Originally Posted by
volosong
The only way to realistically mitigate body pain when riding a bicycle, (other than the "pain" produced an aerobic workout), is to get a "professional fit". It costs somewhere around $150 to $200 and the certified fitter will work with your body first, then adjust and "fit" the bike to you personally. It's an investment, but well worth it. Padded gloves will help too.
I would start with padded gloves and possibly padded handlebar tape, as well. I would then raise the handlebars a bit and possibly, as suggested above, slide the saddle back just a bit. It is also important to make sure the saddle is not pointing downward toward the front, which increases the load on the hands as one fights against sliding off the front of the saddle.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069