged or suspension would vary greatly depending on what you are riding. Like, I would bring at least a hardtail to the Colorado trail. But the great divide route I almost always ride with a ridged bike.
For me, the comfort game changer was to change out my drop down bars to flat bars with ergon grips+ergon bar ends. And to rise my handlebar 2cm. All my problems were gone, riding is pure joy now.
I have the Surly moloko bars which have extentions inside the grips, something similar to ans aero position. The problem I have, as a commuter in a hilly area, I'm finding that I don't get to stay there long before having to go back to the bar ends to brake/shift. I know there are options for breaking from multiple spots, but those look to be complicated systems and cost a pretty penny too.
Once you have had a professional bike fit and ridden with the benefits, I've found it useful to record the initial fit and any subsequent changes. A tape measure and the Bubble App ( free and worth installing) to record angles such as seat and bars. All recorded in the RWGPS maintenance log. :)
I just use a paint marker on my bars so I can eyeball it to the line on my stem. If you don't want to permanently mark your bike a piece of tape or a sticker works.
I’ve had a couple “bike fits” that were really not taken seriously by the staff at the shop(s)…. Even drove 120 mi out of town in the effort. How do you find a truly competent and committed bike fit specialist?
Check with local stores and race teams is a good place to start. When you find that person, figure out who trained them and voila. I got lucky being connected to a race team and I keep going back to the same guy over and over. It's amazing what a difference it makes. How many saddle sores did I have this year? Zero.
The downside of getting old is: the body breaks down over time just as your bike ... it's easier and still less expensive to replace, or repair a bike part than a body part ... all for less pain, MORE COMFORT!
Thanks. I’m a fairly new rider riding an older flat bar MTB. I do get some hand pain and numbness and am wanting to try your foam grip recommendation. Which brand and model foam grips are these that you’re showing and are there others you recommend? Thanks
Got a bike fit for my roadbike. Should i use my measurement for touring bike or i should get a 1-2cm smaller? I don't want to get bike fitted again since it's expensive here. By the way i got my road bike measurement as semi racer since my body is not yet in shape to be more aero dynamic. Thanks.
I am in the process of buying a new bike (Salsa Timberjack) now. I fall exactly between a frame size small and medium based on the Salsa information on rider height. With the shortage of Salsa frames in my area I cannot sit on one before buying and have to order it blind. My bike shop told me to get a medium. Salsa through email said they would recommend a small. Will going small or medium make a difference in my comfort on the bike?
#1 is ride more consistently. A couple short rides per week instead of (or hopefully in addition to) one mega one every 1-4 weeks and the big ones won't break you.
![CHILE vs. BRASIL [1-2] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5ObJt_71AYc/mqdefault.jpg)
This video was supported by Teravail Tires, learn More about Teravail Tires here: www.teravail.com?.com&
I thought at first hearing that you were sponsored by 'Terrible Tires'!
I like the " Be You" part very much!
Something that helped me be more comfortable on the bike has been to hit the gym a couple times a week to work on strength and mobility. These are two attributes that decline with age and requires maintenance. My lower back pain has been significantly reduced after doing barbell lifting regularly.
Any tips on how to get started with barbell as a relative beginner (did a little bit during high school sports 15 years ago)?
@@gmk9 the easy and expensive answer is pay someone to train you at a gym. Otherwise Alan Thrall videos are great. Starting strength. Stronger by Science Renaissance Periodization. Jeff Nippard
@@gmk9 I can agree with Skylar. Alan Thrall’s videos are great for form and everything about lifting in general. although old the information is still good
@@gmk9 get a few sessions with an experienced trainer to work on a few basic movements. Some places have a community center or community college that offers low cost classes in weight training. When beginning you usually want to start lighter than you think that you need to. Just burn the movements into your nervous system. Soreness and results are thoroughly unrelated. Then after a few weeks slowly start adding weight. For the first 6 months I recommend that you keep your repetitions in the 12-20 rep range. This will condition your connective tissue. After those 6 months you can start increasing the weight and lowering the reps. Working out at home with free weights or a gym both are capable of delivering good results. Consistency, hard work and a smart training plan make a far bigger difference than a pile of fancy equipment in the gym. I recommend focusing on free weights/body weight movements and focusing on big multi joint exercises such as dips, pushups, pull/chinups, standing press, bench press, squats, split squats, deadlift... barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells are all excellent strength training tools. You're not going wrong with any of the 3. I fell for kettlebells and love them. If you decide to go for kettlebells don't get a normal general trainer but a *kettlebell* trainer. Good luck.
Staying fit, and strong is important especially for me in my 40s. I've been riding bikes since the late 90s, and I never really focused on cycling specific functional training until a few years ago. When I was in my 20s, I was always more reckless with my body compared to now.
I've been bike touring for a little over 50 years. After all those years I have had to maker concessions to time. Over time my body has changed , My center of gravity has changed. Gravity always wins! Some of my shift was from upper body to my legs, I am an inch or two shorter at 80 than at 30. My physical strength in my core, legs and arms has changed.
Only change one thing at a time so you can be sure of what is making a negative/positive change and keep a record of all the starting point measurements like seat height etc
I'd never heard of stem suspension, thanks for opening my eyes to something that's probably already been out there for years!😊 I'm now going to need to up my bike budget for 2024.
I'm a bibs guy so a new pair of quality bibs with a good pad is essential. Also, new gloves can help as well. Def. +1 on tires (wider) and a good well fitting saddle. Edit: correct gearing for the ride and tuneup!
One thing not listed that made a big difference for me was some nice padded gloves. A redshift stem along with specialized dual gel gloves completely changed my cutthroat's ride for the better.
I second the seatpost comment. I scored a redshift coil spring model second hand and could not be happier. Set it up stiff for zero bob, and you still get good cushion.
Cheers
The most comfortable thing I do is to simply get off the bike every 10 km or so and walk around and/or stretch for a minute or two. Another is to stand up for a minute whilst on the bike. Doing a few rolling stretches works wonders too.
Yes, I do this as well, I love getting off my bike after a while and just walking a little. I do this in beautiful areas. You just experience things differently on foot, I can really recommend it! It's too easy to get all caught up in the riding headspace and get this sort of tunnel vision, at least for me.
That’s the best piece of advice!
For additional comfort: padded shorts, double wrap bar tape, 2 pairs of socks, gloves, max tires width, slightly lower seat height, float on your pedals & grips (benefits of Tai Chi)
Neil…again, a great “value-added” video. Your communication style always “hits it out of the park”. I’m all too quickly approaching my late 60s. After two “physically-challenging” careers (one Navy and one federal wildlife LEO), comfort is paramount….(especially as I experienced a Navy aircraft accident back in the 1970s that has affected my back at times!). So what do I do to maintain comfort long distance? I make sure that there is a good microbrewery or tap room, somewhere along the ride, and one near the end! Again, Bravo-Zulu….nice job….and now I’m going to look into a new saddle and “flex thingamadoohickey” for my seat post. Carry on, young man…well done!
Third and final, a devastating career of alcoholism¿
I can really recommend the Redshift Supension Seatpost. It just works.
Due to a neck injury years ago, I have found the Jones H Bar to be my comfort solution. I also like the Cane Creek suspension seat post. On my latest hard tail, I laced wider rims and installed plus tires. Have been tubeless for some time now as well. All of this has a definite impact on long ride comfort. Thanks for sharing.
I swapped bars to the surly truck stop for added rise and double wrapped it. Absolute game changer.
100% to all of these. I had a bike fit a few months back and it was a game changer. I stopped thinking about my discomfort and focused on enjoying my ride. I have also double wrapped my bar tape on my dropbar bike, and put barends on the inside of my grips for an alternative position on my flat bar bike.
Swapping stems, bars, and saddles have helped quite a lot over the years. I have long legs and short arms, so reach has always been an issue. With these changes, my rides are much more enjoyable!
,😊
I'm 62. I've outgrown "macho".
With old hand damage, I can't have much weight on the palms so I need an upright position that takes the weight off. It really helps my broken shoulder over the length of the ride.
This makes the seat critical. I haven't found anything as nice as the old mattress saddle, where I sit on a web of stretched springs. They're not popular now because they're expensive to build and pretty heavy, but they mod to my anatomy and soak up road shock and vibration.
A well designed recumbent is an all day comfort bike, and helps me see the scenery.
I think you will like Raleigh Classic Man
these are great tips for adapting the bike you have, to be the bike you need and use. for me, taking my old steel ogre frame - starting with the wheels and tires. I just made a jump down from 700c wheels to 650, with triple butted spokes, and new Vittoria mescal tires. the ride is amazing and it makes my old travel routes interesting. changing stem lengths and bar types creates more awareness of the ride, the body, and some joint pain relief.
I ride a cross bike with a flat bar and bar ends.
The comfiest thing Ive found in a long time is wrapping the bar ends in bar tape.
I dunno why it wasnt a thing back when EVERYONE used to have bar ends. But, it makes all the difference for me. Especially when I'm standing and cranking.
Live long and keep pedalling!
I’ve done that in the past! Thanks for sharing.
40⁰ Sweep back handle bars on my gravel bike made the biggest difference for me.
Bigger tires set up tubeless run at low pressure makes a HUGE difference. I agree 100% on having a professional bike fit. I got that done a couple months ago and no more seat, hand and foot pain. Thanks again for another great video, I always learn something. Time for some cushy bar tape.
Add tyre inserts.... game changer
I love my PNW coast suspension dropper. Doesn’t take away all the chatter like a redshift post, but definitely softens the big hits. And being able to get the seat out of the way for monster descents or technical terrain has been amazing. Worth the extra weight for me. Riding a drop bar rigid gravel bike for reference.
Similar PNW Coast dropper experiences on both 29er HT and fatbikes. Closing in on 10,000 km without change in performance! The ability to fine-tune airshock pressure is very useful. Riding temperature range -40 C to +40 C. Up front, a Jones Carbon H-loop bar quiets the chatter and has 35-40 mm compliance for the big hits. Specialized has a Dual-Gel glove that is excellent for both comfort on the Ergon grips and additional hand positions on untaped bars.
Yeah I second the Ritchey VentureMax bars. Took a little time to get used to but boy are they comfy. Love that arch in the drops. I paired them with the Redshift Cruise Control top bar grips for extra comfort which has also worked out grrrrreat!
After years of climbing and biking, I definitely need cushy hand grips. The foam grips don't cut it for me, but the Ergon work great. On my drop bar bikes Fizik bar gel works wonders. One more tidbit. As we get older, raising that stem angle and shortening it works wonders. Thanks!
When tweaking my bike fit I record all of my bikes measurements in a specific notebook. Before and after plus the date that the changes are made. Only change 1 thing at a time. Also when hauling things such as when bikepacking putting the load on your bike instead of your backpack significantly improves comfort. Unless you're on a trip with really rugged terrain that involves lots of lifting your bike over obstacles, carrying it across streams/rivers... put the weight on your bike. Try out different seats and keep trying out seats until you have a magical winner. Different people have different feet. Different feet = different shoes. Butts and bike seats are the same. Also strength training is your friend. Get strong. If you improve your strength by 50% those continual strains aren't going to beat you up nearly as bad. Another thing that significantly helps manage discomfort is massage. A pro is great but self massage can be really helpful. Your own hands and elbows plus a massage toy done right can keep you feeling and performing way better. Tennis balls are pretty good at self massage. There's a reason why most of my bikes have a tennis ball stuck in the spokes of my rear wheel.
Had my first bike fit this year. Wow what a difference
I have my own bike brand and during the design process I ride a lot and try lots of setups. After 35 years I'm now well into bikepacking comfort is super important now. Over the last few years I've mainly ridden a fatbike but just a couple of days ago i thought I'd try one of our 29er's. I have to be honest and say, yes it may be quicker on tarmac but anything offroad the fatbike wins hands down. no need for any suspension, just allow the tyres to take the hits and smile, then there's the grip and ability to ride soft ground. Just my twopenneth.
I'm with you 100%. I try to tell everybody I can. More often than not, with existing riders, they're stuck in the "17mph mindset" and can't imagine why a fat bike is better....but it just is.
@@zenofthemoment We know don't we. haha
Last tip is the best tip! Great content.
The adjustable bike stems can help too. I custom built up my own e-bike and it too has the following components on it; Ergo grips, Suntour NCX suspension seatpost, 100mm front coil fork, a wider saddle and wider touring handlebars with a lesser degree bend. So far, I have not noticed or felt any body issues with this type of set up. However, as an older rider, my e-bike has a standard MTB Alloy frame, but I am interested in having a low step dual adventure frame for my e-bike in the purpose of easier on and off for older riders.
I m using a hard tail mtb with 800mm handle bars (just upgraded) and I will definitely try the bar tape idea for hand comfort.
Oury grips.
Alt bars with between 25-35 degrees backsweep, not overly wide.
Leather or Cambium C17 saddle.
Steel frame and forks
Wide flat pedals
2-2.25" tires.
I've fitted quick release pedals for comfort when pushing my bike!
Good info delivered in a great, clear way.
PNW Coast suspension dropper adorn on three of my trust steeds. I shoe a Red Shift 100mm with a 30° rise hooked to the kitchen sink bars loaded with their grip setup. First time on drop bar since 1984. Love the setup on my Norco search.
Distributing load when bikepacking. I keep heavier items in the middle of the handlebar to reduce the turning torque required. Heaviest items go in frame bag.
What gives me real comfort is double wrapping (2x3.2 mm lizard skin) my handle bar. That and red-shifts CRUISE CONTROL DROP BAR GRIPS. Those really rock
BEST CYCLING VIDEO SO FAR
Thanks!!!
I have and will continue buying any kind of tires. I have no real preference BUT I will only recommend 1 gravel tire and one gravel tire brand. The TERAVAIL WASHBURN is THE VERY BEST GRAVEL TIRE I've ever bought. It's so expensive but it's my most reusable tire I've ever had and after experienced it on various terrains I can say that there's no competition. The technology boggles my mind how its layers protected me from flats, discomfort, and weight. I brag about these tires all the time and it's also a fast rolling tire. BTW, it was your recommendation that made me choose this set. I watched your review on them last year and bought them a few weeks later. Didn't regret them at all. Thank you
Titanium Seatpost & a relaxed mindset are my number 1&2
Shoes and pedals. I'm currently a fan of 5/10s and platforms for touring and "adventure" rides.
Great vid! My secret hack for comfort ( in addition to many you spoke of) is to include frequent light cross training targeting my upper back and shoulders
Firm believer in the suspension seat post and suspension stem. As an older rider with all of the creaks that age brings. These two things have made long rides way more comfortable.
Double padded shorts is my go to for big rides.
The most helpful aftermarket add-ons that I have fitted on my bike is the suspension seat post ( by.schulz 50mm w/ correct spring-to-weight colour code ) and ( velo orange crazy bar w/ 30 degree back sweep and those bull horns add variety ). Have carpal tunnel and those alt-bar really helped with hand position comfort while the suspension seat post got me to ride a lot longer plus no lingering saddle soreness after every ride. For winter rides, thermal pants are the best to get besides cycling jacket and gloves.
Padded shorts, good gloves and like you said, bar ends.
Dutch bikes are really comfortable on long rides. Their steel bars soak up all the vibration. The big heavy rims roll over bumps in the road. Although not built for speed; worth testing on a long ride for inspiration.
Awesome video. Your detail and practical advice is top notch. Thanks for sharing!
When it comes to saddles I also find it invaluable to find out if you prefer a flat saddle or a rounded one. I tried an Ergon saddle, similar to the one shown at around 1:40 and equally flat, a winner in many saddle comfort comparisons but for my butt it feels like punishment. The bronze one next to it (Brooks C17) is pronouncedly round and feels great. So try to find out what you prefer.
Amazing piece of advice! Thank you, sir, so very much for this enlightening and great video! Wishing you safe trips! Take care! Greetings from Sweden!
Passchier handlebars! Awesome smooths out all the chatter
Speed and route. If arriving 30 minutes later wont affect the plan I’ll usually go for the smoother cruising ride. Enjoy the trip
Rode the Oregon Outback from CA to WA on all types of gravel. Running. 650b rim with 55mm tires really helped soften the ride. Rene Herse has several sidewall options on all their tires that allow you play around with sidewall stiffness.
I agree, that is a good arrangement. I have 27.5" wheels with x 3" Teravail Coronado tires for bike packing They are magic!! They roll over & through almost everything - sand, gravel, hardpack, babyheads.
I got myself some 'butterfly' bars. Quite a few different positions, and if tilted up a little, going uphill you can really pull on them.
You have a lot of good knowledge ty
Glad to help
I did a lot of bike fitting. Choose different kinds of bars and crank lengths until I changed to a wide saddle. I can go extra miles than before
Off road comfort: Jones H-Bar with ESI Chunky Grips; add a Brooks B-17 saddle broken in correctly and you're set for long miles.
The Ritchey Beacon alloy bar has made be reborn. Totally recommended
I have the Ritchey Butano in 46cm and I love it.
I ride the Ritchey Beacon, love the shallow reach/drop - very comfy
my eye openers in 2022 were: Brooks Cambium C15 AW and SQlab 511 XL pedals! 12 h riding time without any issues!
Good quality affordable tires (Panaracer Pasela right now), cloth Velox rim tape, Schwalbe tubes, 20mm setback carbon seatpost, titanium WTB saddle (Silverado), adjustable 4-axis stem allowing easy changes in handlebar angle and height at any time, and careful positioning of shifters to lift/angle wrists removing pressure from hands and positioning for shoulder width. I also have a chromoly fork for safety and comfort. I am using XT in rear with Deore shifters, brakes, and an old 3x, 48-38-28 crankset which I may soon change to a 48-36-26 for more comfortable climbing. I live in the mountains, Deore brakes are good as I am climbing or descending a lot. Whatever you need make the gears comfortable. I enjoy myself, and look to ride comfortable pace.
Redshift makes some ergonomic grips for drop bars that actually have me riding in the drops (because I mostly ride gravel and NOT road). Most drop bars are made for road bikes, I think, and not so much for gravel, so they're stiff and lightweight (read narrow and painful on rough roads) and not made to flex. I'm a fanboy of their ecosystem of seatpost, stem, and the grips for the drops. Their products are lifesavers on long gravel rides.
I spy the one and only, Shawn Gillis, in the Absolute fit room! #icon. Great video, Neil. Keep the awesome content rolling!
taking breaks ,going into the trip with a mind set towards enjoyment over anything
Thank you Thanks for the useful information, I am also a former cyclist (road racer) but these days I will be using it for pleasure and trips inshallah.
I have a road bike (Reynolds 853/carbon) with longer and one with a shorter wheelbase (Scandium). While the longer bike rides like on tracks, the other one is more agile, meaning more interesting to ride on tours. As I ride mostly on roads, there is no much difference in comfort. But the 1/2 kg lighter Scandium setup clearly shines on longer tours, steeper climbs and I experienced noticeably higher average speed with full 🏕 gear. Any road bike can be converted to a gravelbike.
Love your shows, first stop when looking for info. I have both redshift seat post and the handlebar stem, game changer for me as I have arthritis in my hands, they really don't take impact well, at all! . Thanks, looking for a good all-day seat for weeklong trips now?
Thanks for all your insights, as an older rider I find comfort is becoming more important every year. Two questions; rigid fork or suspension fork for bikepacking? Also, love the hat, how do I get one?
Going ridged or suspension would vary greatly depending on what you are riding. Like, I would bring at least a hardtail to the Colorado trail. But the great divide route I almost always ride with a ridged bike.
@@ryanthompson1442 thxs for the input Ryan
For me, the comfort game changer was to change out my drop down bars to flat bars with ergon grips+ergon bar ends. And to rise my handlebar 2cm. All my problems were gone, riding is pure joy now.
2cm? I would think that would be too insignificant.
@@hikerJohn
No. Only 2cm was perfect.
For me it’s Ergon standard grips with padded cheap inner bar ends
I gave up on drop bars and my back surely thanks me a lot. Wide risers FTW
Agreed. I did the same
filling your frame with fluids will definitely reduce vibrations since the added mass will lower vibrations as well as give it a different harmonic.
Interesting, also heavy but a little bit could go a long way. Thanks for sharing.
This is a troll right
@@wilsgrant yeah, but its also true
I have the Surly moloko bars which have extentions inside the grips, something similar to ans aero position. The problem I have, as a commuter in a hilly area, I'm finding that I don't get to stay there long before having to go back to the bar ends to brake/shift. I know there are options for breaking from multiple spots, but those look to be complicated systems and cost a pretty penny too.
As a male rider, w/o going into specifics, I typically adjust my seat a little to the left of center for a more comfortable ride.
Glad I found you.
Once you have had a professional bike fit and ridden with the benefits, I've found it useful to record the initial fit and any subsequent changes. A tape measure and the Bubble App ( free and worth installing) to record angles such as seat and bars. All recorded in the RWGPS maintenance log. :)
I just use a paint marker on my bars so I can eyeball it to the line on my stem. If you don't want to permanently mark your bike a piece of tape or a sticker works.
Great compilation of comfort improvements!! Do anybody knows of a suspension seatpost with at least 280 mm of maximum exposed lenght?
I’ve had a couple “bike fits” that were really not taken seriously by the staff at the shop(s)…. Even drove 120 mi out of town in the effort.
How do you find a truly competent and committed bike fit specialist?
Good question, you really need to find someone that is in the know, well trained and that you can trust.
Check with local stores and race teams is a good place to start. When you find that person, figure out who trained them and voila. I got lucky being connected to a race team and I keep going back to the same guy over and over. It's amazing what a difference it makes. How many saddle sores did I have this year? Zero.
When I see these kind of videos I just start laughing my head off , I am so glad I don't need to worry about all those things anymore .
Did you LOL? Would love to hear more...
Still…butterfly bars are taboo. Why? Some people think they’re ugly. Try going on a long bike tour. You’ll soon see the beauty.
Not making the ride more comfy but I would add to the list waxing the chain for a longer trip as it is less trouble I reckon
I find a thick bar tape goes a long way in comfort match it with shock stop stem.
The downside of getting old is: the body breaks down over time just as your bike ... it's easier and still less expensive to replace, or repair a bike part than a body part ... all for less pain, MORE COMFORT!
How about front and rear suspension, doesn't that affect comfort more than anything?
Do you guys have aerobars recommendations?
Thanks. I’m a fairly new rider riding an older flat bar MTB.
I do get some hand pain and numbness and am wanting to try your foam grip recommendation.
Which brand and model foam grips are these that you’re showing and are there others you recommend?
Thanks
Got a bike fit for my roadbike. Should i use my measurement for touring bike or i should get a 1-2cm smaller? I don't want to get bike fitted again since it's expensive here. By the way i got my road bike measurement as semi racer since my body is not yet in shape to be more aero dynamic. Thanks.
What kind of aerobars are you holding in the video?
I love bikes
Does the bikepacking rear bag suitable for seat post suspension
how would you compare the eesilk+ vs Redshift seatpost please?
I wish u could help me set my old mtb bike up better for me
Add-in a pair of cushcore for a bit of confort
I’m actually hoping I can test a set here soon.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom looking forward to it!
I am in the process of buying a new bike (Salsa Timberjack) now. I fall exactly between a frame size small and medium based on the Salsa information on rider height. With the shortage of Salsa frames in my area I cannot sit on one before buying and have to order it blind. My bike shop told me to get a medium. Salsa through email said they would recommend a small. Will going small or medium make a difference in my comfort on the bike?
How did you connect the earobars together?
How about solar on board recharging?
Hey, what aero bars do you use? I looked at so many sites but haven't found them anywhere.
7:11 which bar is this?
#1 is ride more consistently. A couple short rides per week instead of (or hopefully in addition to) one mega one every 1-4 weeks and the big ones won't break you.
What aero bars are those?
where you get that dope hat?
bikepacking.com/news/new-summer-2022-merch/
Can anyone tell me how to find the aerobars he's holding in the video?
These are the profile design t2 aero bars that were modified a bit. I dont believe they make this style anymore.
7:11 what bar is this on the blue bike?
ruclips.net/video/jjWpYkL0a5k/видео.htmlsi=AlLluAV6HzNS8yxp
2:22 Sorry, I know it is a dump question. But what are Stems?
It’s a part that connects your handlebars to your fork and frame. .
Notebook! On next long ride write down what’s working or not so you can change, try things….
Love it, thanks Dave.