Possible New Roadie, but Stuck in the Mud..!

[Biking Bella]

Hands go numb when you put too much pressure/weight on them. Your hands should be super light on your bars (like playing a piano). Likewise, you should be able to take a hand (or both hands) off the bars without losing stability, because you should be supporting yourself with your core, not your hands. This is partly a function of bike fit, and partly a function of one's own fitness.

Thanks Chica! For the sake of education, if I would find myself in that same situation in the future, aside from exercising my core muscles more, what would i have to do with the bike's geometry to help alleviate that pressure?

[chicagogal]

Thanks Chica! For the sake of education, if I would find myself in that same situation in the future, aside from exercising my core muscles more, what would i have to do with the bike's geometry to help alleviate that pressure?

raising the headset so that you are more upright usually helps (but then you are less aerodynamic). Also, if the seat is tilted downwards you will likely find yourself pushing yourself back up with your hands (and legs).

Also, it is often just a comfort level thing. Once you are more confident/comfortable on the bike, you will grip the bars less tightly. Try to consciously tell yourself to loosed your grip (this will actually help a lot with handling too).

[Biking Bella]

Thanks again for the help and insight. I can see how making those adjustments could make a difference in my positioning on the bike. I'll have to keep that in the back of my head for next time, but hopefully that won't happen on my bike!

So I've been doing a lot of research on the hybrid/cyclocross bikes and I've narrowed it down to under a dozen. What do you ladies think about any of these initially? (Trying to keep under $1k, but not have tricycle-like components, hah!)

• Jamis Allergo 2
• Trex 7.3 FX
• Giant Rapid 3
• Specialized Sirrus Elite
• Cannondale Quick 3
• Giant TCX 2
• Specialized Tricross

[Biking Bella]

Just in case anyone is keeping track here (), I'm going to ride a Schwinn Searcher Expert tomorrow. The component parts seem to be of better quality than some of the A-line brands we've been naming on here. I'll let everyone know how it goes!

[cmafit]

I'm reading this thread with great interest. I've been looking at the Cannondale Synapses (know I didn't spell that right = but saw that someone on this page has it) and also have a friend that wants to sell me her Fuji Cyclecross that's not right for her (which the same person also has a Fuji CX). If I read the post right, the Fuji CX would work as a road bike by just switching out the wheelset for road? My concern would be hills as I'm not a good climber and would prefer a triple ring if possible Looking forward to hearing from you all. Your knowledge is amazing!