How do you know if the reach is too short or long

[LoriO]

I love my new bike but I am wondering if the reach is a hair too short. I find that I am ending up with the heel of my hand on the bar rather then more at the palm. Do you think I should try a different stem?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't do anything unless you are actually uncomfortable or feel off balance when riding. Are you in pain or feeling badly weight balanced?

Is this a new bike? If so and if you have no pain, then ride it for a month before trying to decide if changes need to be made. You'd be surprised at how your body will adaptto all the little differences in position on a new bike. It may not be a problem- just something slightly new for your body to get used to.

[LoriO]

I have about a 100 miles on the bike now. I do have some pain in my right hand and arm but I have carpal tunnel and some nerve damage from cubital tunnel syndrome in that arm. I am wondering if my making the reach a hair longer and having the bars more on the palms of my hand instead of the heel might give me a little more relief on that arm.

[Becky]

Are you riding on the tops of the bars, on the hoods, or on the drops?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And do you have straight bars or drop bars??

[OakLeaf]

Why are you placing the heels of your hands on the bars? What happens if you place your hands the same as you did on your old bike? Do you feel it in your back, core, shoulders, elbows?

[LoriO]

Sorry for the delay in answering, I work mids and just woke up.

My bike has straight bars (Giant FCR 3 W). I am trying to keep the front of my palm at the bar but seem to keep ending up resting on the heel of my hand which is why I wondering if the reach is too short. The left arm is fine, no pain or discomort but the right arm gets really bad. It may just be a bad side effect of all the old nerve damage and cubital/carpal tunnel issues and something I may just have to get used to dealing with. The back and shoulders feel fine.

There is no comparision between my old bike and this one. My old bike was very upright compared to this one so i am in a more inclined position with the new bike. Other then where my hands are I love my bike and the fit. I feel very balanced (unlike my old bike).

I am planning on taking the bike in shortly for it's 100 mile adjustment and plan to ask the LBS about it too but wanted to see what you more experienced bikers thought.