Having a hard time adjusting...

[Kerry1976]

I purchased a nice used 2007 Fuji Finest in December. Since, I have put on 245 mi, basically all on the trainer.

I had thought by now I would be more used to the posture of a road bike. However, it is simply uncomfortable. I spend most of the ride playing with my arms, moving my hands, shaking out an uncomfortable left elbow, etc.... When I did a few rides outside, my wrists/arms/shoulders were killing me after just a mile or two.

I seem to be most comfortable in the drops, but even that is something I can't seem to do for long.

After a ride of any speed or length, my legs seem to be appropriately tired but fine. My upper body, on the other hand, will often hurt into the next day.

Is this normal? Do I just need to chill out and live with it?

Today I just wanted to spin. It was to the point of being annoying in terms of my upper body that I considered taking my road bike off the trainer and putting my Trek Pure Lowstep on. But boy do I love the different gears, etc....

[zoom-zoom]

When I first got a road bike I found that my neck and shoulders did NOT like that posture...but it did get better once I had been riding a few hours every week. Probably took a few months.

Everything hurts on the trainer. I wouldn't use the trainer as a good measure of fit or comfort.

Another thought, are you tensing up in any way or maybe pushing too hard a gear? What's your cadence like? Is your front wheel elevated?

[Kerry1976]

I have not had a professional fitting. My LBS didn't even offer that when they assembled the bike for me. It was kinda like - "here's your bike. have a nice day."

The LBS did mention spacers that kept the handlebars slightly up. It may be that I need to remove a spacer or two. Right now, budget is not on my side and I'm having a hard time wanting to spend more at the LBS.

My wheel is elevated. My cadence prob runs on the slower side - I tend to mash the gears (I did the same on my Pure) - and that is something I'm working on. I really try not to tense up because I know that won't help anything. I really try to stay as relaxed as possible. (BTW - I keep the tension very low on my trainer)

[woohoo]

+1 for sorting out bike fit, but...

It's worth bearing in mind that the trainer can show up and magnify a lot of small problems. The bike I ride on my trainer is a bit big for me, and I really notice the stretch some days. But, I've ridden the same bike outside for ~15 years, and when I have traffic, scenery, terrain etc, I'm just not aware of the same fit problems. I guess it's because you're moving around more and thinking about it less. It'll still be better to sort out your bike fit, especially on a new bike, but don't lose hope with it or think that it'll never be a comfy bike for you :)

Also, it may help if you break things up. If you want to spin for a bit, you could increase your cadence, decrease the resistance and sit up for a few minutes: whatever works and gets you enjoying your bike! :D

[zoom-zoom]

Best way to avoid mashing the gears is to switch to an easier gear or two. You have the 305, right? Shooting for 80-90rpm is a great start.

So you think you'd be more comfortable with the handlebars lower? You could swap the spacers yourself, really. You might want an extra set of hands to help hold things as you tighten everything back down, but it's not a difficult thing to do. Derek has swapped spacers on both of my bikes.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, wait...I see that you want your handlebars higher. Are there spacers above your stem? If not, I'm not sure if you can get it any higher. You'd need to swap spacers from above the stem to put under your stem.

[zoom-zoom]

But you could try a less angled stem, flipping your existing stem (assuming that will raise it, not lower it), or a shorter stem.

[Kerry1976]

Oh, wait...I see that you want your handlebars higher. Are there spacers above your stem? If not, I'm not sure if you can get it any higher. You'd need to swap spacers from above the stem to put under your stem.

Not necessarily. I'm almost wondering if removing a spacer or two would help (if that is even what I should be saying - they might not be removable?). Totally not sure though.

I'm back in Half Marathon running training, so my next ride is Friday, which happens to be a day off. Might be a fun time to pull out bike tools and play.

[indysteel]

I'd suggest you seek out a professional fitter; it doesn't have to be where you actually bought the bike. That degree of upper body pain suggests to me that you need a pro to look at you. It may be a simple fix; it might not. I've battled myself with upper body issues on one of my road bikes. I tried to work through it--to the detriment of the nerves in my hands.

[Kerry1976]

Indy, thanks. Actually I purchased the bike on eBay and our one and only LBS did the assembly. Might be a road trip in order to get a professional fitting.

[zoom-zoom]

Not necessarily. I'm almost wondering if removing a spacer or two would help (if that is even what I should be saying - they might not be removable?). Totally not sure though.

I'm back in Half Marathon running training, so my next ride is Friday, which happens to be a day off. Might be a fun time to pull out bike tools and play.

Tell your ankles to behave this time! ;)

You're pretty much stuck with the # of spacers your bike has...you can swap them up or down relative to your stem to move your stem up or down. You can't actually remove spacers without shortening the steer tube.

[Kerry1976]

Tell your ankles to behave this time! ;)

You're pretty much stuck with the # of spacers your bike has...you can swap them up or down relative to your stem to move your stem up or down. You can't actually remove spacers without shortening the steer tube.

Ah, okay. Now I get it. Bummer.

[Kerry1976]

Sounds like where I got my bike. And I agree that the trainer is a lot more uncomfortable than outdoor riding.

Find a new bike shop and use them from now on as $$ allows. That's what I did.

Maybe some local rider in your area could help you get close to a good fit until you can spend the money? Anyone on TE near?

Edit: look into local bike clubs and try to get to know some people.

I think I'm going to give my LBS a try first, since we don't have any other LBS's nearby. If that doesn't work, I'll go out of town. Thank you all so much for the wise advice. I need all the help I can get! :)

[Becky]

Can you post a pic of you on the bike? We might be able to give some better ideas....

[Kerry1976]

Let me think on the best way to do that. I live alone, so it won't be easy.

[WindingRoad]

Just a thought but you can rotate the handlebars up slightly to bring your riding position to more upright. That only requires an allen wrench.;)

[Owlie]

Kerry, while I strongly suggest a fitting, I had/still have the same problem. Just do short little rides, sub one mile if you need to. My arms and upper back have gradually gotten better, even though they start aching at about 15 miles or so.

The trainer is far worse than the road. There are curves and hills on the road that let you shift your weight around. If nothing else, there are stop signs that let you take a break!

[zoom-zoom]

Just a thought but you can rotate the handlebars up slightly to bring your riding position to more upright. That only requires an allen wrench.;)

That is a good recommendation. When I look at the photo of your bike I notice your handlebars are tipped way down...some people like that, but I find that I like mine best sorta horizontal to the ground with the hoods up a bit.

[zoom-zoom]

Here's a pic...the angle is a little weird because I'm lower than the bike and it's leaning against the garage, but you can kinda see how I have my handlebars set. Maybe something like that will be more comfortable for you.
http://zoomy.smugmug.com/photos/1123681719_rouA8-S.jpg

[Kerry1976]

This is all super helpful. I'm going to read the links and go from there. Also going to research bike fitters in the area and see what is available. Thank you all!

[Catrin]

This is all super helpful. I'm going to read the links and go from there. Also going to research bike fitters in the area and see what is available. Thank you all!

+1000 on the effectiveness of a professional fitter. Last summer one took a bike that was unrideable and turned it into my all-day-long bike. It was not an inexpensive process as we had to make quite large changes to my bike, but I have not regretted spending the money.

[Kerry1976]

+1000 on the effectiveness of a professional fitter. Last summer one took a bike that was unrideable and turned it into my all-day-long bike. It was not an inexpensive process as we had to make quite large changes to my bike, but I have not regretted spending the money.

I'm going to my LBS on Friday (I have Lincoln's Bday off work) so we can do some measuring and work. Wish me luck! This is a good way to start and then can move forward from there. Thank you all for your advice.

[Kerry1976]

Update:

Took the bike to my LBS today. We spent some time doing measuring, fit, etc. At first he kind of said that maybe I needed to just get used to the bike more. But then after we did some fitting, we found some definite areas for attention.

My seat was perfect in terms of height and position, except one important detail - it wasn't level. Even the LBS owner thought it was level, so we were stunned when we actually put the level on it and it wasn't.

He then checked for reach and believes I need a shorter stem and handlebars a little up. Unfortunately, he didn't have any stems my size and that would work on my bike in stock, so will have to order. His winter hours are Thurs-Sat, so it will be around this time next week. In the meantime, he did swap out one of the spacers that he had above the handlebars to below, so at least they would be up a little.

He did comment that my posture was right on - so that was good to know. All this is new to me.

I also had him make a check of my back tire since I changed it twice - once after the flat and once later to put on Conti GPs. The second time I changed it, I was sloppy and the skewer came out, so I just wanted him to verify it was on right before I ever got it outdoors. He said it was great.

I was also pleased, again, with the service I got from my LBS. It is a very tiny shop (we are a small town) and I really want to support it if I can. I look forward to seeing how everything feels this week with the extra spacer and seat at level, and then reacclimating next week with the new stem.

And thank you all for the great tips. I was putting off going in because I thought maybe I just needed to suck it up and get used to the different geometry. Your thoughts were confirmed by the LBS and while I know I will still need to work on upper body, etc., I'm on the right track. Again, thank you!!!!

[zoom-zoom]

Great news, Kerry! I'll bet you notice extra comfort right away. It's truly amazing how seemingly tiny tweaks can make such a HUGE difference.

[Kerry1976]

Great news, Kerry! I'll bet you notice extra comfort right away. It's truly amazing how seemingly tiny tweaks can make such a HUGE difference.

Thanks, Zoomy. Next time you are in Macomb maybe we can run and ride - but be prepared to be slow at both because I'm tons slower than you are!

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks, Zoomy. Next time you are in Macomb maybe we can run and ride - but be prepared to be slow at both because I'm tons slower than you are!

Keep riding and you won't be slower than I for long! :D

[marni]

Update:

I was also pleased, again, with the service I got from my LBS. It is a very tiny shop (we are a small town) and I really want to support it if I can. I look forward to seeing how everything feels this week with the extra spacer and seat at level, and then reacclimating next week with the new stem.



in addition to patronizing you LBS, the bike store guys always appreciate homemade goodies and or a six pack as a thank you. You will find them ever so accommodating if you go in on short notice. ;)

[Catrin]

in addition to patronizing you LBS, the bike store guys always appreciate homemade goodies and or a six pack as a thank you. You will find them ever so accommodating if you go in on short notice. ;)

Yep, I took my guys some home-made fudge between Christmas and New Years :)

I thought about beer, but wasn't sure how that might be considered...fudge seemed a safer choice.

[Kerry1976]

A partial update. Today I rode the bike with partial adjustment done - the seat was level and the handlebars were up (a spacer was swapped from above to below handlebars). The ride was SO much better! I'm still reaching a little too far, so I can't imagine how it will feel with the shorter stem! Can't wait until this time next week, when it should be done! :D

[f/64]

Core exercises def helps when it comes to cycling & posture.

One thing - some shops don't offer a great fit program unless it's a store that offers high end fittings such as Retul or so..

When they fit you, make sure that they don't change up your saddle fore/aft position (rails) to compensate reach. One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to fitting..

Cheers !

[Kerry1976]

When they fit you, make sure that they don't change up your saddle fore/aft position (rails) to compensate reach. One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to fitting..

Cheers !

Thanks! They checked it but said what I had was perfect. The only thing with the saddle changed was making it level.

[marni]

Yep, I took my guys some home-made fudge between Christmas and New Years :)

I thought about beer, but wasn't sure how that might be considered...fudge seemed a safer choice.

Yes, it can be chancy but my daughter is a home brewer and I usually have a 6 pack of something interesting hanging around so if she has extra, I treat them and the ones that drink are always asking about her and what she's brewing or hinting habout how much they would "love it if she would just brew a few more of those excellent........"

I am more prone to take in baked stuff, but around the holidays or if they have really gone the extra mile......

[lawnchick22]

Besides going and having a "professional" fit, are there some quick and easy rules of thumb regarding bike set up?

[indysteel]

Besides going and having a "professional" fit, are there some quick and easy rules of thumb regarding bike set up?

Here's a good primer on bike fit:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

[Kerry1976]

Update, so here goes. I thought this would be an expensive fix, so now feel really dumb that I put it off. The new stem and labor cost a whopping $32. And of course I got back the original stem so I can put it back on for when I sell the bike in the future.

I haven't ridden it yet with the new (shorter) stem, but look forward to doing so this weekend. I am in "running mode" now - training for a half marathon. For right now, biking is my "not running" (aka cross training) activity.

I also got a saddle bag for my bike, but it doesn't fit due to the wide seat posts on my Brooks. I'll have to keep looking.... so, back to the LBS to return it. The owner wasn't certain it would fit, so he won't be surprised to see me yet again.

Thanks again, everyone, for the wise advice.

[Kerry1976]

Glad to hear it worked for you.

There are special saddle bags that work with Brooks saddles. Usually a little $$, but so pretty!

Tonight I purchased a cheaper alternative from Etsy.com. I should receive in the next week or so. I'll let you all know how it works. The pictures show it being used on a Brooks, so I'm confident. Regardless, the cost was so little that I'm not concerned if it isn't exactly right.

But in the future, I will probably splurge on something nicer like some of the bags I saw on Wallbikes website.

[Kerry1976]

First ride on fully adjusted bike on trainer. As a summary - the LBS swapped out the stem for one significantly (like half) shorter and added a spacer to get the handlebars a little higher. Made a world of difference. Had my strongest ride yet.

[zoom-zoom]

Yay!!! :D