New bicycle advice

[Autigirl]

Kat,
I wouldn't *rush* to the conclusion that you bought the wrong bike -- conditioning for your new position may very well take more than a week .

Best of luck!

Liz,

I think you are right. I am taking my bike to the bike store late this afternoon to see what they can do. I definitely think the handlebars need to be raised - at the very least. I am practically lying down when I ride so I have to strain my neck to see where I am going. It is just not a comfortable ride!

I hope to get this thing resolved and be able to put my comfort bike back up taking it out only for trips to the park with my kiddos. <grin>

Have a great day!

Kat

[MartianDestiny]

As others have said it is possible that the bike is just too long for you.

However, it may just need some adjustments. It sounds like regardless of bike size the shop set you up in too aggressive a position to start with (or didn't set you up at all).

If there is still steerer tube left you can move the stem up and drop the spacers below it. You can also change to a shorter stem, one with a higher rise (angle), or both. Switching the bars from standard "male" bars to what they call "short and shallow" (or just short) may help as well (brings your reach back some and makes getting in the drops and up on the hoods easier). Would also be a pretty good idea to measure your shoulder width (collarbone I believe) and compare that to the handlebars, they may well be too wide which will further cause you to feel like you are laying down (or falling flat on your face) and contribute to neck and upper back pain.

I'm 4'11" and my main rides are not WSD. It has little to do with your height and much more to do with body proportions. (as you are learning)

I'd go back to your shop. Explain your pain and see what they are willing to do to see if this bike will indeed work for you before concluding it doesn't fit at all (my bikes all have custom picked bars, stems, seats, and seatposts to dial in fit...it's not unusual). Hopefully those few minor changes will help you get the bike dialed in without having to go through the headache of trying to get the shop to exchange it (and if the shop is good they'll be willing to spend some time and work out some deals working with you on this).

[MartianDestiny]

Wanted to add:

It does indeed take a fair bit of time to get used to an aggressive position.

I've never ridden fully upright like a comfort bike; I was used to mountain bikes. My shop left my steerer full length (allowing bars to be in my "mountain bike" position just above the saddle to start). I'm dropping spacers slowly as I get used to the bike and limber up (stretching multiple times a week now). By slowly I mean ~3 months and 1000 miles before I dropped the first 5mm spacer out and I was sore after that ride (you'd be surprised how much difference that little adjust made). Good again now, but it will be awhile before the next one comes out.

I can only imagine how much going straight from an upright comfort bike position to a road race position would hurt!

[Autigirl]

Thanks so much for all of the advice. There is such a wealth of information on this forum. I am learning so much!

This afternoon I went to the bike shop to see what could be done with my bike. The salesman who sold me the bike was on vacation so the manager helped me. I was so apprehensive, but the service I received exceeded my expectations!

The manager is very knowledgable about WSD and immediately knew what the problem was. He told me not to worry that he would make it right, and he did! He definitely thought I needed to be on a WSD and started getting them down for me to test ride. What a huge difference!

I ended up exchanging the Allez for a Dolce. I have to give props to Richardson Bike Mart in the Dallas area for great customer service. The manager was awesome! The exchange was painfree and I can't wait to ride my bike tomorrow!

Thanks again,

Kat

[VeloVT]

That's awesome. I'm glad you had such a good experience with the shop and more importantly, glad you found a bike that you love . Enjoy your new ride!

[sgtiger]

I'm happy for you that you found a bike that fits you. Woohoo! And props to manager for recognizing that the other one wasn't working out and letting you exchange it hassle free.

[Jo-n-NY]

Congratulations!!! Looking forward to a ride report. I hope you feel better with the Dolce

~ JoAnn