Road Cycling - Help with new road bike

Hi,

I just bought a Fuji Roubaix. I've been riding about 15-20 miles a day this summer on a Marin hybrid, averaging about 15MPH on very hilly NE roads. On the first two rides on the Roubaix, I found that I was rather uncomfortable, my hands went numb and I didn't improve my speed one bit. My wife, when she upgraded from a hybrid to a Trek 2000 WSD, saw an immediate jump in her speed, from 12 to 16 MPH. Any advice out there? Does it just take time to get used to the positioning and the bike? Or is it a matter of the motor, not the machine?

Thanks,

Mslijunk

get the bike fit to you. Ask the shop you bought it at if they'll do it for free.

Both. Hands going numb could be from improper fit - you got too much weight falling on them. Your reach could be too long or your bars too low, or it could just be a matter of getting used to the new position.

If you were fitted, I'd say stick with it for awhile and see if it improves. Concentrate on taking weight off the hands whenever possible. If you weren't fitted, I'd suggest looking into it.

55/Rad

Both. Hands going numb could be from improper fit - you got too much weight falling on them. Your reach could be too long or your bars too low, or it could just be a matter of getting used to the new position.

If you were fitted, I'd say stick with it for awhile and see if it improves. Concentrate on taking weight off the hands whenever possible. If you weren't fitted, I'd suggest looking into it.

55/Rad

I was not fitted for the bike other than for height. Would raising the handlebars help? It seems as if I'm falling forward and the handlebars seem lower than I remember from my past road bikes, like when I was a kid. Getting fitted will help for comfort, but not for speed, correct?

M

Hi,

I just bought a Fuji Roubaix. I've been riding about 15-20 miles a day this summer on a Marin hybrid, averaging about 15MPH on very hilly NE roads. On the first two rides on the Roubaix, I found that I was rather uncomfortable, my hands went numb and I didn't improve my speed one bit. Does it just take time to get used to the positioning and the bike? Or is it a matter of the motor, not the machine?

Thanks,

Mslijunk If the bike doesn't fit,it's not going to happen.Some fit issues can be adjusted. A badly sized frame can't be.

A properly fitted bike will maximize both comfort and speed.

55/Rad

I agree w/ 55/Rad, when you are fit properly and comfortable, you will be able to spin without thinking about position/comfort/pressure points, you'll be able to push your cadence higher - voile! Instant speed...

Im sure you have some kind of computer on the bike, if so does it have cadence? You should keep the rpm between 85 and 95 at all times, That is what you train yourself to do. As you get stronger you will go to higher gears and then the speed goes up. Good training.

raise the stem so that it's level with the saddle. you can "fit" yourself, don't necessarily have to go to the bike store.

sd