TarpitCarnivore
Member
I have a few questions, though:
1. How can I tell what size tires my rims can accommodate? Nothing helpful on Giant's website. I want something more rugged so I can do the Katy Trail which is gravel.
2. My butt bones are sore today. My bike came with a lower-end seat ($50 Giant Contact Forward), and I noticed I could upgrade to a nicer version ($175 Giant Contact SLR Forward). I'd have no problem spending the money if it meant more comfort. However, maybe my posture would be better off with a neutral or upright seat. How can I tell? I'd like to stick with Giant brand for the saddle, btw. I also noticed they have a saddle with a hole in the middle ($48 Flow 1 Mens) that supposedly relieves pressure. There are also some really big saddles that look comfy. I did read something about avoiding cushy saddles because they make your soft tissue sore. Any suggestions?
3. How many tire levers do I need in my saddle bag? I would think just one but every kit comes with at least two. You don't ever have to use them together at the same time, do you? Right now I'm carrying around 1 lever, 1 spare tube, 1 CO2 cartridge and inflator. Anything else I absolutely need for repairs?
1. It's a combination of the rim and clearance in the frame. I'm going to take a wild guess that it can do 28-33, someone measured and found the width of the rim http://www.lukegjpotter.com/2016/01/giant-px-2-wheelset-weight-width-and.html This may help you
2. Full stop: don't go changing your saddle. You're brand new to cycling, your ass is going to be sore no matter what. You may sit on a seat and have it feel good now, but in 45 minutes it feels like absolute hell on earth. Just make sure you're fit properly first (the bike shop should have done this).
2a. There is absolute no correlation between comfort and price. You will get 80000 different opinions on which seat is the best.
2b. Wider does not mean better. If you get a seat that is too wide for your arse you're going to put a ton of pressure on your soft tissue and be even more uncomfortable.
2c. There are various forms of pressure when on a bike and sometimes the pressure can just come from poor posture or initial sitting. Being more upright changes your whole body angle on the bike, so don't do this unless you're absolutely positive you want to be up more. Because if you ever decide to bend down you're going to be in some discomfort.
2d. Saddle positioning and angle is, IMO, the absolute most pain in the arse (no pun) thing to get figured out on a bike. I cannot stress enough that you should start with a bike fitting first. They will get you 99% of the way there if you do in fact end up in perpetual pain in the saddle. There is no perfect set up for a bike seat and some people spend years switching between them. We all have different butts and finding the right one is just never easy. I've tried 4 different seats and always find myself circling back to the one that works best, despite a minor annoyance. This is in spite of reading nothing but glowing reviews on two I ordered (Brooks Cambium & Fabric Scoop [still trying this one out]).
3. You can get by with 1, but there' so small and light why not carry two? Sometimes you may need the second to help with seating a tire after replacing a tube. As for other items, I would recommend a good multi-tool that meets your needs. Don't go nuts buying one of those 50 in one items with chain breakers and shit like that. Just get something with some basic bike stuff you, as yourself, can comfortable adjust: screw drivers, allen keys, etc. I carry the CrankBrothers M19 (https://www.crankbrothers.com/tools_M19) and while it has some stuff I'll never use, it's super small and compact so I'm ok with having it there. I would definitely carry around an extra CO2, or 3, if you can fit them. Trust me, you're going to hit a point where the damn thing doesn't sit right. I also recommend 2-in-1 pumps like Lezyne's pressure drive (http://www.lezyne.com/product-CO2-cfh-pressdrivecfh.php). I've run out of CO2 and having the hand pump option was beneficial.