New Tri Bike - Need Help

[chadb]

Hello everyone! I'm new here and I just got my first tri bike. I need some help evaluating my position, so can anyone please help a brother out? Thanks in advance! The video isn't that great, but I can make another one if needed.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B6_H-LzAmcg

I'm 5'7" with about a 30inch inseam. The bike is a 51cm Javelin Varese with 650c wheels. Did I get a small bike?

Thanks!

[cslone]

How do you feel on the bike? It doesn't look too bad, but IMO, you may want to play around with a slightly shorter stem, maybe 1-2cm shorter, just to bring the elbows back a bit.

Definitely not too small though.

[StanSeven]

The position looks pretty good right now. Just be careful going to a shorter stem that it doesn't raise your shoulders.

I would try riding a couple months the way you are and see how it goes before making any adjustmnets.

[Dalai]

Second cslones comments.

Shorter stem to bring the elbows closer to 90 degrees. Possibly drop the bars slightly to get the back flatter: as long as you can ride the position and you don't loose too many watts doing this.

Check out the bike fit articles on Slowtwitch.com.

[chadb]

Thanks for the comments! As far as how I feel on the bike, today I experienced shoulder pain while riding on the aero bars. What does this mean?

Concerning shorter stems, which would be better the 1 or 2 cm change?

[What]

How much saddle time do you have on the bike? Or in the aeros in general? It may take a few hours for your body to get used to it.

For your first tri bike, I'd say you're in a good position. Definitely in the ballpark. My advice is to stick it out for a few months before changing anything and see how you feel after a couple hundred miles.
Then tweak it from there.

[chadb]

I got the bike this past weekend, so I haven't had that much time with it. I think I'll get a shorter stem to make my arms form a 90 degree angle.