new to road bike -2 questions

[AuntPetunia]

Hello
I just got a road bike (Cannondale R500 Fem). Before I was doing some weekend rides on a hybrid type bike. I wanted to start training for some longer rides and maybe try for a Century
I have two questions. I have some pain in the middle of my shoulder blades. Is this normal?
Also I feel like I really have to reach to apply the brakes (I am a small woman with little hands) Will I get used to this or are their some brakes that have a shorter width- so that I don't have to stretch my fingers so far?
Thanks

[drplasma64]

Welcome! I'm a relative newbie here too, and I would say no it is not normal to have pain between your shoulder blades. I would guess you need some sort of handlebar adjustment, which your LBS should do for free. When I bought my old road bike back in the dark ages, I remember they had to give me a narrower handlebar, and a shorter stem, probably b/c I am small. Your hands should be placed about the same distance apart as your shoulders with your elbows slightly bent when you're in the drops, I think. Someone else I'm sure will chime in on this.

Regarding the brakes, all I can say is that I just got a hybrid for toting the kids around, and that thing stops WAY faster than my road bike...I was thinking that it was b/c my road bike has such old brakes & technology, but it may be that it is that way on purpose.

HTH

[CorsairMac]

Howdy Auntie: welcome to the board! If you get a chance there's a thread under open titled "getting to know you". Gives you some grins and giggles learning about us and - if you're so inclined - tell us something about you!


As for your question: go with what the Dr says, take it back to your LBS and make sure your handlebars are set right for you including width. As for the brakes, there should be an adjustment screw in the hoods that will allow you to move the levers closer to your hand. Your LBS should be able to make that adjustment for you also. They do make some WSD brake levers, you might ask your LBS about them, see if they carry them or can get them for you.

[Grog]

Sorry to slightly disagree DrPlasma but...

Between shoulderblades pain:
Normal? Yes and no. Depends on type of pain and how long you have been riding the new bike. Road bike position is very different from hybrid position and requires different muscles to work to support your back. At the beginning of this season it took me about 300 km (12 hours on the bike) to completely forget about that same part of my body... And other cyclists I know who don't use the trainer in the winter experience the same thing. BUT I am talking here about some kind of muscle soreness, not sharp pain. The latter could be caused by wrong positionning. Unless you experience such sharp pain, I'd let your body get used to the new bike for about 200 km before you change the fittings...

As for braking, I'm not sure. It doesn't sound normal to me that the road bike doesn't brake as fast as your hybrid if you apply the same pressure on the brake levers. When I'm in the drops (the curvy part of the handlebars) and brake, it BRAKES. If I'm on the hoods, it's usually more subtle, but still I can have the thing stop very fast if needed. Here again you have to develop a different set of muscles, too (in your hands). But it's a matter of security. You should discuss this fitting with your bike store knowledgeable people before you get into a situation where you have to brake and can't.

[AuntPetunia]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
The shoulder blade pain is not sharp -kind of a muscle thing.
As for the breaks -I feel I can't reach them. I think they break just as quickly -but my fingers don't stretch around them easily.
I will go back to the bike store and see what they can do.
Thanks again :)

[caligurl]

actually... i have the ultegra short reach brakes... and specialized (i think it's them) makes a little insert for shimano levers...

but the shoulder blade pain.. well.. i know i had pains when i first started riding cuz i wasn't used to the position.... i had pain between the shoulder blades on longer rides... most especially centuries.... i always assumed that was the nature of riding a road bike?

[KSH]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
The shoulder blade pain is not sharp -kind of a muscle thing.
As for the breaks -I feel I can't reach them. I think they break just as quickly -but my fingers don't stretch around them easily.
I will go back to the bike store and see what they can do.
Thanks again :)

I know how you feel about the brakes. I can only reach the lever with the tips of my fingers... not my entire hand. I have very small hands... for example, I wear a 4.5 ring size, on my ring finger!

But, I never thought it wasn't OK... I seem to stop just fine... with my finger tips.

If you get some answers at the LBS... please let us know! I never thought it would be possible to reach the lever with my entire hand!

[AuntPetunia]

I don't want to sound like I have a martyr complex or anything -but I found it annoying that my bike (I am about 5'2 and 118 1lbs) and my husbands bike (he is about 6' 3" and weighs about 200 lbs) have the same breaks!
I thought about emailing the bike manufacturer
;)

[KSH]

I don't want to sound like I have a martyr complex or anything -but I found it annoying that my bike (I am about 5'2 and 118 1lbs) and my husbands bike (he is about 6' 3" and weighs about 200 lbs) have the same breaks!
I thought about emailing the bike manufacturer
;)

Maybe this is why women buy bikes that are specifically designed for women.... so that things are made to fit our smaller bodies.

I wish I had tested one of those before purchasing my bike.

But, seeing how you can buy anything you need for a bike... I bet you can get handlebars and brakes that are made for a smaller frame... but then again, it sucks to spend more $$$$ to make the bike fit!

[bikerchick68]

AuntPetunia... they absolutely make a insert to "WSD" your brakes! I have them on my bike! Go to or call a couple LBS... maybe a high end shop and explain the problem... my LBS fixed it for free for me... took 'em all of 5 minutes and completely made a difference to me in my feeling safe on the road.

I ride a mens frame so it had the mens levers... a WSD bike should have WSD levers on it... that is certainly something the manufacturer should take care of...

as to the shoulder pain... yep, kinda normal if it's just achy... be sure you are holding your uppper body up with your core muscles and NOT leaning on your arms to support your body... you should have your hands on your handlebars lightly... that should help a little... and also drplasma is right on about the width of the handlebar... it's a common change as everyone is built differently and the builders just guestimate what size will work for the frame size...

[AuntPetunia]

Thanks again,
My bike is a ladies bike -that is why I am suprised they don't have different breaks. They made everything else on it smaller -Why not the breaks?
I will look into the inserts -mine are shimano breaks
Thanks

[Grog]

Actually my fingers don't wrap around the brakes when I'm on the hoods... They are somehow "on" the brakes, but not wrapped, that's for sure. It brakes nonetheless.

But on downhills I make sure I stay in the drops for better control, less slippage risk, etc.

[SadieKate]

Just to help everyone when they're going into the LBS. There are standard reach brake levers and short reach brake levers. There is no such thing as men's and women's brake levers (there are guys with small hands also!). Shimano road brakes can be adjusted with a shim made by both Shimano and Specialized. This shim only fits certain Shimano brake levers.

Mtb bike brake levers have much more variety to the general size and curve of the lever but some can be adjusted with a screw.

Using this terminology will spare you the total blank uncomprehending stare from the bike shop employee and earn you more credibility. Also notice that there is a difference between the brake lever which is mounted on your handlebars and the brakes (calipers or arms) themselves which are on your frame and squeeze the rim.

By the way, not all brakes are equal. Stopping power is very dependent on the design of the brake arms, the pivot points, the pads, etc. A modern day hybrid probably has linear brakes (aka V-brakes) which are very powerful. It is quite possible that an old road bike could have brake calipers that take longer to slow the bike. Some of the old less expensive components (and even modern inexpensive components) can be very wimpy. Components have come a long way, baby!

[SadieKate]

Aunt Petunia - I just checked the specs. I don't believe Tiagra has a short reach version (but I'm not a Shimano parts expert). Ask the shop and be sure the shim is actually installed in the levers.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RW5T.html

A Slim Shim may not be available for Tiagra levers. Again, ask your LBS. Some folks have been able to make a homegrown shim.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=9871

[drplasma64]

Grog - thanks for the explanation about shoulder pain. Now I'm VERY surprised that I didn't have any when I got back on my bike after a 15 year break - no one could by any stretch say that I have a strong core! :D

SadieKate - I guess I should consider upgrading my brakes (along with the shifters, crankset, freewheel....)!

AuntPetunia - my mind must have done a little mental hiccup when reading your post - you were clear on the brake issue and I totally answered something else. Sorry!

[SadieKate]

SadieKate - I guess I should consider upgrading my brakes (along with the shifters, crankset, freewheel....)!
"Honey, my bike's brakes are wimpy! They aren't safe. I need a new bike!"

Sounds good to me. Whatever it takes.

SK

[Sleek]

If your shoulder pain is just enthusiasm-overuse, here are some methods that helped me. I'm just finishing physical therapy for a shoulder problem under the scapula. Two techniques that helped me help myself were: a foam roller and pinkie balls (aka bonger balls). The foam roller is a 6" diameter 3' long solid cylinder that you can use in various ways. For a general upper back stretch you can lie on it perpendicular to your body, and roll up and down your back. Helps enormously.

If you have a particular muscular spot that hurts, try the pinkie balls. Like tennis balls on a drumstick, the handle is to allow precise placement. You lie on top of them or lean against a chair and diaphram-breathe.

I don't think you can get in any trouble with either of these two techniques, but use your own best judgement.

[AuntPetunia]

Definately going to the bike store- I will ask about the shims
Thanks for clearing up the terminology.
The road bike feels different -more so than I thought it would.
I checked my owners manual (duh) and it also said the lever reach could be adjusted -but needed to be done by a bike technician
You guys really make me feel welcome!