"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Aerobar Elbow Pains - HELP!

Started getting bad elbow pains today during TTT practice and can't figure out why. It feels like my forearm is being torqued around my upper arm, causing pressure on/inside the joint. What do y'all think:

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y'all's not aero enough.

move the pads forward, if possible/practical/safe.

caveat - i haven't been on a bike with aero bars since Bill Clinton's first administration.

I know, I could lower the bars a bit by removing a spacer and might for the TTT on Sunday but for my everyday road riding that'd be too low.

botto: Are you suggesting moving the pads forward so that they are more on my forearms and less on my elbows?

I know, I could lower the bars a bit by removing a spacer and might for the TTT on Sunday but for my everyday road riding that'd be too low.

botto: Are you suggesting moving the pads forward so that they are more on my forearms and less on my elbows?

yep.

ps - read my caveat.

from what I was showed at my lbs, I think your pads needs to be moved forward. I think it's too close to your elbows.

I know, I could lower the bars a bit by removing a spacer and might for the TTT on Sunday but for my everyday road riding that'd be too low.

botto: Are you suggesting moving the pads forward so that they are more on my forearms and less on my elbows?
oups should of read the whole thread :)

Are you suggesting moving the pads forward so that they are more on my forearms and less on my elbows?

Yes, they should be further away from your elbow.

But the torque you speak of looks like its coming from the s bars, your wrists appear strained just posing, much less trying to ride, pull, really grip them. I never got comfortable with them, I have the slight L-bends from Vision Tech where I fell like I can really pull on them when cranking it out..

Good luck in your TTT

Based on my (sample of one) experience I would disagree with the recommendations that you move them further out. I like to ride in a similar position to yours, with my arms almost in 90 degree "Slowtwitch approved" bends. I find that the closer to my elbows I can get the pads, the more I can just lean on them as opposed to having to pull up on the aero bar ends.

As far as solving your pain problem, I suggest just fiddling: try changing your hand position, which will change the position of your forearm bones and the resultant pressure on nerves. Move the pads inward a bit, outward a bit, rotate or angle the bars upward to relieve some of the wrist bend..you'll find something comfortable.

1-2 inches forward of where they are should be a decent starting position for using those aerobars. But hey, what do i know? if it hurts your elbows, move forward.

Not sure about clip ons but I know the pads on my TT bike line up where my bull horn bars pass through the front bracket of the stem

Also, while on the trainer, try letting go of the s-bend aerobars and put your hands in a natural grip position with your wrists strait. Some people dont like the s-bends, because it causes you to have a bent wrist, which may be transferring up your arms.

Consult slowtwitch for more advice. This is slowtwitch bread and butter.