Always out-of-sandle on one bike, but not another, why?

rat_race · 01-05-2011 10:15AM #1

Hi,

I have two bikes, a 49cm Lapierre Road bike and a 50cm Cube Nature hybrid (for commuting, a recent purchase). I often notice when I'm out on the Lapierre that I often feel the need to stand up on hills, even sometimes reasonably gentle hills, but my friends rarely do...I often wondered why.

I thought it was just the way I was, but since I got the hybrid, I have noticed I never once feel the need to get out of the seat while on the hybrid.

Now I'm wondering why...what's the difference, and what I can do to my Lapierre, in terms of adjustment, to minimise the want to get out of the seat? Heighten saddle? Lower? Move back? Move forward? Any ideas/experience? Maybe the crank arm length is too small?

I just don't feel like I can give the power I should be on the Lapierre. Can't quite figure out why.

Both bikes are nearly the same frame size, except the hybrid's crossbars are a bit taller (being a hybrid)

Note that I am 5 foot 7, but, seem to have slightly longer inseam than is average for my height. I'm wondering if they guy who sold me the Lapierre should have given me one size up.

I chose the hybrid size myself (bought online); my height said one size, my inseam said a bigger size. I went for the smaller, 50cm.

Appreciate anything informative, cheers!

Cheers,
rat_race

gman2k · 01-05-2011 10:32AM

Always out of the Sandle? Ah Jesus!

gman2k · 01-05-2011 10:34AM

Ok, now a serious reply....
Do you have the same cassette ratios on the different bikes?
If not, you might find that you are struggling on the 'easiest' gear on the bike that you are out of the saddle on the most.

rat_race · 01-05-2011 10:48AM

gman2k wrote: »

Ok, now a serious reply....
Do you have the same cassette ratios on the different bikes?
If not, you might find that you are struggling on the 'easiest' gear on the bike that you are out of the saddle on the most.

Yep, they're the same I'm afraid...

blorg · 01-05-2011 11:03AM

The gearing is different, easier on the hybrid. From a quick google, the Cube Nature has:

- Crankset: Shimano FC-M543 2-Piece 48x36x26T
- Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50 11-32T

You don't say what model the road bike is but presuming it is a triple, you will have a 30T small ring and the cassette will probably have a largest cog of 25T- 25 is pretty standard for a triple road bike. In no case will the small ring be smaller than 30T and in no case will the largest cog be bigger than 28T.

This gives us an easiest gear of 26-32 on the hybrid (21.9 gear inches) and 30-25 (32.4") on the road bike- in other words, almost 50% harder to push up a hill.

feck sake lads · 01-05-2011 11:10AM

eh could it be that bike is to small for you. i reckon you need a 52cm frame.but besides all that you are certainly set up wrong your reach and saddle height sounds like it could need adjusting;)
but if you could try one of your buddies bikes if they have a 52 cm bike bet you will power up any hill.

Always out-of-sandle on one bike, but not another, why?

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