Road Cycling - Elbow Question

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Elbow Question

Syncros-CL6
04-01-03, 01:42 PM
So i just switched from Mt Biking last yr...and ive noticed that when I get back from riding on my road bike (02 Lemond Buenos Aires) my elbows KILL....what can I do to prevent this, as I never experienced it in the 6-7 yrs of Mt biking...im only 23 and have no other probs...

Thanks

-J

ZackJones
04-01-03, 02:05 PM
Syncros-CL6: Sounds like you are locking your elbows while riding. Do you vary your hand positions while you're riding? Every so often make a conscious effort to flex your elbows. My wife has a tendency to lock her elbows and I have to reminder her every so often to flex them.

If all else fails and your BA is a 55cm frame send it to me and I'll take it for several extended test rides to make sure it's not the bike :)

Zack
HOG-I
04-01-03, 03:06 PM
I agree with Zack. You might want to look at the length of your stem. I have gone to a shorter stem as I had the problem of locking my elbows due the the reach. If your seat i.e., knee over spindle is OK, don't move your seat forward but adjust your stem length. Good luck.

phillydoc
04-01-03, 03:17 PM
I ran into the same problem... only right arm only-felt kinda like tennis elbow. For me it has to do with how much weight I'm carrying on my hands. I was just fitted for a new bike ('03 Bianchi Veloce) and am now riding a bit more compact than I used to. Result for me was a lessening of weight on the hands/arms and a much less stiff elbow (but not gone altogether). Anyway, your not the only new rodie who finds this an issue
Syncros-CL6
04-01-03, 05:31 PM
what do you mean by too much weight on your arms?
MichaelW
04-03-03, 02:39 AM
Your weight is supported by feet, butt and hands. The ratio of weight supported is affected by your riding position. If you are riding with a very low or stretched out bar position, you put more weight on your hands and less on your butt.
You need to ensure that your overall riding position balances aerodynamics with comfort. Make sure that your elbows are always slighly flexed, and your shoulders relaxed. You may want to experiment with moveable stem to test different positions. By raising the bars, and flexing your elbows more, you can often find a more comfortable position.
Ensure that your bars are the right width, and your brake levers are positions comfortably on the bars, up and down and in rotation.