I picked up this Kona Penthouse but can’t ride it. I love the frame but the wheels are too slick, seat too narrow (I’m 200+ female big booty Judy) and the knees hit the handlebars.
I’d like straight bars, wheels with traction and a comfy seat. Please any suggestions for a noob.
Oh and the pedals are clipped?
by According_Trainer418
30 Comments
Full coverage fenders and a chain/cog cover. Gotta keep those pants sparkling
Assuming the size fits:
* Change the saddle. Cost for saddle is typically $30-$100, depending on saddle.
* Change the pedals. Cost for platform pedals is around $20.
* Then ride.
If the size doesn’t fit you, then don’t bother changing the handlebar. It won’t make it fit any better. And it is not worth the cost.
And why are there like soap suds on the bike?
Pedals and saddle are easily replaced, but tire clearance will likely limit you. Google says you can fit a cx/gravel tire of around 32 mm, which will have more tread and be a little wider and feel more stable.
If your knees are hitting the handlebars, you might need to raise the saddle or it might just not fit you correctly.
I hate to say it, but this might be the wrong bike for you.
Go to work on it.
Flip the stem around and install some bars with a bit of rise. I changed the stem and bars on a mt bike and I like it a lot.
Ride it to work. Done.
Along with the other good recommendations here, as a fellow Canadian, you may want to consider a bike that can fit wider tires than this one. This is fine for better weather days but if you want to ride in the snow or ice those skinny tires can get very sketchy.
Plenty of people only bike commute in the less-cold seasons though, so if that’s your goal adjustments others have recommended should be fine.
“the **wheels are too slick**, **seat too narrow** (I’m 200+ female big booty Judy) and the **knees hit the handlebars**… Oh and the **pedals are clipped**?”
There is a remote chance that this could be the wrong bike for you.
Since your knees are bumping into the drop bar, you could get a stem riser. Or you could get a handlebar with some added height, like a BMX bar or another flat bar with a longer stem, but those aren’t compatible with your brake levers AFAIK so you’ll have to change those too. How bad are your knees hitting it? So, I’m thinking my first suggestion, a stem riser, would be the easiest and cheapest route. There are tons of vids on Youtube on how to install a stem riser yourself. It’s pretty easy. That yellow on black color looks fantastic BTW! Personally, I would keep the drop bars cuz it looks tight and fast. Some full coverage black fenders would look pretty cool on there too. Do you have eyelets on the front fork and near the rear wheel to mount fenders on? For the tires, I suggest Schwalbe Marathons. Buy flat pedals, which are easy to install by yourself too. Just remember, the left pedal (non-drive side, opposite the chain) is threaded differently and must be removed by turning the wrench clockwise and screwed in counter-clockwise (reverse threaded).
Full fenders. Rear cargo rack. Front & rear lights. High quality lock.
100% mudguards. Nothing worse than arriving at work with a mud up your crack
Why did you buy a drop bar bike if you wanted a flat bar bike? All the controls are totally different.
Anyway,.add fenders. A rack. Lights.
Fenders and rear rack. Add and modify more, if needed, after you’ve commuted for a few weeks.
Were you riding in a snow storm?
Easy. Ride it to work. Bam! You made a commuter
Sounds like this is the wrong bike for you. Even if you change out all compartments the geometry is in such a way that you have a short twitchy road bike. Great if that is what you are looking for. You probably also would want to make sure you can mount fenders on this thing and a rear rack.
PS those are called clippers pedals. Yeah we know it doesn’t make sense, but that is what they are called.
In which place do your knees hit the handle bars? In the straight part or the tip?
If you’re a noob, have you been informed about proper seat height yet? It kills me to see people riding bikes with their knees all scrunched up, wish I could help them. Anyways, it is really important that your legs fully extended as you pedal the bike. Im a 200+lbs dude that’s about your height. I know we’ll be built different, but I’d still expect a medium frame to fit similarly (I ride a size medium). I’m thinking your body position on the bike might be incorrect.
If your knees hit the drop bars, the frame might simply be too small for you. Do you like the frame because of how it looks or because it your riding posture feels comfortable on it?
Moving to a straight bar would require you to change the brakes and shifter system, which could end up costing you as much as just buying a new bike that already has that stuff.
Swapping out tires is easy enough that any curious person could learn to do it in an hour, but your frame and fork need to have room for them. I can’t tell from these pictures what the frame model is or how wide of tires it can handle.
Overall I’m guessing you will be more satisfied if you get a different bike that already has what you want. You should only put in the time and money to modify this bike if the frame has sentimental value to you, or if you want a project as a way to learn about bicycle maintenance.
1 – Take it to your LBS and see if the frame fits your frame first. If it fits,
2 – Trickiest part might be finding wheels and tires that you like and that fit the frame
Rest – then swap out the handle bars and possibly the stem to give you more clearance. Get a different saddle. Get some commuter/regular pedals.
Keep in mind seats get stolen quickly and easily. Pro-tip: cover unused corner with a small square of duct tape to make it look ripped. Or just rip it. Or take your seat with you.
You probably want a different bike. That’s the most cost effective option for what you’re asking.
Swap pedals and seat would be a good start though.
Otherwise you’re looking at changing handlebars to straight bars, that means new brakes and shifters which can be really annoying to find, especially cheap ones. Tyres won’t go much bigger or more grippy and frame won’t get any bigger, though might feel it with a new stem raising handlebars.
Personally, I’d be looking for an old mountain bike that you could put slick tyres on in the summer and bigger tyres on when it’s snowy. I’d be looking for one with no or minimal suspension travel for road commuting.
What a beauty! Honestly, go to a bike shop and get a bike fitting service.
Who sold you a bike that doesn’t fit you?
Shameless.
Ride it.
Honestly I would put some nice supple tires and lights. That’s about all for a commuter
I’m so confused, why that bike, it’s like you’re trying to turn a sports car into an SUV. At the cost of a seat, handlebars, shifters, brake levers, grips, cables and housing, stem, possibly pedals (not exactly needed as those pedals have a flat side and a clip side), tires, and labor. That’s not to mention things that actually make it a “commuter” like fenders, lights, racks, bags, bell, etc. Tire clearance is an issue if 32mm is the max width because you can’t fit fenders and fenders are a must (and possibly mud flaps) if you’re actually riding to work otherwise you’ll be a mess every day you get to work. Seriously, invest in a different bike, you’ll end up spending about the same amount to do the whole conversion and the bike will still come up short of what you need than just buying a commuter bike off the rip.
Consider a rear rack or front basket. (or both) the rack will allow you to use panniers to carry your stuff instead of a backpack.
Getting the weight off your back is a big deal on a bicycle. It allows for significantly better airflow over your body so you can arrive at work without having a big backpack shaped sweaty spot on your back. (the backpack is warmer in the winter though)
If the frame doesn’t have mounting points for the rack you can use a seat post clamp rack.
Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175910134610
A cheap set of panniers can easily carry your lunch & daily stuff.
Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/177174311173
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A set of fenders will be useful in wet weather. I’m not sure if this bike was designed to accommodate fenders.
You should be able to use the plastic zip tie fenders though. They don’t offer as much protection as traditional fenders, but some protection from mud and water is nice.
Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/406595833873
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Lights, locks, phone holder, bluetooth bike glasses, helmet and other bike accessories are good ideas as well.
Schwalbe Marathons, a rack, if you live in a rainy area, fenders, and it’s a commuter.
28c continental Grand Prix is a 30c real measurements it is comfortable for these Belgium fucked up roads it should be comfortable in any other country