How does my bike fit me?

(this is response to Heifzilla's comments we had good suggestions, some people posted while I was writing this & context was lost)

That's because we're all divas like you & have had lots of experience with various aches & pains... Wrist pain used to a limiting factor for my riding... Lots of upgrades later, I'm now mostly fine.

My bf & I both basically bought the same bike maybe in 2007? He's done minimal to his bike, while mine's been completely pimped out to suit me ;) Basically the only thing that has been done to his bike is me saying "oh, look, I bought new handlebars that are gonna fix everything! Do you want my old pair of handlebars that were going to fix everything?"

However, it's nice that we don't appear to have the exact same bike anymore. Although, he thinks I'm ridiculous for how much I had to tweak when he's been absolutely fine.

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Originally Posted by Catriona

However, it's nice that we don't appear to have the exact same bike anymore. Although, he thinks I'm ridiculous for how much I had to tweak when he's been absolutely fine.

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DH is the same exact way :p He is riding the same bike he bought in high school, a 1985 Schwinn World Sport, and is perfectly comfortable on it. No issues at all. He adds the cool stuff, like new panniers/bags, nifty tail lights...crap like that. And I am spending my money on ergonomic grips and stuff. He says I'm a prima donna, high maintenance as usual, always having to complain about something :rolleyes: Well, ok, fine, but I try to explain to him that bikes in general are designed for *men*, not women. My bike is a 1998 model, it certainly is not a WSD, that's for sure. I think most men are lucky and never have issues, or just plain stupid and don't address the issues they have and just "deal with it" because that's the manly thing to do. :cool:

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Originally Posted by Heifzilla

DH is the same exact way :p He is riding the same bike he bought in high school, a 1985 Schwinn World Sport, and is perfectly comfortable on it. No issues at all. He adds the cool stuff, like new panniers/bags, nifty tail lights...crap like that. And I am spending my money on ergonomic grips and stuff. He says I'm a prima donna, high maintenance as usual, always having to complain about something :rolleyes: Well, ok, fine, but I try to explain to him that bikes in general are designed for *men*, not women. My bike is a 1998 model, it certainly is not a WSD, that's for sure. I think most men are lucky and never have issues, or just plain stupid and don't address the issues they have and just "deal with it" because that's the manly thing to do. :cool:

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I basically learned to switch parts and do a lot of the maintenance myself so I didn't have to ask him to do it and listen to the spiel about it.

But once he realized that I'm riding more than he does, and that I stopped a lot of the complaining I had early on after getting things right, he mostly has shut up. He still teases me about it, but he does admit when he does get on my bikes that they are a lot more comfortable than his...

He's been ogling my handlebars that I just put on because they're really comfortable and ergonomic, but fully admits that he would never ever pay that much for handlebars. I'll pay it because it makes me happy... if I flare my wrists up cycling, that's a week or two that I'm going around with aching wrists constantly. And while the pain isn't something I can't deal with, it's not something I want to deal with.

I still get a fair amount of teasing from him about how much I've spent on all this stuff and how hard I am to please.

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Originally Posted by Catriona

He's been ogling my handlebars that I just put on because they're really comfortable and ergonomic, but fully admits that he would never ever pay that much for handlebars.

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What type of handlebars did you get?

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Originally Posted by Heifzilla

What type of handlebars did you get?

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They're drop bars for my road bike, but they're these:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/135...-Handlebar.htm

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Originally Posted by Catriona

They're drop bars for my road bike, but they're these:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/135...-Handlebar.htm

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Niiiice! I've seen those type when looking online and think they are really cool looking. I bet they feel like silk to the touch or something, too. Very nice :)

They've got comfortable positions for my wrists.... And they look sleek :)

I can't say that I've really researched flat bars - I'm really not on my flat bar bikes long enough to notice a lot of wrists problems with them, but I've heard a lot of good things about the ergon bar trips.

If you think vibrations are contributing to your wrist issues - you can maybe look at getting some of the specialized flat bars that have the "zertz" inserts, they're supposed to dampen vibrations. I have 'em on my commuter... no idea whether they're doing anything. but they don't sell for all that much when they appear on ebay. (but I think they're oversized, so you might have a problem with your quill stem)

You can also get bar end plugs that are supposed to kill vibrations.

I have this type of bike:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rt/fiets-1.jpg

Those handlebars are really great. Especially when you're having wrist or neckpains...

I'm not a fitting expert, but you look VERY upright, even considering the type of bike. If it was me, I would be experimenting with putting on a stem with less rise and - if it was about the same length as your current one, having less of an angle would lower your handlebars and make your reach longer, which should put you in a better position overall....just my two-pennies-worth...

Also, just noticed your tyres look a bit flat - do you pump them up to the pressure given on the sidewall? It makes riding so much easier and more efficient...

I was thinking about this thread as I cycled to work this morning on my hybrid. I looked at my wrists: they were in straight line with my arms and hands, not bent at all.

I think anything else would be quite painful...

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Originally Posted by papaver

I have this type of bike:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rt/fiets-1.jpg

Those handlebars are really great. Especially when you're having wrist or neckpains...

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What type of bars are those?

tantrum: DH says my tires are at the pressure they are supposed to be. I will check again, though.

I tweaked my grips so that my wrists are straight when I ride but I still feel like I am leaning on them too much. So I made conscious efforts to not lean on them so much and I realized how weak my core is. It's pretty hard for me to hold myself up like that without leaning forward a lot. So I need to start working on that. I brought my seat up juuuuust a tiny bit (maybe 1/4", if that) because when my leg was at full extension I was pushing hard into the pedals. That seemed to help, too. I also very consciously brought my elbows in and down (instead of elbows locked and pointed outwards) and relaxed my shoulders. This also helped to show me how weak my core is because I could only do it for a few minutes at a time before I had to lean into the handlebars again.

So, I think I have some good ideas now where my issues lie. You have all been very helpful.

Now if the weather would cooperate. I'm sick of rainy, chilly days! Spring is coming so late this year :(

If you feel like your weight is pushing your hands onto the bars, try sliding your saddle further back on the rails. If its all the way back, try a more laid back seat post.

Learn how to use a pump and pressure gauage, its not very hard. You need to put air in every couple of days. I agree, at least in the pics your tire pressure looks low, or perhaps you need higher pressure tires.

@ heifzilla: they are called butterfly bars... just google them.

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Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl

Learn how to use a pump and pressure gauage, its not very hard. You need to put air in every couple of days. I agree, at least in the pics your tire pressure looks low, or perhaps you need higher pressure tires.

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I know how to use a pump and pressure gauge, DH was just the last person to check them.

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Originally Posted by papaver

@ heifzilla: they are called butterfly bars... just google them.

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Probably can't use a gripshift with those, though?

I wanted to say that I think I have solved my hand numbness issue. I picked up a set of those butterfly bars (and only $15 at the lbs, score!) that papaver recommended, and what a difference. I love these bars! The moment I started riding with them I could feel the difference. My hands are light on the bars, my elbows bent and not poking outwards like they were, and I am not leaning into the bars anywhere the way I was. I had to jury rig the shifters and my ergon grips, and my brake levers are on the outside far side of the bars because they wouldn't fit with my grips and shifters, which is not great. So I ordered some dual shifters so I will have enough room for my shifters, brakes and grips where I want them. Right now the bars kind of look like a hack job, but I'm not going for The Look, I am going for comfort so I will enjoy riding my bike. Once I get the new shifters, that will take care of that. So again, thanks to everyone who came up with suggestions and tips. I really do appreciate it.