argh... the continuing saga of bike fit

[mimitabby]

Veronica, i took that very photo to the fitter, that very one. I said this looks comfy. she said, no; his back isn't relaxed. your back looks nicer than his!



DH and I rode to Kent where my mother lives and back tonight; 26 miles all pretty flat (we started at the base of the hill)

He is thrilled with how I am doing with the bianchi, he gave me a lot of the same advice you guys did.

I noticed that my hands do NOT hurt as much!! I kept moving the hands around (sometimes they got tingly) and even went into the drops a little.
I even pulled out my waterbottle and took a drink without stopping!

It was a fun ride. Now he wants to take me on some hills (eeep)

Thank you all for your patience and good advice. I have a lot more hope today than I had earlier..

[Triskeliongirl]

That is TERRIFIC that you had a good ride yesterday!!!!!!!!!!! So perhaps the last round of changes did do the trick, but now you just need some time on the bike. Yes, moving your hands around the bars a lot is very important, as you know that is one of the advantages of drop bars. As is trying to keep your body RELAXED on the bike. Gripping the bars with all your might in a rigid postion will make anybody's hands ache, no matter how good the fit. But, 36 cm is quite narrow. To know the correct size bar, you should ask your husband measure your shoulder distance (didn't the fitter do this???). But if the bars are too narrow, it shouldn't bother your hands, but your upper back since your shoulder blades end up compressed, and sometimes in can effect your breathing since your chest also can be compressed. On the other hand, narrow bars are more aero so if you are comfortable with the width I wouldn't worry about it. New bars aren't too expensive, and its not hard to change the bars out yourself. Again though, I think the idea of making gradual small changes is best, and unless something really hurts, wait a couple hundred miles before doing anything else. For now, just ENJOY HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Geonz]

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=416

These are the bars that tempt me away from my flat bars (drops make me cranky).

[KnottedYet]

I'm being seriously tempted by these, since they are cheaper than the bar-ends I like; and changing my bike to drops would be so horridly expensive.

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails...gId=39&id=2109

[Bicyclette]

Knotted - I am seriously looking at the trekking handlebars also .... Nashbar has them on sale right now - makes it even more tempting.

[mimitabby]

my sons and husband have both suggested moustache bars, but they are 50+ cm across!! I'm looking for a mini-moustache; a compromise, maybe 44 cm?

[mimitabby]

Oh, because i thought you didn't want your arms sticking out?
(if i am supposed to be on a road bike handlebar of 38 cm....)

[oxysback]

It was a fun ride. Now he wants to take me on some hills (eeep)

Say, I hear there's a very nice hill in Kent you can try out. James St., I remember it being called...hehe.

(I used to live in Kent many moons ago)