Fat bloke on a bike

[boodajuda]

I'm fat bloke that has reverted to a little fair weather cycling. Haven't done much since passing my driving test 18 years ago.

I have suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome in the past and my wrists hurt the day after cycling.

Someone told me I may need to adjust the height of the handlebars but not sure how to work out where the need to be set height-wise.

Anyone out the able to give some advice? It's a mountain bike style Revolution bike.

Edited by boodajuda on Friday 31st October 08:58

[anonymous-user]

Honestly if you have an existing medical issue, your best bet is to visit a reputable shop and ask for their advice but raising the bars is very simple and wont take them long or cost you much, they should help find a good fit. They may also advise fitting bar ends which will give you a choice of positions which should help.

[Pebbles167]

I'd imagine that much like on a motorbike, raise the bars until you feel that you are no longer supporting too much of your weight on them whilst riding. Also worth lowering the saddle for a bit for better combined results.

It is worth nothing that you need to do a good warm up and cool down (stretches and gentle exercise) after riding. It will help with the aches later and the next day.

Edit: Oh, I forgot. A set of these help me ride. Although I'm not a "fat bloke" (Sorry ) I do have lasting wrist injuries on both arms. These things helped me feel less pressure.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Pair-Ergon-Bar-End...

Sorry, ad does not match pic, but you get the idea.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Thursday 30th October 20:35

[160]

I found a shorter stem with a bigger rise helped(the bit between the front forks and the handlebars). Do you know anybody with a mountain bike to give it a go?

[Bungleaio]

No idea on the handlebars but well done on getting back out on the bike.

I'm also a fat bloke thats recently got back out there. I started at the end of august and the first 3 miles about killed me. I've done about 70 miles over 10 rides this month, not amazing but I'm gradually doing bigger circuits, I did 11 miles in the rain last night.

[boodajuda]

Thanks. I'll see if one of the guys in work can come round and help a fat bloke A few are cycle instructors and one completes in races as a senior for British Cycling so must know how to adjust.

My weight has fluctuated between 120-150kg over the years and despite the aches - I feel so much better after riding. Even though it feels like my lungs are bleeding once my breathing has calmed down my ashthma is better too as long as I stick to routes without dirty diesels lol!

Also noticed that since I started my wife is much more careful when overtaking cyclists and I don't tell her off anymore.

[Usget]

Definitely get the bike adjusted so that it fits you better. The more comfy you are on the bike, the more likely you are to take it out for a quick spin. The risk is that, once the bike fits you properly, you'll start to get the cycling bug...

[WinstonWolf]

A bike fit will probably cost you £60 ish plus any bits you need to change. It's money well spent if it allows you to ride again, once you're putting the miles in the weight will fall off.

[SixtySpeedTwin]

i too have problems with my hands - mine go numb due to the ulnar nerve , on my mountain bike i fitted specialised grips much the same as the ones pictured above. there is another brand which are even larger in the palm area, but i cant remember the name there was a similar thread a few months ago about grips.
Ive seen adjustable stems which might be good while your sorting your geometry out.
cheers
C

[rdjohn]

That's funny as I was thinking of posting a similar thread.

A cycling friend suggested a pair of these for my Hybrid, or, as I am now doing greater mileage, go and buy a sports bike as the handle bars offer 4 hold positions.

Has anyone on here had problems transferring from straight to sports handle bars because of hand / wrist pains? I would hate to spend a big sum when a small sum might offer greater benefit.

Thanks

[Liszt]

CTS and cycling do not go well together. The vibrations will irritate the nerves and the angle doesn't help. When I have a flare up I have to wear my wrist splints. It is not great but does reduce the pain.