Having a hard time adjusting...

[Kerry1976]

I have not had a professional fitting. My LBS didn't even offer that when they assembled the bike for me. It was kinda like - "here's your bike. have a nice day."

The LBS did mention spacers that kept the handlebars slightly up. It may be that I need to remove a spacer or two. Right now, budget is not on my side and I'm having a hard time wanting to spend more at the LBS.

My wheel is elevated. My cadence prob runs on the slower side - I tend to mash the gears (I did the same on my Pure) - and that is something I'm working on. I really try not to tense up because I know that won't help anything. I really try to stay as relaxed as possible. (BTW - I keep the tension very low on my trainer)

[zoom-zoom]

Best way to avoid mashing the gears is to switch to an easier gear or two. You have the 305, right? Shooting for 80-90rpm is a great start.

So you think you'd be more comfortable with the handlebars lower? You could swap the spacers yourself, really. You might want an extra set of hands to help hold things as you tighten everything back down, but it's not a difficult thing to do. Derek has swapped spacers on both of my bikes.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, wait...I see that you want your handlebars higher. Are there spacers above your stem? If not, I'm not sure if you can get it any higher. You'd need to swap spacers from above the stem to put under your stem.

[zoom-zoom]

But you could try a less angled stem, flipping your existing stem (assuming that will raise it, not lower it), or a shorter stem.

[indysteel]

I'd suggest you seek out a professional fitter; it doesn't have to be where you actually bought the bike. That degree of upper body pain suggests to me that you need a pro to look at you. It may be a simple fix; it might not. I've battled myself with upper body issues on one of my road bikes. I tried to work through it--to the detriment of the nerves in my hands.

[Kerry1976]

Indy, thanks. Actually I purchased the bike on eBay and our one and only LBS did the assembly. Might be a road trip in order to get a professional fitting.

[Kerry1976]

Oh, wait...I see that you want your handlebars higher. Are there spacers above your stem? If not, I'm not sure if you can get it any higher. You'd need to swap spacers from above the stem to put under your stem.

Not necessarily. I'm almost wondering if removing a spacer or two would help (if that is even what I should be saying - they might not be removable?). Totally not sure though.

I'm back in Half Marathon running training, so my next ride is Friday, which happens to be a day off. Might be a fun time to pull out bike tools and play.

[zoom-zoom]

Not necessarily. I'm almost wondering if removing a spacer or two would help (if that is even what I should be saying - they might not be removable?). Totally not sure though.

I'm back in Half Marathon running training, so my next ride is Friday, which happens to be a day off. Might be a fun time to pull out bike tools and play.

Tell your ankles to behave this time!

You're pretty much stuck with the # of spacers your bike has...you can swap them up or down relative to your stem to move your stem up or down. You can't actually remove spacers without shortening the steer tube.

[Kerry1976]

Tell your ankles to behave this time!

You're pretty much stuck with the # of spacers your bike has...you can swap them up or down relative to your stem to move your stem up or down. You can't actually remove spacers without shortening the steer tube.

Ah, okay. Now I get it. Bummer.

[Kerry1976]

Sounds like where I got my bike. And I agree that the trainer is a lot more uncomfortable than outdoor riding.

Find a new bike shop and use them from now on as $$ allows. That's what I did.

Maybe some local rider in your area could help you get close to a good fit until you can spend the money? Anyone on TE near?

Edit: look into local bike clubs and try to get to know some people.

I think I'm going to give my LBS a try first, since we don't have any other LBS's nearby. If that doesn't work, I'll go out of town. Thank you all so much for the wise advice. I need all the help I can get!

[Becky]

Can you post a pic of you on the bike? We might be able to give some better ideas....

[Kerry1976]

Let me think on the best way to do that. I live alone, so it won't be easy.

[WindingRoad]

Just a thought but you can rotate the handlebars up slightly to bring your riding position to more upright. That only requires an allen wrench.

[Owlie]

Kerry, while I strongly suggest a fitting, I had/still have the same problem. Just do short little rides, sub one mile if you need to. My arms and upper back have gradually gotten better, even though they start aching at about 15 miles or so.

The trainer is far worse than the road. There are curves and hills on the road that let you shift your weight around. If nothing else, there are stop signs that let you take a break!

[zoom-zoom]

Just a thought but you can rotate the handlebars up slightly to bring your riding position to more upright. That only requires an allen wrench.

That is a good recommendation. When I look at the photo of your bike I notice your handlebars are tipped way down...some people like that, but I find that I like mine best sorta horizontal to the ground with the hoods up a bit.