Things that should have been obvious, but I've recently discovered

[murielalex]

Funny how we're all different. I tried a Camelback, but hated having anything on my back.

Here are the big ones I learned:

1. How you position yourself on your bike will change over time. Don't be afraid to constantly tweak your fit.

2. I had been having a lot of trouble with wanting to pull back my hands/arms, had three fittings, and still couldn't figure it out (shortened my stem, moved my saddle, etc.). After a year of riding, I finally figured out that my 40 handlebars were too wide. i switched to 38s and my hands fell naturally where they should have been the whole time. I'd been pulling back to compensate for too much width. Doh.

3. If you lose weight, buy new shorts asap. I, more than once, got my chamois caught on the nose of my saddle when remounting after a stop, or standing to pedal because my shorts were a tad loose. Tight shorts are safe shorts

4. Don't be afraid to try men's gloves. My hands/fingers swell in the heat on long rides. I finally switched to a men's medium glove and am happy, and tried five not cheap women's gloves before I figured that one out.

5. My fav thing I learned to bring in my jersey on long rides: an old, thin washcloth in a ziplock. I don't know how many times I've used it to wipe my face in the Florida heat, and especially before reapplying sunscreen. Also, bring those wet wipes in the little packets. Great for the face and for hands after changing a tire.

[ny biker]

2. I had been having a lot of trouble with wanting to pull back my hands/arms, had three fittings, and still couldn't figure it out (shortened my stem, moved my saddle, etc.). After a year of riding, I finally figured out that my 40 handlebars were too wide. i switched to 38s and my hands fell naturally where they should have been the whole time. I'd been pulling back to compensate for too much width. Doh.

Very interesting. I tend to turn my hands in and my elbows out, which hunches my shoulders. A few years ago I was having problems with elbow pain caused by the too-small mouse that I used at work, and the pain was also evident when I rode my bike. I mentioned it to the fitter at the LBS, who grabbed a tape measure and measured my shoulders. He said if the pain didn't go away I could consider getting narrower handlebars, because I the ones I have (which came stock on the bike) were borderline-wide for me. I bought myself a nice ergonomic mouse for work and learned a good hand/wrist stretch from my trainer, and that solved the elbow pain so I kept my handlebars. But maybe I should reconsider getting narrower ones.

BTW I also do not like using a Camelback when I'm riding my road bike. I don't want anything on my back when it's hot. I don't even want anything in my jersey pockets, except maybe a bag of ice.

[thekarens]

Something interesting and anecdotal. I have seen a lot more Camelbaks on roadies since it started getting really hot than when the temps were moderate. I didn't pull out my Camelbak until I decided to start doing longer rides in this ridiculous heat. Of course, I always use a Camelbak when I'm riding the MTB.

[lgibster]

Funny how we're all different. I tried a Camelback, but hated having anything on my back.

3. If you lose weight, buy new shorts asap. I, more than once, got my chamois caught on the nose of my saddle when remounting after a stop, or standing to pedal because my shorts were a tad loose. Tight shorts are safe shorts

Amen to #3!! I asked here a while back about comfortable shorts. I had lost weight (about 30 lbs) and everyone was telling me to get smaller tighter shorts.....glad I listened to the wise ladies here. I purchased a pair of Pearl Izumi In-r-cool pro shorts and couldn't be happier (except for a little sausage leg look) with the difference.

[OakLeaf]

Here's another thing about weight loss (or gain) - check your seat height! If there are a couple fewer millimeters between your sitbones and your saddle, then there are a couple fewer millimeters between your sitbones and your pedal spindles, and if you're prone to knee issues, that can make a difference.

[lgibster]

Here's another thing about weight loss (or gain) - check your seat height! If there are a couple fewer millimeters between your sitbones and your saddle, then there are a couple fewer millimeters between your sitbones and your pedal spindles, and if you're prone to knee issues, that can make a difference.

Yes I am going back to my LBS that did my fit tomorrow after work and get them to raise my seat (since it is frozen after they lowered it some during the fit). Hoping that helps.