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13-05.-2008, 01:21 AM
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#1 |
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Guest
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Pain between shoulder blades
Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too bad except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 miles. Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle was moved forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike geometry is OK. Perhaps there is something bad with my technique? One mistake that I made before that 50 mile ride was pumping tires too much which combined with somewhat rough road contributed to a lot unpleasant shaking. Thanks for any suggestion, JT |
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13-05.-2008, 01:38 AM
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#2 |
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Guest
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > with just > 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > bad > except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > miles. > Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > was moved > forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > geometry is OK. You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, etc... ;-) Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's neck. Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. Give us a clearer idea of what's up. |
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13-05.-2008, 02:51 AM
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#3 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
The only time I got that was when I was overstretched. Try a shorter
reach. |
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13-05.-2008, 03:09 AM
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#4 |
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Guest
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 6:21*pm, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > with just > 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > bad > except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > miles. > Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > was moved > forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > geometry is OK. > Perhaps there is something bad with my technique? > One mistake that I made before that 50 mile ride was pumping tires too > much > which combined with somewhat rough road contributed to a lot > unpleasant shaking. > > Thanks for any suggestion, > > JT Saddle forward for LESS weight on the arms? That doesn't make sense. It could be just the change in position, too. For longer rides it is imprtant to keep the upper body relaxed, not tense, and not scrunched up. And to change hand positions and stand every once in a while to keep things loose. Joseph |
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13-05.-2008, 04:06 AM
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#5 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > > with just > > 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > > bad > > except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > > miles. > > Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > > was moved > > forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > > geometry is OK. > > You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention > type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, > etc... ;-) > > Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. > Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's > neck. > > Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving > the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if > that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm > to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one > thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, > it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. > > Give us a clearer idea of what's up. It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short legs and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of these. I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better corresponds to the location of the ball of my foot. |
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13-05.-2008, 04:21 AM
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#6 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 2:06 pm, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > > > with just > > > 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > > > bad > > > except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > > > miles. > > > Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > > > was moved > > > forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > > > geometry is OK. > > > You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention > > type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, > > etc... ;-) > > > Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. > > Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's > > neck. > > > Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving > > the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if > > that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm > > to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one > > thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, > > it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. > > > Give us a clearer idea of what's up. > > It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with > slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short > legs > and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the > handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem > and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of Where do you grip the bars tight? Right before the hoods? Might be the wrong type bend for you. The Novara comes with Ritchey Biomax bars. Lot of people love them, but who knows. You can try making sure that the "ramps" before the hoods aren't sliding you down. Mess with the angle. Mess with the angle of the levers on the bars. Don't be shy. Try adjusting the stem angle up a bit. Handlebars are relatively cheap, so don't not miss out on trying out some different bends. Everybody should try some classic Maes bend Nittos. It's a good inexpensive place to start. Should fit that stem with a shim. Again, get more specific. Where are you gripping when it gets to ya? |
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13-05.-2008, 04:30 AM
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#7 |
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Guest
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
Woland99 wrote:
> On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: >> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec >>> with just >>> 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too >>> bad >>> except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 >>> miles. >>> Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle >>> was moved >>> forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike >>> geometry is OK. >> You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention >> type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, >> etc... ;-) >> >> Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. >> Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's >> neck. >> >> Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving >> the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if >> that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm >> to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one >> thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, >> it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. >> >> Give us a clearer idea of what's up. > > It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with > slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short > legs > and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the > handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem > and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of > these. > I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to > repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant > change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats > backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better > corresponds > to the location of the ball of my foot. I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything. I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK. Lou |
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13-05.-2008, 05:31 AM
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#8 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman <lholditn...@planet.nl> wrote:
> Woland99 wrote: > > On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > > >>> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > >>> with just > >>> 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > >>> bad > >>> except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > >>> miles. > >>> Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > >>> was moved > >>> forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > >>> geometry is OK. > >> You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention > >> type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, > >> etc... ;-) > > >> Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. > >> Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's > >> neck. > > >> Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving > >> the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if > >> that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm > >> to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one > >> thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, > >> it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. > > >> Give us a clearer idea of what's up. > > > It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with > > slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short > > legs > > and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the > > handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem > > and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of > > these. > > I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to > > repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant > > change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats > > backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better > > corresponds > > to the location of the ball of my foot. > > I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything. > I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK. > With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into "position." |
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13-05.-2008, 05:55 AM
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#9 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
Woland99 wrote:
> On May 12, 3:31 pm, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: >> On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman <lholditn...@planet.nl> wrote: >> >>> Woland99 wrote: >>>> On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec >>>>>> with just >>>>>> 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too >>>>>> bad >>>>>> except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 >>>>>> miles. >>>>>> Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle >>>>>> was moved >>>>>> forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike >>>>>> geometry is OK. >>>>> You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention >>>>> type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, >>>>> etc... ;-) >>>>> Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax. >>>>> Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's >>>>> neck. >>>>> Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving >>>>> the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if >>>>> that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm >>>>> to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one >>>>> thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, >>>>> it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. >>>>> Give us a clearer idea of what's up. >>>> It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with >>>> slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short >>>> legs >>>> and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the >>>> handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem >>>> and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of >>>> these. >>>> I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to >>>> repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant >>>> change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats >>>> backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better >>>> corresponds >>>> to the location of the ball of my foot. >>> I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything. >>> I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK. >> With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying >> an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the >> road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a >> month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into >> "position." > > Thanks for suggestion. When I bought the bike I got stem adjusted in > slight upward position - the idea was to slowly lower it when I get > used to a bit more stretched position. But perhaps it may make sense > to move it even more upward for now. > I hope that it will eventually go away - I tried putting ice pack > on the sore spot and it helps somewhat. I have another 55 mile ride > this coming Sat - and with that pain it will not be fun. Keep your elbows in a slight angle and stretch your back before the ride (fingertips/handpalms to the ground with straight legs). Lou |
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13-05.-2008, 06:22 AM
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#10 |
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Guest
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 10:46*pm, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 12, 3:31 pm, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman <lholditn...@planet.nl> wrote: > > > > Woland99 wrote: > > > > On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > >>> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > > > >>> with just > > > >>> 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > > > >>> bad > > > >>> except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > > > >>> miles. > > > >>> Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > > > >>> was moved > > > >>> forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > > > >>> geometry is OK. > > > >> You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention > > > >> type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, > > > >> etc... ;-) > > > > >> Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.. > > > >> Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's > > > >> neck. > > > > >> Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving > > > >> the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if > > > >> that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm > > > >> to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one > > > >> thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out, > > > >> it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. > > > > >> Give us a clearer idea of what's up. > > > > > It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with > > > > slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short > > > > legs > > > > and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the > > > > handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem > > > > and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of > > > > these. > > > > I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to > > > > repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant > > > > change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats > > > > backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better > > > > corresponds > > > > to the location of the ball of my foot. > > > > I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything. > > > I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK.. > > > With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying > > an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the > > road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a > > month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into > > "position." > > Thanks for suggestion. When I bought the bike I got stem adjusted in > slight upward position - the idea was to slowly lower it when I get > used to a bit more stretched position. But perhaps it may make sense > to move it even more upward for now. > I hope that it will eventually go away - I tried putting ice pack > on the sore spot and it helps somewhat. I have another 55 mile ride > this coming Sat - and with that pain it will not be fun. When you are pedalling along pretty hard, if you cannot lift both hands a few inches from the bars for a few moments without falling forward or straining, you have too much weight on your arms. This will be uncomfortable. As you lose weight, you will be able to lower your bar position if you want. Weight is more important than flexibility in that regard. You want your weight supported by your butt, not your hands and shoulders. If the guy fitting your at the shop hasn't been fat himself, he may not be aware of how that changes things. Weight distribution on a bike is very important for comfort, and being overweight changes how that weight is distributed on the body and that needs to be taken into account. The general way to do that is to move the seat back, and the bars up and back to accomodate the seat move so you don't get too stretched out. If you have a long torso, that part might not be so important. Try to work on not white-knuckling the bars. I ride with my hands open quite a bit to relax my forearms. The relaxation is contagious! How tall are you and what is the (approx) height difference between the bars and saddle? That gives a rough idea of what you ar eup against. Joseph |
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13-05.-2008, 07:10 AM
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#11 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
joseph.santaniello@gmail.com wrote:
> Saddle forward for LESS weight on the arms? That doesn't make sense. Sure it does. |
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13-05.-2008, 07:25 AM
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#12 |
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Guest
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
Joseph Santaniello wrote:
> Saddle forward for LESS weight on the arms? That doesn't make sense. It isn't the weight on the arms that requires muscular stress but rather the push and pull on the bars to counter pedaling torque, especially when standing. > It could be just the change in position, too. For longer rides it > is important to keep the upper body relaxed, not tense, and not > scrunched up. And to change hand positions and stand every once in > a while to keep things loose. I think it best to work into riding gradually so unused muscles don't get stressed excessively on one ride. There could be another reason. Muscular back aches often come from sleeping with part of the back exposed to cool air and this is a chill effect during the time when muscle regeneration after a ride takes place. Jobst Brandt |
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13-05.-2008, 09:40 AM
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#13 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
In article
<b990f156-149f-4432-924d-201866241a84@b64g2000hsa.googlegroups.com>, Woland99 <woland99@gmail.com> wrote: > Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec > with just > 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too > bad > except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35 > miles. > Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle > was moved > forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > geometry is OK. > Perhaps there is something bad with my technique? > One mistake that I made before that 50 mile ride was pumping tires too > much > which combined with somewhat rough road contributed to a lot > unpleasant shaking. Did you vary your position regularly? Do you run drop bars? Drop bars offer the widest variety of useful postures. Employ them all. If you run drop bars, they may be a trifle low. -- Michael Press |
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13-05.-2008, 10:15 AM
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#14 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
On May 12, 3:25*pm, jobst.bra...@stanfordalumni.org wrote:
> Joseph Santaniello wrote: > > Saddle forward for LESS weight on the arms? That doesn't make sense. > > It isn't the weight on the arms that requires muscular stress but > rather the push and pull on the bars to counter pedaling torque, > especially when standing. I've been riding in a leg brace for the last three weeks and confined to my saddle. My light bike is geared for out of the saddle climbing, and trying to make it up some of the local walls sitting down requires a lot of upper body strength. I was amazed at the arm effort required. I might actually develop muscles in my arms.-- Jay Beattie. |
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13-05.-2008, 11:14 AM
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#15 |
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Re: Pain between shoulder blades
<joseph.santaniello@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f951b29d-7a1c-472f-9e74-4ef482ad7065@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com... On May 12, 10:46 pm, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > On May 12, 3:31 pm, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman <lholditn...@planet.nl> wrote: > > > > Woland99 wrote: > > > > On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 <wolan...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > >>> Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in > > > >>> Dec > > > >>> with just > > > >>> 3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not > > > >>> too > > > >>> bad > > > >>> except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after > > > >>> about 35 > > > >>> miles. > > > >>> Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and > > > >>> saddle > > > >>> was moved > > > >>> forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike > > > >>> geometry is OK. > > > >> You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't > > > >> mention > > > >> type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any, > > > >> etc... ;-) > > > > >> Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. > > > >> Relax. > > > >> Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's > > > >> neck. > > > > >> Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving > > > >> the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right > > > >> place--if > > > >> that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward > > > >> 5mm > > > >> to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's > > > >> one > > > >> thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked > > > >> out, > > > >> it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix. > > > > >> Give us a clearer idea of what's up. > > > > > It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one > > > > with > > > > slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short > > > > legs > > > > and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the > > > > handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight > > > > problem > > > > and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of > > > > these. > > > > I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to > > > > repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant > > > > change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving > > > > cleats > > > > backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better > > > > corresponds > > > > to the location of the ball of my foot. > > > > I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything. > > > I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm > > > OK. > > > With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying > > an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the > > road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a > > month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into > > "position." > > Thanks for suggestion. When I bought the bike I got stem adjusted in > slight upward position - the idea was to slowly lower it when I get > used to a bit more stretched position. But perhaps it may make sense > to move it even more upward for now. > I hope that it will eventually go away - I tried putting ice pack > on the sore spot and it helps somewhat. I have another 55 mile ride > this coming Sat - and with that pain it will not be fun. When you are pedalling along pretty hard, if you cannot lift both hands a few inches from the bars for a few moments without falling forward or straining, you have too much weight on your arms. This will be uncomfortable. As you lose weight, you will be able to lower your bar position if you want. Weight is more important than flexibility in that regard. You want your weight supported by your butt, not your hands and shoulders. If the guy fitting your at the shop hasn't been fat himself, he may not be aware of how that changes things. Weight distribution on a bike is very important for comfort, and being overweight changes how that weight is distributed on the body and that needs to be taken into account. The general way to do that is to move the seat back, and the bars up and back to accomodate the seat move so you don't get too stretched out. If you have a long torso, that part might not be so important. Try to work on not white-knuckling the bars. I ride with my hands open quite a bit to relax my forearms. The relaxation is contagious! How tall are you and what is the (approx) height difference between the bars and saddle? That gives a rough idea of what you ar eup against. Joseph Good chance the saddle is to far forward. Here is the theory and fit info that supports the concept. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html Bill |
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