New Bike - Fit Issues

OK, I picked up my new bike today. I was not able to take the bike out for a test ride right from the shop as I had intended, as a family issue came up. But, I did take it out for a short ride this afternoon. Now, this is my first road bike, I was on mountain bike flat bars until now. Yes, I was fitted, and this bike was adjusted to my specs with new wds bars, different stem and seat. This is what I felt on my first ride:

I felt as if my weight was all on my hands.

Shortly into the ride, I started to feel pain in my right elbow. (I had tendinitis in that elbow 2-3 years ago, and I do NOT want to deal with that again -- it took FOREVER to clear up last time.)

I found myself putting my hands up near the stem in an attempt to get the weight off my hands.

Started to feel mild stinging between my shoulder blades.

The rest of me felt fine (hips, lower back, butt, legs).

I sent an e-mail to the LBS (they were closed by the time I took my ride). I don't expect to hear from them until Monday. So, I appreciate feedback from you experience riders. Thanks!

Louise,

I'm no expert, but I'll take a stab.

What's your handlebar height in relation to your seat height on your road bike? Is it about level, or are the handlebars lower than the seat?

What's the handlebar height on your "old" bike in relation to the seat?

My guess is that you sat more upright on your old bike, which puts less weight on the hands. If this is the case, I think you have a couple of options:

1. See if you get used to the new height on the road bike. (May not be a good option, given your history with tendinitis.)
2. Have your LBS change out the stem so it's higher.

As far as the shoulder pain, when you put your hands on the tops of the bars (near the stem), they were probably closer together, which can result in shoulder pain. If you rode with the hands on the tops of the bars, but further out toward the brake hoods, did that feel better?

I'm sure others will have good advice, and definitely have your LBS weigh in. If I remember correctly, you had someone work with you on the fit, so it sounds like they know what they're doing and can make minor adjustments when you tell them what hurt during your first ride.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

-- Melissa

Yes, handlebars are lower than the seat. I spent my ride on the hoods. I'm all new to the road bike, so I wasn't going to venture too far from the brakes for too long! I did sit up on the bars once or twice for just a couple of seconds because the elbow was hurting, but quickly went back to the hoods.

I agree that I might have to get used to it, but I haven't had any pain in that elbow for 2-3 years -- I had forgotten about the tendinitis until today. I had that for a year, and I'm not about to risk it happening again!

Thanks. I'm sure the LBS will get back to me as soon as they can. Anyone else care to add a voice to this?

I've recently made the same change, from a flat bar to a bar with drops. I still don't use the drops! You might want to give it a chance before you change anything. Since you are getting accustomed to everything being in a different place you probably aren't moving them around enough. You get used to them quicker than you think.

HTH,

I would recommend changing to a longer stem (or flipping yours over if it's flat rather than angled up) so that your bars are the same height as - or no more than 1" below - your saddle. That seems to be the most common position for female road riders who don't race. Men can have a lower handlebar because they typically have longer arms. I can ride a road bike with bars equal to saddle height very comfortably but would have upper body problems if my bars were much below my saddle.

Your LBS can help you with the stem. Good luck!

Emily

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

I would recommend changing to a longer stem (or flipping yours over if it's flat rather than angled up) so that your bars are the same height as - or no more than 1" below - your saddle. That seems to be the most common position for female road riders who don't race. Men can have a lower handlebar because they typically have longer arms. I can ride a road bike with bars equal to saddle height very comfortably but would have upper body problems if my bars were much below my saddle.

Your LBS can help you with the stem. Good luck!

Emily

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I agree with Emily....except be sure to understand that she means a TALLER/HIGHER stem, not a "longer" stem, which would actually put MORE weight on your hands. Speaking of that- you might want to consider a taller and SHORTER stem (ask your LBS to explain this seeming contradiction if you are totoally confused now). I changed last week to a shorter stem (which brought my handelbsars closer to me), and it really helped eliminate the "falling onto my hands" feeling. And yes, having your bars more similar to the height of your seat may help you be more comfortable.

I had the exact same problem! I kept looking at pics of women on road bikes on TE, and most have the seat the same height as the bars, and mine was lower, so I went into the lbs today and came home with an adjustable stem. I angled it so that the seat is even with the bars. Ahhhhhh....made all the difference! I feel more in control of the bike, also. The adjustable stem is a tad heavier, but they didn't have any that angled up enough. Good luck! As they say on these forums, when you get it right, you'll know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Speaking of that- you might want to consider a taller and SHORTER stem (ask your LBS to explain this seeming contradiction if you are totoally confused now).

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Yes, Lisa, I understand the difference between taller and shorter. I think that is the way I need to go, too.

I'm on my way out for a morning ride to see how it feels today. Certainly, this is going to take some adjustment, but I should not be in pain when I ride, that much I know! Thanks everyone!

If your hands hurt, it definitely means they are bearing too much weight. That can be for a number of reasons. Certainly they could be too low (I too like my bars level with my saddle) or too far away, as has been mentioned. Your saddle could be tiliting down, throwing your weight on your bars. Your balance on the bike also could be off, you may need to move both the saddle back and the bars closer/higher (but this also depends on your KOPS position which the LBS should have looked at). Lastly, you may need to develop the abdominal and back strength needed for a drop bar bike. Think of your bars as a resting place, not a place that should be supporting your body. I think a visit to your LBS is in order.

I have my bars about an inch ABOVE my saddle height. And, as Martha sez, "it's a good thing."

(and quill stems... also a good thing when playing with bar height)

LBS got my message and responded tome last night. He said he thinks stem may need to be a cm higher and hoods moved a bit higher as well. He got back to me on a Sunday evening -- not bad service! I'll keep you posted.

In addition to stem height that is discussed, remember to keep your arms "soft". You should not have elbows locked and it should be as if your arms are floating. It is weight that is tiring them. To let your arms float, that means CORE strength. Yoga or, my personal favorite, pilates will give you that strength. I used to have a tired upper back and lower back on biking and now, after 2 years of hard core pilates, particularly in winter, my arms can just float there and I don't get these issues, since my back and abs support the upper body for hours, even if I am in the drops.

In addition to what everyone else has said about stem length, angle and whatnot... Have you checked your seat? If it's too far forward, than in order to hold your body up, you'll lean on your hands. Farther back, and you can take your hands off the bars without falling on your face. Same for seat angle. Check to make sure you're not a little nose down. These things you probably wouldn't notice too much in your seat/lower back.

Hi, everyone! I had the bike adjusted at LBS on Thursday. Stem and hoods were both moved just about 1 cm higher/closer. What a difference a cm can make! Elbow pain is gone! So is the mild burning between the shoulder blades!

Absolutely, no locked elbows here. I know better than that. I've been weight training for years and know locked joints are never a good thing.

Core strengthening -- we could all use more of it. I do a lot of ab work at the gym. I don't do Pilates or yoga, mainly because they don't do classes t the gym I go to, and I'd have to find extra time to sign up for a class. Single Mom, two teens, job ... time is at a premium!!

You guys are great. Keep the tips coming.

I do yoga/pilates DVDs at home. In fact, when my kids were young I did a lot of exercise videos when I couldn't get outdoors or to a gym to work out. I have a great DVD I do that came with an exercise ball (gaim brand) that builds core strenght that my PT recommended. Its only ~15 minutes but really good. I also do spinervals on my bike in the trainer when its too wet to ride outdoors.