argh... the continuing saga of bike fit

**spokewench** · 07-28-2006, 01:43 PM

Maybe a shorter stem - don't know the length you have? Also, the tip above that I can't remember who said it - how much lower are your handlebars than your seat - take a level long one if you have it. Put it on your seat extend it towards your handlebars, make the bubbles center up. measure the distance between the handlebar and hte edge of the level. That is how much drop you have from your seat to the handlebar. You will want it to be about even maybe a little lower - If you need to come up with it, try adjusting this with a stem - they make stems that have different rises and in different lengths. Your bike shop should be able to provide different ones to try before you have to buy one.

**lnewv5** · 07-28-2006, 01:52 PM

When I got my road bike, I had some of the same issues - afraid to take my hands off the handlebars, twitchy-ness, etc., and it was all because I wasn't comfortable yet. I have a standard "male" bike instead of a WSD. I have a really short torso, but I also have long legs and long arms, and it fit me better. Sometimes I felt too stretched out, but like I said, the major issue was comfort. I wasn't ready for how responsive, light, and fast my road bike was going to be. This may sound silly, but something that helped me a lot was riding my bike on a trainer regularly. It really helped me become comfortable with the position I was in, without the "environmental" worries. It helped me learn a lot of where I should be distributing my weight and how I should feel on my bike.

On the other hand, if the bike doesn't fit you right, you're really not going to be able to be comfortable on it. But, if you were fitted professionally, I would give it a little time before you sold it and bought a new one because you may just run into the same problems all over again.

Good luck!

**mimitabby** · 07-28-2006, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by spokewench

Maybe a shorter stem - don't know the length you have? Also, the tip above that I can't remember who said it - how much lower are your handlebars than your seat - take a level long one if you have it. Put it on your seat extend it towards your handlebars, make the bubbles center up. measure the distance between the handlebar and hte edge of the level. That is how much drop you have from your seat to the handlebar. You will want it to be about even maybe a little lower - If you need to come up with it, try adjusting this with a stem - they make stems that have different rises and in different lengths. Your bike shop should be able to provide different ones to try before you have to buy one.

Spokewench,
my handlebars are HIGHER than my seat!

I am older and don't want the extreme position... i definitely don't want much weight on my arms.

at the bike shop they gave me a new stem (SOLD ME i mean!!)
it's long and at an angle.

I guess what i'm saying here is that I don't think there's too much more modifying of the bike that can be done; it IS probably long for me; But i will try relaxing at the shoulders and bending my elbows..
My commute home is all uphill and less stressful on the hands anyway; a good chance to practice.

**mimitabby** · 07-28-2006, 01:55 PM

the stem is about 8cm and at a 45 degree angle..
that is on top of a fork with a slightly longer neck on it.

i'll do a photo tonight if i can..

**mimitabby** · 07-28-2006, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by lnewv5

When I got my road bike, I had some of the same issues - afraid to take my hands off the handlebars, twitchy-ness, etc., and it was all because I wasn't comfortable yet. I have a standard "male" bike instead of a WSD. I have a really short torso, but I also have long legs and long arms, and it fit me better. Sometimes I felt too stretched out, but like I said, the major issue was comfort. I wasn't ready for how responsive, light, and fast my road bike was going to be. This may sound silly, but something that helped me a lot was riding my bike on a trainer regularly. It really helped me become comfortable with the position I was in, without the "environmental" worries. It helped me learn a lot of where I should be distributing my weight and how I should feel on my bike.

On the other hand, if the bike doesn't fit you right, you're really not going to be able to be comfortable on it. But, if you were fitted professionally, I would give it a little time before you sold it and bought a new one because you may just run into the same problems all over again.

Good luck!

Inew, great advice. thank you. Thank you all for thoughtful helpful suggestions.
shoulders down, elbows bent, shoulders down, elbows bent, shoulders down, elbows bent, shoulders down, elbows bent, shoulders down, elbows bent

**Kathi** · 07-28-2006, 03:10 PM

And that's why I went custom.

When I changed the fork on my Aegis the same thing happened, the only difference is that Aegis warned me that my steering would change. It wasn't a big deal to me because most of my riding was on country roads. I had the bike for 4 years when I made the change and was very disappointed to learn the fit wasn't as perfect as I had thought. I rode it for 2 years longer mainly to be sure I knew what I wanted in fit and handling.

The twitchiness is most noticable at slow speeds, like going across an intersection island or making a tight turn. On the road at higher speeds it didn't bother me except that I took turns slower and wider to get a better track on the turn.

Here in Denver we live very close to bike trails that have a lot of very sharp turns over bridges and through underpasses. I learned to deal with them and the handling of the bike. One of the requirements when I built my custom frame is that handling could not be compromised.

Anyway, my advice to you is to ride it as is, don't make any changes, trust the fitter for now. If after you feel you given it enough time and it still feels uncomfortable then have the fitter recheck you.

Don't give up, give your body a chance to get used to the fit . I made significant changes on my Aegis and it took me around 300 miles before my body adapted to them.

If you're still wanting a better fit somewhere down the road then go for custom. It really is awesome to have a bike that fits your body.

I have a 122 miles on my new bike and it feels great, however, I'm still worried something might need to change. I did notice my saddle at first but every time I ride it gets less and less noticeable.

And everytime I go from riding the mtn bike for any length of time the road bike always feels a little unstable at first.

**farrellcollie** · 07-28-2006, 04:22 PM

I had a lot of neck and shoulder pain on my scott contessa xs (I am a middle-aged short fire hydrant shaped person) - although not cool - I saw this

"Bring HandlebarsCloser! Always a darn good idea AX50 Adapter from Yellow Jersey" http://www.yellowjersey.org/ax50.html

and I bought one - It has helped me a lot - it is uncool and real roadies scoff - but I can ride more comfortably with it. I figure that after riding upright for 45 years - switching over to roadbike was going to be a process and this might help me ease into it - it is easy to attach (I did it and I am seriously mechanically impaired) and I can take it off when my body/muscles ect get stronger, used to new position in increments etc. If I can figure out how to post photo - I will.

**Kathi** · 07-28-2006, 05:13 PM

I raised my handlebars 4 cm. I didn't want to be upright just a good neutral postion. 4 cm was a lot which is why it was so hard to adjust. Once my body adjusted the change was comfortable and I was happy. I remember thinking that I made a mistake in making the changes.

MimiTabby, if there is a significant difference in body position and fit between your old bike and your new bike you will notice it. You have to train your body to the new position.

That's why fitters recommend making changes in small increments.

**mimitabby** · 07-28-2006, 06:35 PM

Kathi and FarrellCollie
thanks for more good advice. I like your gadget, but i don't think i'm going to try it, after all i have heard, i am afraid of raising the bars any higher! I will work on getting used to it
and shoulders relaxed, elbows bent...
thanks all!

I feel like there's hope now

**salsabike** · 07-28-2006, 06:52 PM

Aside from getting together soon, mimitabby, so you can try my Bianchi Eros Donna, and of course, trying all the above suggestions....I would honestly recommend doing a little test-riding at an LBS that has some bikes in a slightly smaller size than the Veloce, and some WSD bikes for sure. You would then have a better idea re whether there is a bike out there that fits you noticeably better, and whether it's worth pursuing that. I honestly believe that a bike that fits well feels that way.

**Kathi** · 07-28-2006, 08:22 PM

I would think that the woman who did the fitting would tell you that the bike was too big. You spent a lot of money making those changes and if the bike was that far off she should have been honest with you and recommended a different solution.

When I had my fitting on my Aegis I went to a Serotta trained fitter. They have a bike called a size cycle that can be adjusted to your dimensions. My fitter set me up on it before I made the decision to change my fork. That way I had an idea of what the changes would be like.

**SR500** · 07-28-2006, 08:41 PM

Assuming the seat is in the correct position, you can get stems from 60 to 140 mm, and angles from -20 to +40, add spacers and there is a lot of movement. A pic would really help. A road bike requires a bit of a bent over position, you may need to balance the benefits of fast and quick with what feels best. Also gloves can make a difference in numb hands. Descente makes a glove that is padded for riding in the hoods. Good Luck.

**Kathi** · 07-29-2006, 01:33 PM

Last week I bought "Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists" and he says to ride a "couple of hundred miles" before you make changes. But he also says that if you're not comfortable after that don't hesitate to go to the bike shop for adjustments.

**mimitabby** · 07-29-2006, 08:42 PM

here I am with my NEW Ibex wool knickers, they were perfect for the weather today...
I hope this shot shows enough of me on my bike.

**mimitabby** · 07-29-2006, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by SR500

Assuming the seat is in the correct position, you can get stems from 60 to 140 mm, and angles from -20 to +40, add spacers and there is a lot of movement. A pic would really help. A road bike requires a bit of a bent over position, you may need to balance the benefits of fast and quick with what feels best. Also gloves can make a difference in numb hands. Descente makes a glove that is padded for riding in the hoods. Good Luck.

SR500 I wouldn't dream of riding without padded gloves.. My 25 year old son
ripped his hand open when he fell without gloves. it was UGLY.

I have already gotten all the stems I am going to get..

Kathi,
she kept saying that I looked comfortable!! after 5 minutes, how could she tell?
it's funny; they do Serotta fits at that bike shop; why didn't i get one? I just got a bike fit.

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