Trying to adjust to a road bike

[Yen]

Thank you for your reassurance. I was afraid you'd all say "If it's the right bike for you, then everything should feel comfortable immediately!"

Last weekend, we met with the fitter who took measurements and determined the best size bike for me. He also recommended narrower bars than what comes on the Roubaix (more like the Ruby dimensions). The fitter wants me to ride whatever bike I end up buying for a couple of hundred miles to adjust to the position before we do a complete professional fitting, since I am coming from an upright hybrid. I like that philosophy VERY much so when he suggested it, I was quick to agree.

Yesteday, The LBS owner did a quick fitting of me on the demo bike, on a trainer. He had already swapped the bars to the narrower size and it was ready for me when we got there. On the trainer, he changed the stem to shorten my reach just a bit, and tweaked the saddle and stem height.

I went for a short ride alone after we got home. I noticed a light rubbing sound as I rolled the bike toward the door, and when I spun the wheel it stopped on its own after a few revolutions (without applying the brakes). The demo bikes are assembled elsewhere and delivered to the shop upon request, so I know it wasn't assembled at the shop. Anyway I could hear the same noise as I rode it, and it was making me feel nervous since it is not my bike. I think I was concentrating on that noise and expecting perfection from this bike (I tend to do that with everything I spend a lot of money for...) so I was also focused on that, as well as my reach, as I rode. I also noticed, however, that the bike does absorb bumps very well, shifting is smooth, and is a very smooth ride.

This bike is also a MUCH better fit than that of my hybrid which is too big for me overall. So, I don't doubt that the overall fit of the bike is right. A few weeks ago, I briefly rode (around a parking lot) a 54 Ruby which felt too small -- it's the size equivalent of a 52 Roubaix -- so I don't think I need to go the WSD route with this bike and the fitter does not recommend it for me.

I know my back, shoulders, and core muscles are not strong, and I'm working on that. My back and neck are not flexible, and I'm working on that too. I tend to carry a lot of tension in my upper back, shoulders, and neck. So, I have a lot of work to do in this area. In addition to strength training of my shoulders and back, if I can get myself to just relax and lean forward a bit, and keep my elbows bent, I'll feel more comfortable.

KNOTTEDYET: You mentioned something that I have read elsewhere and seems counter-intuitive at first. That is, that moving the saddle back a bit relieves pressure on the hands. It seems that moving it back would place more pressure on the hands because the rider would need the hands more to balance the further reach. Can you explain that? I will try the test with the string and keys. The saddle might also be a tad too high so we'll adjust that too.

I really, really want to make this work! Thanks so much again for your reassurance.

Jen

[rij73]

Jen, your description of the wheel suggests that it is out-of-true and needs to have the spokes adjusted. Definitely take it to the shop to have them do that real quick. If the rim is rubbing on the brakes, it won't be riding right.

FWIW, I wasn't comfortable at all on my bike at first either, but with time and a few very little tweaks, I am now a very happy camper. Try to relax and enjoy the process. I think you've done your homework and seem to have honed in on a good bike for you.

[tulip]

There's alot to think about when you are out riding! I'll add a few more. Every once in a while, shrug your shoulders. That'll bring your shoulders back down; you may be shrugging them without noticing, and keeping them shrugged.

Elbows bent and relaxed, but you know all that already.

Keep working on your core. I've already extolled the virtues of pilates, but I'll say it again: pilates works on strength and flexibility of your whole back.

okay, let us know how it goes.

[Thorn]

On a road bike, the weight over the wheels should be about equal (+/- 5%). That means you want to also be balanced over the bike (+/- 5% -- experts, please refine my "mostly").

While your legs are part of the issue, think of your upper body as a triangle. Your shoulders are at the peak and hands are one corner and your tush the other. Think about balancing that triangle. If that triangle is acute (arms really close to the tush), then you're not stable; if the triangle is really obtuse (as you mention really spread out), that triangle, again, is not stable. However, in between there is that perfect spot.

[Geonz]

When I wanted to go faster and further, I got me a 7500FX and put skinny tires on it. There are 'hybrid' options that are reasonably fast.

However, basically everybody I know who's gotten a good fit on a road bike has been happy with it.

[Andrea]

If your saddle is level, you can also try barely tilting the nose up. I find that if I ride exactly level that I feel like I have much more weight on my hands. Also, like everyone else said- work on core, upper body, and leg strength- Pilates is great, as is just plain weight training. The "superman" back exercise should be one that you do a couple of times a week to build lower back strength & endurance.

Another one that I love for cycling is the thruster:
Using dumbbells (start light- 5 to 10 pounds- & work your way up as you get stronger), stand up straight, hold them at your shoulders, and squat down into a low squat. Then, quickly stand back up straight, extending your arms into a shoulder press at the top. You can put something under your butt to "aim" for when you squat. It's important to keep an arch in your back and make sure your hips go back like you are trying to sit on something low (think hovering over the toilet in a preschool bathroom!) Here's a video:Thrusters Demo @ crossfit.com

This one works the upper body muscles that you use to support yourself on the bike as well as your lower back and abs (for stability & power transfer from the legs), and, of course, your legs!

[Harley]

Being another 50+ and just getting back into road riding, after 18 years... I have found riding my road bike on a trainer very helpful. It has gotten my muscles back to "remembering" the position, spin and comfort. It also allows you to concentrate on position, without the worries of the road. Once you're comfortable on the bike the road will be easier.
This is assuming you have been fit correctly to the bike.

[KathiCville]

Yen, I've got much the same problem with feeling like my posture isn't what it should be. I've done three long rides (for me, meaning more than 25mi) in the past three weeks and each time have barely made it to the end because my forearms and wrists were screaming at me. Even when I'm trying to be conscious of not locking my elbows, etc....Yesterday's 33mi was the worst yet.......Had the bike fitted a month or so ago, which helped in general terms, especially with an ongoing lower back ache. But sounds another 'go' at fitting might be a good idea...Plus, I know my core strength is lousy--something I'm starting to work on.....All of the ideas being floated here are really useful, thanks!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

KNOTTEDYET: You mentioned something that I have read elsewhere and seems counter-intuitive at first. That is, that moving the saddle back a bit relieves pressure on the hands. It seems that moving it back would place more pressure on the hands because the rider would need the hands more to balance the further reach. Can you explain that?n

It's true.
Try this experiment to help you visualize it:
Get on your hands and knees on the floor. Notice how much weight is on your hands. Get a feel for where your center of gravity is.
Now, keeping your hands or knees in the exact same position on the floor, move your butt back a couple of inches, as though you were moving your "saddle" back but keeping your handlebar in the same spot. Notice how this takes weight off your hands and moves your center of gravity back over your legs and off your arms. What it does is make your legs support you more and takes some of that job away from your hands and arms (which shouldn't be supporting your weight anyway). This whole issue is one of the classic problems of 'some' women cyclists riding men's bikes with long top tubes.