Sore elbows?

[cobalt]

Thanks for the help!

It started in September and yes, it was a bit cooler then and I was riding much longer each time. In July and August I was up to 5 miles. September I went on a 30 mile ride with weekly 20 mile rides and every few days, 6. In October I did a 50 mile and that was really tough.

I do tend to ride with my arms fully extended and when I get off of my bike, my inner arms are really sore, almost can't bend them at first. I haven't ridden in a few months so I won't know how things are until some of the snow melts.

If I move the seat back, won't that make it harder to not lock my elbows? I'll give it a shot if you think it will help.

My husband thinks my seat should go forward a bit but he is not an expert so I'll listen to you guys first!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If I move the seat back, won't that make it harder to not lock my elbows? I'll give it a shot if you think it will help.

My husband thinks my seat should go forward a bit but he is not an expert so I'll listen to you guys first!!!

Most people think moving the seat forward will help, but it just throws you off balance more, throws your weight forward. Moving the seat back will shift your center of gravity back a bit and off your hands. I suspect it's the weight on your arms that's causing your elbow pain (like it did to me). I had terrible elbow pain in one elbow from my weight being too far forward.

Try both methods: ride with elbows not straight, shoulders more relaxed. Then try moving your saddle back a half inch to an inch. Give each method a couple of weeks to see how it works- elbows take time to respond favorably to a position improvement, i have found.

Cobalt, you might want to read this thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...s+knees&page=2
Starting with post #24, this seat-moved-back issue is discussed there in more detail.

[cobalt]

Thanks, I read the post and it makes sense. I was having trouble finding a comfortable saddle and changed from the one that came with my bike to a wider seat. My bike came with a white Bontrager saddle. (Lemond Etape) I have wide sit bones. I might be compensating by putting weight on my arms instead of my seat.

I won another saddle and it's just as painful as the first I had. Bontrager woman's saddle but they don't work for me.

Bleecker, my parents are from Adams Center near Watertown and Syracuse and my brother lives in Plattsburg.

Thanks again for the help!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have really wide sit bones too, and there are almost no saddles out there really wide enough so I don't ride on the edges of the saddles with my bones! ....and I'm not even that big a woman!- just really wide pelvis I guess.

If it makes you feel any better- it seems that Bontrager saddles are not usually well liked by most women on TE here, -although there are a few women who do like them.

[Flybye]

Saddles can be adjusted forward and backward, up and down, and fore and aft....

I wonder if the nose of your seat is tilted too much down to the top bar and not level? You would find yourself locking your elbows to prevent yourself from sliding forward and down on your seat.

[cobalt]

When I was at the store and saw the gel to test sit bone distance I tried to get my 3 daughters to do it so (if they chose to) we could see if they would have an easy time with childbirth like I did. They all refused and left the store. They are all college aged, it's not like I was asking 10 year olds to do it.


Anyway...

Good hint about having the seat level, mine is not.

The saddle that I have is a Planet Bike and was only $20 something. I thought it was too inexpensive but it is pretty comfy for me so in this case, price did not dictate quality.

I wanted to get out today, haven't gone in december yet and we are trying to ride each month. We have fog and icy rain, temp in the low 40's which is great for Wisconsin. Maybe tomorrow??? We could go 20 feet and technically, we'd have ridden in December.

[tulip]

Cobalt, I've found that strengthening my core has really helped with my position and comfort on the bike. When you have a strong core, you can hold your body up with your core and not lean on your arms so much for support.

Your elbows should be springy and slightly bent. Position and a strong core are both important. Pilates really helped me get strong through the middle.

[DebTX]

I wonder if the nose of your seat is tilted too much down to the top bar and not level? You would find yourself locking your elbows to prevent yourself from sliding forward and down on your seat.

Following this advice, i went into the LBS today and had them level my seat. I know when I bought the bike we pointed it down a bit and I've been using a lot of energy to keep pushing my sit bones back up onto the saddle. I also suffered occasional elbow pain, as does DH (which when we mentioned to the LBS store, they said they'd never heard of before).

It's my first "bike adjustment" since my original fitting when I bought it. Feels like an event to be celebrated or something.

[Flybye]

Following this advice, i went into the LBS today and had them level my seat. I know when I bought the bike we pointed it down a bit and I've been using a lot of energy to keep pushing my sit bones back up onto the saddle. I also suffered occasional elbow pain, as does DH (which when we mentioned to the LBS store, they said they'd never heard of before).

It's my first "bike adjustment" since my original fitting when I bought it. Feels like an event to be celebrated or something.

You will have to let us know if it works for you - it made a big difference for me!