Hi, on my ride last Saturday I had difficulty breathing. It seemed my belly couldn't expand fully unless I constantly pushed my body back and was more bent. I am thinking that I need to raise the seat, but am concerned that I will put more weight on my arms. Right now I cannot ride without some weight on my arms, and I think that a proper fit would mean that I can sit fully upright. Is that true?
Also, I was wearing street clothes, including a belt to hold up my too loose jeans.

At this point, I don't know if it is my bike, my clothing, or just my belly.

I am riding an old Schwinn LeTour, a road bike with drops. The only really comfortable hand position for me is riding with my hands over the brack hoods. I am not flexible enough to ride confortably on the drops, and I don't trust myself to reach the brakes in time in any other position. Also, my bike has suicide levers, and I don't want to get in the habit of using them. As a teen, I used them exclusively, through ignorance.

Mary