Hello! Recently i've swapped my old hardtail for a new gravel/touring bike that i ordered online via a bike shop. As i am around 187cm, i bought a size large. When fitting my new bike, they set my saddle at the max height allowed, much higher than the handle, telling me that it was needed since i have very long legs, and the leg should be able to fully extend when pedaling and that it was important for comfort.
However, i was used to riding my old bike (also an L) with my saddle way lower than the handle becouse it would give me a sense of stability and of safety, and my legs were never fully extended but it never troubled me. I rode home like that with the new bike and it felt super unstable and high up, as if i was wearing stilts. plus, when stopping, i wasnt used to my legs not touching the ground, and also with my saddle so high i was with my whole bpody on the handle and feeling as if i was going to go OTB every time i braked.
Now, since i want to use this bike for long tours i am wondering if i should just get used to it becouse setting my saddle lower would cause strain and damage to my knees and its actually fine this way, or if i can just set my saddle lower than my handle and stretch the legs just 3/4th of the way when pedaling. In case i cannot do the latter, is there any way to getting a good leg stretch even with my saddle lower than my handle, maybe changing some settings or components? Or have i bought a wrong frame altogether/should have gone for an XL?
I included photos of my old MTB (first photo, giant fathom) and of my newer bike (second photo, giant toughroad) to give a reference of saddle height.
Also, sorry for any mistake, english is not my first language
I have recently bought this bike and recommend it. Good range of gears (even if at a 21inch crawling gears it can feel harder to push on steeper uphills) extremly lightweight for a touring bike, and its drives amazing on all terrains
Rn a full disassemble and reassemble is not within my abilities, for the shorter training trips (1-3 days) i think knowing how to fix a flat is enough, for my longer trip, i'd aim at knowing how to fix any common deiralleur problems too, i'll never be far from a shop anyway and i think that'll suffice
i've watched a lot of videos but i am yet to start actually putting in practice what i've learned, prob i should get tinkering
thanks for the suggestion! i surely need to become more confortable with tires maintenance, and chains too, i have watched a lot of tutorial videos on most repairs, but one thing is to watch, the other is to do, i plan on doing some practice with tires repairs. As for the brake pads, since (expecially on my hardtail) those were the only thing separating me from going head-first into a tree, i've never touched those.
for my first tour i plan to be very close to civilization so that won't be a problem. I won't be stranded, but still I'd like to be able to fix the most common problems by myself. In my time doing cross country i havent yet broke a spoke, but i did have breaks problems once and shifter problems, and a good amount of flats, wich are the one thing i know how to solve. I'd like to start tinkering with my bike and learn more but i'm afraid i would do damages.
Thanks! I was planning on mainly cycling western europe, so i think the measures you guys suggested will be enough. As for repair, i am the least practical person there is, it took me an absurd amount of time to understand how to take off and on again the back wheel, let alone changing tires. As for spokes and adjusting derailleurs, i'll practice those before going on a long trip!
thanks a lot! i was also thinking of buying a U-lock, and i'll folow your reccomendations regarding panniers. One last thing i am worried about would be rain, not on my body as i can wear raincoats but on my shoes and socks. is there any way to mitigate this? the thought of doing several days cycling in wet shoes doesnt appeal to me
Hi! I've recently bought a bike that can be used for touring, and my intention was to fit some panniers in it and start to travel. I have a decent biking experience as i have used one for a few years, mostly for cross country, but no travel and camping experience, so I wanted to ask:
1) how to not have my bike stolen? I already had a bike stolen once, for a second of distraction and i am a bit paranoid in that regard. I'd like to stay in campings, but if I wanted to visit a nearby city on food, what should I do? leave the city at the campsite, ofc properly secured to a pole, or bring it with me in town and secure it there? And even if the bike is secured, how can i avoid my panniers being stolen? Also, are panniers universal for all/most racks or there are rack-specific panniers?
2) what bike repair and maintence skills should I aim to have once on the road, for shorter (2-5 days) trip? I already know how to fix a flat and clean a chain but thats basically it.
3) my old bike was an old electric hardtail so I don't really know how fit I am for uphill, for my new bike I chose something with easy gears, and it should have a 22 inch climbing gear. is it good or should have I gone lower?
Sorry for all the questions but I am very new to this, I've watched a ton of videos and other resources but was still left with some questions! And sorry for any mistake, I am not a native english speaker :)
P.S. Idk if it can be useful info, but i've bought a giant toughroad SRL 1
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Surely, its a robust bike and a european tour wont be much of a challenge for it as you probably wont face too tough conditionsĀ
Is this a good option for long Europe š¤
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