Another Bike Setup Q

[laughlaugh18]

I went to my first spinning class the other night. It was a lot of fun, but the bike really, really was not made for me. I'm 5'2". Outside, I ride a 15 1/2" WSD bike with an even shorter than standard stem (I have shoulder issues, and am not supposed to overreach). My outside bike is really comfortable for me, but I simply could not get the spinning bike set up to feel good. When I set the seat fore/aft properly for my legs, the reach to the handlbars felt really far. I kept locking out my elbows to balance myself between seat and handlebars, and I know that's really bad.

I've read the other posts in this thread and all you instructors have some great recommendations (the front left outside of my knee also was painful, and the recent posts on knee pain gave me some good ideas). So, anyone have any ideas on how to get a more comfortable reach for me? Is there an attachment for the handlebars of a spinning bike to make a shorter reach for a shortie like me? Any other work-around?

Thanks, Cathy

[missymaya]

Well, when I used to spin, if I was uncomfortable in my upper body (after being or trying to be relaxed) and I would put my hands together at the center of the handle bar (position 1 but not so stringent on hand positioning) and I found that it helped some. Also, check the horizontal seat position to make sure that your body isn't too far from the bars without impeding on your knee position when pedalling.

[Raindrop]

Are you riding on a bike that only has holes in the stems, or do the bikes have micro-adjustments?

I have been intructing for 10 years and am on the short side (a little over five foot tall), but have a problem if the bikes don't have micro adjustments.

If I were setting you up, I would probably set the handlebars a little higher than you're used to riding with on your outdoor bike, and move it as close as the adjustments allowed.

Of course, I'm saying this without seeing you, but it's been my experience that the clients that have shoulder issues do better with a higher setting on the handlebars.

I hope you can resolve this issue. Indoor cycling can be a great way to stay ahead of the game when it comes to your outdoor cycling.

[laughlaugh18]

Raindrop,

The spin bike only has holes on the stems; no micro adjustments (I'll check to see if all the bikes are like that).

Unfortunately, the handlbars were set at their highest height (any further up and they're off the bike; I checked!), and they didn't have any adjustment to move the handlebars towards me. Are there spin bikes that actually have those adjustments?

[aicabsolut]

Lemond spin bikes have a handlebar fore/aft adjustment.

My current gym uses these. I have a hard time getting comfortable on them, even though I'm definitely in an ok height range.

There's another kind that does too...but it might just be on older models. I'm blanking on the brand...

What about moving the seat a little more forward than you have it now and a notch higher to make up for the reach? Does that feel really funky on your legs?

I used to be at a gym that had bikes that adjusted like yours. There were several people who couldn't take the classes because the bikes were too big for them.

[Raindrop]

Actually there are quite a few different indoor bikes used for indoor cycling that micro-adjustment capability and not just the push-pin holes.

I would ask your instructor to check your set up. When you are in the saddle and your leg is extended toward the bottom or 6:00 position, foot level, you should have a very minimal bend in your knee. Then, leveling your feet (three and nine o'clock positions) have the instructor check (either eyeballing it, or better yet, with a plumb line) that the forward knee angle, lines up with the pedal spindle or the ball of the foot. Then, pedal a few times to make sure your hips aren't rocking in the saddle.

You might even try visiting some other clubs...try out different bikes....they aren't all the same. Neither are the instructors.

I always set up new participants, and eye-ball everyone's set-up before class and I have three soon to be four indoor cycling/Spinning certifications, all of which specified how to set up clients on the bike. It's unprofessional not to pay attention to that detail.