Saddles, Bike Fit & Glasses

[growlcat]

As I've started longer rides, I found my shoulders and back starting to ache at around 25-35 miles, limiting how long I wanted to be on my bike. At first I thought I was pushing back to avoid pubic numbness and needed a new saddle. While some of the saddles I tried extended the time I could ride before the shoulder/back pain started, I still was aching by 40 miles. LSB folks started suggesting a full bike fit instead.

So my helpful husband gave me an old article from the NYT on bike fit that included a sentence about how a man's sliding, ill-fitting glasses made him sit arched awkwardly and painfully on his bike. Having recently gotten progressive lenses which require me to hold my head in certain positions to see clearly at various distances, I wondered if they could be contributing to my aches and pains. So I got out an old pair of single correction sunglasses and took a 51 mile ride on Saturday. Absolutely no pain. Even my clunky Bontrager saddle was comfortable enough. The smaller numbers on my bike computer were a little harder to read but the lack of discomfort more than offset that little problem.

Just thought I'd pass this along in case someone else might benefit.

[redrhodie]

That's brilliant! You easily could have never figured that out!

[Biciclista]

The glasses!!!! =8-0

[Sky King]

LOL, great detective work on your part.
the bike hermit has started wearing his reading glasses around his neck when we are touring. I am to vain, i keep mine in my front rack bag.