my beautiful new bike came, a road bike especially designed for seniors and I had to get XS. It was scary at first, I put the pedals on and bought a 4 5 6 torque wrench, straightened the handlebars, put a tiny bag under the saddle with spare inner tube and a very small pack with CO2 cylinders, tyre levers and patches. I also put an ortleib handlbar bag on the front, all I carry in it is emergency info such as ICE and maybe a waterproof, nothing heavy because the bike is twitchy
I ordered it with a rear luggage carrier and have made little filling pads so that my panniers don`t wobble, a piece of leather and black electrical tape x 4. I have smaller black panniers that fit well
I had my second and longer ride this morning and am getting used to the similarity to riding a thoroughbred, learning the gears and quite honestly took all the hills in my stride. The saddle is thin, long and pointy so I am going to put a brooks b17 lady saddle on when the special 8 nm torque wrench arrives, I tested the saddle on my very heavy bike (3 x the weight) and it felt fine, wider and shorter. The more I use it the more comfortable it will become
I raised the handlebars by re-positioning a spacer and lowered the seat a tad
So I am mobile and not far off being confident enough to wear my lycra from `fat lad at the back`, I`ll do that when I don`t have a starting wobble
The bike is this one
www.islabikes.co.uk/product/bikes/icons/janis/
some of you will understand when I say I found a white feather in my vegtrug on my way in after my ride. My lycra racing cyclist husband would thoroughly approve of my antics. He very much rated islabikes for children and would be delighted that they are now designing bikes for seniors
Heated Brush recommendation,please.