Help with getting my bike comfortable
Discussion
I'm really struggling to be comfy on my new(ish) road bike, so before I give in and try getting some professional help, can anyone suggest anything for me to try please?
The background is that I bought my first ever road bike at the beginning of the year, and only in the last couple of weeks have I had the time to actually ride is (2 * ~20 miles) and I'm really suffering with my shoulders and arms. I feel like I'm holding all my weight up on my arms and consequently getting really achey forearm and tricep muscles, moreso than my legs which in my mind can't be right?
I'm 6ft4 and am riding a 2011 model Specialized Allez Elite in the largest size, think 61cm from memory. I've tried all sorts of saddle position to move me forwards and backwards, flipping the stem and changine the position of the bars also, but I just cannot get comfortable, what am I doing wrong? (one thought I have is that the stem length is too long possibly?)
Not my actual bike, but this is what I have.
The background is that I bought my first ever road bike at the beginning of the year, and only in the last couple of weeks have I had the time to actually ride is (2 * ~20 miles) and I'm really suffering with my shoulders and arms. I feel like I'm holding all my weight up on my arms and consequently getting really achey forearm and tricep muscles, moreso than my legs which in my mind can't be right?
I'm 6ft4 and am riding a 2011 model Specialized Allez Elite in the largest size, think 61cm from memory. I've tried all sorts of saddle position to move me forwards and backwards, flipping the stem and changine the position of the bars also, but I just cannot get comfortable, what am I doing wrong? (one thought I have is that the stem length is too long possibly?)
Not my actual bike, but this is what I have.
Unless you have strange body dimensions, then that size frame looks like it should fit you well. It's got quite a tall headtube, which is generally good for comfort. I'm the same height and ride a similar sized frame.
You could spend a few quid getting measured at your local road bike emporium, and them implementing those settings on the bike.
Or post the following measurements here and we can at least sanity check them:
- Vertical drop in mm from top of saddle to top of handlebars (measure heights & subtract)
- Distance in mm from tip of saddle to centre of handlebars
- Distance in mm from centre of bottom bracket spindle to top of saddle, measured in a line along the centre of the seat tube
- Stem length
You could spend a few quid getting measured at your local road bike emporium, and them implementing those settings on the bike.
Or post the following measurements here and we can at least sanity check them:
- Vertical drop in mm from top of saddle to top of handlebars (measure heights & subtract)
- Distance in mm from tip of saddle to centre of handlebars
- Distance in mm from centre of bottom bracket spindle to top of saddle, measured in a line along the centre of the seat tube
- Stem length
If all you'd done so far is 2 short rides, I'd just adjust the saddle so it's generally right according to your rule-of-thumb of preference (heel on the pedal at max extension, knee over pedal spindle with cranks horizontal, as high as you can without your pelvis rocking etc.). Then just leave the bars as they came and live with it for a fair while.
You could take someone that's never ridden a road bike (or done any real excercise that requires flexibility/core strength), get them perfectly fitted to a custom built frame by the world's best frame builder and bike fitter and they'd still have sore arms/back/arse until they're bike fit and used to spending long periods in the riding position.
A lot of the time by messing with the fit before you're used to riding, you're just preventing yourself from getting settled in and adjusted to a fit that could be perfectly adequate.
My £0.02.
You could take someone that's never ridden a road bike (or done any real excercise that requires flexibility/core strength), get them perfectly fitted to a custom built frame by the world's best frame builder and bike fitter and they'd still have sore arms/back/arse until they're bike fit and used to spending long periods in the riding position.
A lot of the time by messing with the fit before you're used to riding, you're just preventing yourself from getting settled in and adjusted to a fit that could be perfectly adequate.
My £0.02.
I would definitely recommend getting a proper bike fit - you won't regret it.
Looks like the right size frame, but there are so many variable in both body dimensions and adjustable parts of the bike. I thought I had got mine roughly right before a fit - I couldn't have been more wrong lol, they won't only change the seat post but can also alter the stem length, stem angle, seat fore/aft position, cleat position, hood position, handlebar angle, handlebar diameter or even the crank length if necessary.
Where abouts are you in the country? I can recommend the BG Fit method (which is specialised I think) - I had one done at Cycleworks in Petersfield by Simon - and couldn't be happier. its over an hour drive to there from me but it was worth it.
Looks like the right size frame, but there are so many variable in both body dimensions and adjustable parts of the bike. I thought I had got mine roughly right before a fit - I couldn't have been more wrong lol, they won't only change the seat post but can also alter the stem length, stem angle, seat fore/aft position, cleat position, hood position, handlebar angle, handlebar diameter or even the crank length if necessary.
Where abouts are you in the country? I can recommend the BG Fit method (which is specialised I think) - I had one done at Cycleworks in Petersfield by Simon - and couldn't be happier. its over an hour drive to there from me but it was worth it.
Thanks for the comments - I had thought that I might need to just get on with it (I've been riding mtb's for years, and the position seems very alien to me really.
I'll post up some measurements when I next get the chance to get the bike out.
re the comment about the gloves, I have some specialized gloves that seem to offer good padding....I think at least
I'll post up some measurements when I next get the chance to get the bike out.
re the comment about the gloves, I have some specialized gloves that seem to offer good padding....I think at least
LotusMartin said:
I would definitely recommend getting a proper bike fit - you won't regret it.
Looks like the right size frame, but there are so many variable in both body dimensions and adjustable parts of the bike. I thought I had got mine roughly right before a fit - I couldn't have been more wrong lol, they won't only change the seat post but can also alter the stem length, stem angle, seat fore/aft position, cleat position, hood position, handlebar angle, handlebar diameter or even the crank length if necessary.
Where abouts are you in the country? I can recommend the BG Fit method (which is specialised I think) - I had one done at Cycleworks in Petersfield by Simon - and couldn't be happier. its over an hour drive to there from me but it was worth it.
Interesting to hear a recommendation. I'm in Guildford, so Petersfield is not far, but I did see that Specialized have a place in Kingston as I was having a look on their website earlier. I'll have a look at their websiteLooks like the right size frame, but there are so many variable in both body dimensions and adjustable parts of the bike. I thought I had got mine roughly right before a fit - I couldn't have been more wrong lol, they won't only change the seat post but can also alter the stem length, stem angle, seat fore/aft position, cleat position, hood position, handlebar angle, handlebar diameter or even the crank length if necessary.
Where abouts are you in the country? I can recommend the BG Fit method (which is specialised I think) - I had one done at Cycleworks in Petersfield by Simon - and couldn't be happier. its over an hour drive to there from me but it was worth it.
Uriel said:
If all you'd done so far is 2 short rides, I'd just adjust the saddle so it's generally right according to your rule-of-thumb of preference (heel on the pedal at max extension, knee over pedal spindle with cranks horizontal, as high as you can without your pelvis rocking etc.). Then just leave the bars as they came and live with it for a fair while.
You could take someone that's never ridden a road bike (or done any real excercise that requires flexibility/core strength), get them perfectly fitted to a custom built frame by the world's best frame builder and bike fitter and they'd still have sore arms/back/arse until they're bike fit and used to spending long periods in the riding position.
A lot of the time by messing with the fit before you're used to riding, you're just preventing yourself from getting settled in and adjusted to a fit that could be perfectly adequate.
My £0.02.
I've followed the setting up of the seat height etc, but perhaps I'll go back and check that, and the position of the saddle tooYou could take someone that's never ridden a road bike (or done any real excercise that requires flexibility/core strength), get them perfectly fitted to a custom built frame by the world's best frame builder and bike fitter and they'd still have sore arms/back/arse until they're bike fit and used to spending long periods in the riding position.
A lot of the time by messing with the fit before you're used to riding, you're just preventing yourself from getting settled in and adjusted to a fit that could be perfectly adequate.
My £0.02.
KrisP said:
Interesting to hear a recommendation. I'm in Guildford, so Petersfield is not far, but I did see that Specialized have a place in Kingston as I was having a look on their website earlier. I'll have a look at their website
Cycleworks don't really do e-commerce so the website is a bit thin on the ground - they have loads of Specialized bikes in stock though - and the prices on the website are mostly RRP - they will do you a cracking deal. Simon is the main man to speak to (Company Director and ex-racer) I was tempted by a Spech roubaix. They also stock Cervelo so watch out!Tell him Martin recommended him - I just bought a Cervelo RS from them!
I would be inclined to follow a guide to set up your saddle. As someone above posted, fully extend your leg with your heel on the pedal and make sure your not rocking your hips when pedaling.
Once youve got the sadle right I would start by having the handlebars as high as possible on the stem and maybe flip the stem itself to raise the handlebars slightly more.
Hopefully this will give you a more relaxed (upright) riding position taking some of the weight off your arms and lower back.
As time progresses and you become more comfortable riding you can lower the bars to a more racing/aerodynamicaly position.
Finally it is probably worth doing some core excersises to build strength.
Once youve got the sadle right I would start by having the handlebars as high as possible on the stem and maybe flip the stem itself to raise the handlebars slightly more.
Hopefully this will give you a more relaxed (upright) riding position taking some of the weight off your arms and lower back.
As time progresses and you become more comfortable riding you can lower the bars to a more racing/aerodynamicaly position.
Finally it is probably worth doing some core excersises to build strength.
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