New Bike - Fit Issues

[emily_in_nc]

I would recommend changing to a longer stem (or flipping yours over if it's flat rather than angled up) so that your bars are the same height as - or no more than 1" below - your saddle. That seems to be the most common position for female road riders who don't race. Men can have a lower handlebar because they typically have longer arms. I can ride a road bike with bars equal to saddle height very comfortably but would have upper body problems if my bars were much below my saddle.

Your LBS can help you with the stem. Good luck!

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I would recommend changing to a longer stem (or flipping yours over if it's flat rather than angled up) so that your bars are the same height as - or no more than 1" below - your saddle. That seems to be the most common position for female road riders who don't race. Men can have a lower handlebar because they typically have longer arms. I can ride a road bike with bars equal to saddle height very comfortably but would have upper body problems if my bars were much below my saddle.

Your LBS can help you with the stem. Good luck!

Emily

I agree with Emily....except be sure to understand that she means a TALLER/HIGHER stem, not a "longer" stem, which would actually put MORE weight on your hands. Speaking of that- you might want to consider a taller and SHORTER stem (ask your LBS to explain this seeming contradiction if you are totoally confused now). I changed last week to a shorter stem (which brought my handelbsars closer to me), and it really helped eliminate the "falling onto my hands" feeling. And yes, having your bars more similar to the height of your seat may help you be more comfortable.

[uforgot]

I had the exact same problem! I kept looking at pics of women on road bikes on TE, and most have the seat the same height as the bars, and mine was lower, so I went into the lbs today and came home with an adjustable stem. I angled it so that the seat is even with the bars. Ahhhhhh....made all the difference! I feel more in control of the bike, also. The adjustable stem is a tad heavier, but they didn't have any that angled up enough. Good luck! As they say on these forums, when you get it right, you'll know.

[quint41]

Speaking of that- you might want to consider a taller and SHORTER stem (ask your LBS to explain this seeming contradiction if you are totoally confused now).

Yes, Lisa, I understand the difference between taller and shorter. I think that is the way I need to go, too.

I'm on my way out for a morning ride to see how it feels today. Certainly, this is going to take some adjustment, but I should not be in pain when I ride, that much I know! Thanks everyone!

[Triskeliongirl]

If your hands hurt, it definitely means they are bearing too much weight. That can be for a number of reasons. Certainly they could be too low (I too like my bars level with my saddle) or too far away, as has been mentioned. Your saddle could be tiliting down, throwing your weight on your bars. Your balance on the bike also could be off, you may need to move both the saddle back and the bars closer/higher (but this also depends on your KOPS position which the LBS should have looked at). Lastly, you may need to develop the abdominal and back strength needed for a drop bar bike. Think of your bars as a resting place, not a place that should be supporting your body. I think a visit to your LBS is in order.

[KnottedYet]

I have my bars about an inch ABOVE my saddle height. And, as Martha sez, "it's a good thing."

(and quill stems... also a good thing when playing with bar height)

[quint41]

LBS got my message and responded tome last night. He said he thinks stem may need to be a cm higher and hoods moved a bit higher as well. He got back to me on a Sunday evening -- not bad service! I'll keep you posted.

[neuroticcyclist]

In addition to stem height that is discussed, remember to keep your arms "soft". You should not have elbows locked and it should be as if your arms are floating. It is weight that is tiring them. To let your arms float, that means CORE strength. Yoga or, my personal favorite, pilates will give you that strength. I used to have a tired upper back and lower back on biking and now, after 2 years of hard core pilates, particularly in winter, my arms can just float there and I don't get these issues, since my back and abs support the upper body for hours, even if I am in the drops.