Sore elbows?

[lunacycles]

I am not fit... yet. I have lost 65 lbs over the past 18 months and have another 40 to lose. My core could use a lot of work.

When I bought the bike it was fitted to me.

I would say that when my lower back bothers me I go upright and that is when I lock my elbows. That just occurred to me when I thought about why I stay up. I do like to go down into my drops but not when my back is sore. So a bit of a revelation. My back didn't bother me at the start of the summer and my elbows did not either.

As I lose over the winter I am hoping that this will help my lower back. I suppose I could do the exercises that I saw my athletic father do every night for his back.

If you are having low back pain it is often a sign you are reaching too far. It may be a fitness thing, it may be anatomical. Sometimes increased fitness helps, sometimes it doesn't. If you didn't get a professional fit, i.e., if a salesperson set you up on the bike but you didn't have body measurements taken plus a "fit session," then the bike still may not fit ideally for you, as it is and as you are. From what you are telling me, it might really benefit you to try a shorter stem. This is just a hunch, but I do a lot of online fit troubleshooting with my work. A shorter stem is maybe a $30 investment, and it will instantly reduce your reach. You may at the same time get a stem with a bit more rise. The goal, in my mind, is that you are comfortable on the bike without locking your elbows. Stems are easy to swap out, so you can experiment without spending a lot of dough.

Often as you get more fit on the bike and/or strengthen your core, your back gets more used to the position and you will want to stretch out your position more (and return to using a longer stem). But it shouldn't be forced into initially. IMO There is no way to be efficient on the bike if you aren't comfortable. Your position doesn't sound comfortable yet to me.

[cobalt]

I guess I thought I had a fit but did not. The person at the store had me get on the bike and then watched me ride it but we didn't measure anything.

Thanks for the tip about the stem. Will do that.

[Dogmama]

It's been awhile, how are you doing?

I would try adjusting your hand position which will automatically adjust your elbow bend. Riding with your hands vertical, thumbs up will cause your elbows to bend & might take some pressure off of those tendons & ligaments.

Also, Tulip had great advice about core strengthening.

[cobalt]

It's March and we just got a bunch of snow and it's 10 degrees but spring is just around the corner, I know it!!

I haven't been on my bike in ages so I will print this thread and try all of the suggestions as soon as I can see the pavement!

Thanks again!