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Prior to my birthday in July I took my 2003 Trek 4900 (pictured at the right) in to my local Trek dealer to get serviced because the shifting is all out of alignment and I had a really hard time on our last 40 mile ride. They told me the entire groupset (derailleurs, gears, chain - basically the whole kit and kaboodle) was worn out and quoted me over $400 to replace it. My wife suggested that I look for a new bike and I settled on the 2019 Marlin 7 (pictured to the left.) Initially my wife balked and long story short no new bike for my birthday so I put it on my Xmas list. Frankly I was surprised to find it next to our miniscule Xmas tree.

I've only put 10 miles on it but so far I'm pleased. My old bike was too small for me and I was getting leg cramps from the bad fit. The new bike is actually 2 sizes bigger (19.5" frame, size L) and the tires are 3" bigger (29" diameter) and it's like riding a monster truck in comparison. The increased size means the bike feels faster and is more stable than my old one.

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~ Neil

Congratulations Neil. It's a very nice bike!

I'm still shy about getting back on my new bike after I did more damage to my fractured heel. It was totally my fault. I had no business trying to ride it with a heel fracture.

My bike is made for people from 5'4" to 6'2", but it's made differently than many bikes, with a pedal forward design. They also did something with the seat so it's at more of an angle that gives leg room. But, by bike isn't nearly in the same league as yours.

I'm glad you got your bike. Santa did good!

Sorry to hear that Diane. Years ago I hyperextended my big toe while running after a wandering child. That ended my running days and is a big reason why I prefer bicycling. Aside from the occasional broken arm and run in with dehydration and hyperthermia I find it's generally lower impact!

That being said, I think you need to talk to your podiatrist and/or physical therapist - and maybe take a trip to your local bike shop (LBS) and see if the bike could be fitted better. Did you exacerbate your injury by planting your foot or falling?

FWIW I've read that with regards to legroom, the idea is to be able to extend your leg with only the slightest of bends on the downstroke. When seated on the saddle but standing still you should be on your toes, not you heel. On my old bike, I had to raise the saddle pretty high to make that happen and leg cramps were a real issue.

That's not an issue at all with my new bike (so far) but now my biggest gripe is that the seat does not drop any lower than what you see. The concern here is now that I can not get up off the saddle and lean back when free rolling downhill. Fortunately, 29ers have a reputation for being much more stable than 26ers. The longer top tube also means that I have to lean forward slightly more, but I prefer to think that that's more aerodynamic for long straightaways and somewhat beneficial on steep climbs - albiet potentially hard on the lower back.

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~ Neil

I did a dumb thing. Remember, it's been 25+ years since I've been on a bike. As I was getting off of the bike with my fractured heel on the ground, the bike rolled forward as i was getting off, causing me to go up on the toes of that foot, tearing the ligament in my heel. I should have kept the hand brake on, while swinging my leg over. It was a stupid thing to do. I shouldn't have been trying to ride with the fractured heel.

It finally healed, and I have special orthotics to correct how I stand, so I need to get back on it. I have a severe balance problem, so I need to be able to straddle the bike, with both feet on the ground quickly. The bike allows me to do this, yet I seem to have the right amount of stretch when I ride. I'm not short for a woman at 5'8". The bike is comfortable for me to ride, I just need to get used to riding again.

I'll probably take your advise and get it professionally fitted. I think it's a good idea.

I did something similarly absentminded when I flipped my bike. It sounds like that accident could have been avoided if you'd just eased on the brakes so that you came to a stop slowly, then keep pressure on the brakes as you dismounted.

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~ Neil