General Cycling Discussion - Ride upright or hunched over?

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence. True, but I can't see riding bent over like that.

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

Ride how you like, but it's clear that you don't know what you're talking about.

Recumbent.

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence. True, but I can't see riding bent over like that.

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

You are right, and everyone else is wrong ... good luck.

However, if your bike fits you properly, you may find out it's not as bad as you think.

The forward lean on a road bike is much better for your back.

Please share with us your thoughts on clipless pedals.

Ride how you like, but it's clear that you don't know what you're talking about.

And I thought the Arrogant Roadie Prick had gone extinct...

For the OP: "Hunched over" is the wrong term. If you subscribe to the "handlebars way lower than the saddle" school, you want a more or less straight back, with a bend at the waist. And it IS hard on the neck, for marginal benefits.
Brief history lesson (I can go on and on...): drop bars were developed to give the OPTION of an aero position, with the tops about level with the saddle to allow comfortable cruising. Over the years, many racers and wannabe racers and wannalooklike racers have shoved the bars lower and lower, so they suffer nearly all the time. Works for pros, who can train six hours a day, but it's hard for the rest of us.
Several years ago, after 30 years of trying to make my body conform to a racer's idea of how a bike should be set up, I decided to raise the bars and make the bike fit me, rather than the other way around. Instantly, I could ride 30 percent or so longer without discomfort, and my times on familiar rides went DOWN, whether because I was fitter or I didn't have to fight the bike.
Don't completely ignore the advice of the ARPs, but for ordinary humans, there are other ways to set up a bike than the one you see in the Tour de France.

I have seen the light.

No... waitaminute.

That is total crap.

Please share with us your thoughts on clipless pedals.

OK if I share mine? I've done the same 25-mile RT commute 80-100 times a year since 1979, on almost every combination of bike, tires and pedal systems, from a recumbent on fat cruiser rubber through a singlespeed, three different mountain bikes, half a dozen road bikes with tires ranging from 23 to 41mm, and with pedals from BMX flats to high-zoot clipless. For a lot of that time I kept careful (obsessive?) records of equipment and times, and I don't find ANY correlation between pedals and speeds. Tires make a little difference, not as much as I'd expected. The bike makes some, but of my five fastest trips, three were on the singlespeed (it's a good Reynolds 531 frame) and one on an old Bridgestone mountain bike.
Pedals? Meh. I have clipless on my Rambouillet, but either Power Grips or toe clips on everything else. I still swap them out occasionally just for a change, and in everyday riding, at least for me, they don't make enough difference to measure.

Tires make a little difference, not as much as I'd expected. The bike makes some, but of my five fastest trips, three were on the singlespeed

Wind makes the biggest difference. If only there were some way to be more aerodynamic while riding.

I have seen the light.

No... waitaminute.

That is total crap.

TWO ARPs. Maybe they'll breed...
This is the attitude that's kept Americans off bicycles for 50 years, and made things harder for those of us who do ride: There's only one way to do things, and anyone who doesn't do them your way is a hopeless dick, not worth noticing. The average guy tries riding for a few days, can't get comfortable or turn a 53-tooth chainring and loses interest. Meanwhile he's been ridiculed by the self-styled "real" cyclists, and he sees them running stop signs or taking what he believes is his share of the road, and he becomes a cycling opponent because he thinks everybody on two wheels is an arrogant ass. We run into this every time we try to get a new bike lane or a place to lock up in my town: two-thirds of every government body or citizens' committee comes to the meeting already pissed off at cyclists because of previous experience.
Thanks for contributing, though...

Mostly hunched over (I prefer to think of it as stretched out). But between the old cruiser, three road bikes and handful of mountain bikes I have bikes setup for several back angles from 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

I advise against riding continuously for more than an hour with a 90 degree setup. I know it sounds weird but that can be pretty hard on the back especially on rough roads.

hunched over and in the drops is not the same thing. if you ride hunched over, in the drops, your back will hurt. but you'll probably ride hunch over on a cruiser and your back will hurt. bad posture will not improve with different bars.
I ride 80% in the drops because it's better for my back, which is straight. as for looking ahead, it''s just not that hard to do.
curious, how long were you riding before you decided that others were cro-magnums looking for loose change on the ground. and does demeaning others that don't do things your way improve your self esteem?

Ride how you like, but it's clear that you don't know what you're talking about.

Thank You.

arrogant ass.
Thanks for contributing, though...

you're welcome.

And I thought the Arrogant Roadie Prick had gone extinct...



LOL. What a ****. Read the OP again, he's clearly trolling. And if he's not, he clearly doesn't know what he's talking about, as you have demonstrated in your reply.

FWIW, riding flat-backed is not hard on the neck. If you rotate your pelvis forward and open your chest you can look ahead without your neck being strained. And this is not advice for the pros in the TDF, I am a pretty average 57year-old performer.

But feel free to continue to make assumptions. It's the only way to maintain your conviction that you know everything.

And I thought the Arrogant Roadie Prick had gone extinct...

Hardly. Read any thread where the ARP Conventional wisdom is challenged, or even questioned. Be it pedals, posture, or provenance of the equipment. The ARP's tout their all knowing knowledge and experience that makes them the "Competent" Masters of the Bicycling Universe.

Upright, thank you very much. Have never liked that hunchback posture.

The substantive replies seem to concede that riding hunched over (90 degree angle) is hard on the back, esp. for more than an hour or so. That's what I thought. But if your experience is different, let us know.

I'm a new biker, and have started with a low-end bike modified with higher bars so I can ride upright. (And low-resistance tires, which makes a world of difference.) Riding for me is not a race, though those $3,000.00 racing bikes, as I call them, sure look cool. And light as a feather. But the bars are all dropped down to a "hunched" riding position. Thus the reason for my post.

If anyone finds that postion perfectly comfortable for longer rides (2+ hours), let me know. I'm a hiker by first love, but the nearest mountains are about 800 miles away, so bike by default but love it. Biking is great.

I think you misread my post. I measure back angle with level ground being 0 degrees, thus upright=90 degrees.

Riding "hunched over" places less weight on your butt and helps keep the spine from compressing as each bump in the road is encountered.

i require a fair bit of saddle to bar drop to be comfortable on a bike. my road bike drop is about 4". my hybrid drop is about 3". this is because if i sit too upright, my back will get aches and pains.

my folding bike has bars that are about dead even with the saddle, and if i ride it for too much more than an hour, i'll start getting back pain. my road bike where i'm allegedly "all hunched over" (though in reality "stretched out" is a better description) is far more comfortable and i can ride it for hours on end (i rode it 900 comfort-filled miles across great britain last june). i think the more horizontal position of the back helps absorb jolts and vibrations from the road better than the vertical back position of an upright posture.

however, everyone's body is different. if sitting upright works for you, don't let any tell you otherwise. remember the first rule of bike club: if you're riding a bike and not having fun, then you're doing it wrong. do what works for you.

If anyone finds that postion perfectly comfortable for longer rides (2+ hours), let me know. I'm a hiker by first love, but the nearest mountains are about 800 miles away, so bike by default but love it. Biking is great.

I thought I already did that. by all means ask more questions you'll have no interest hearing the responses people give, substantive or not. we love wasting our time helping people verify what they already knew to be true.

I thought I already did that. by all means ask more questions you'll have no interest hearing the responses people give, substantive or not. we love wasting our time helping people verify what they already knew to be true.

This. There's no point in feeding a troll.

The substantive replies seem to concede that riding hunched over (90 degree angle) is hard on the back, esp. for more than an hour or so. That's what I thought. But if your experience is different, let us know.

I'm a new biker, and have started with a low-end bike modified with higher bars so I can ride upright. (And low-resistance tires, which makes a world of difference.) Riding for me is not a race, though those $3,000.00 racing bikes, as I call them, sure look cool. And light as a feather. But the bars are all dropped down to a "hunched" riding position. Thus the reason for my post.

If anyone finds that postion perfectly comfortable for longer rides (2+ hours), let me know. I'm a hiker by first love, but the nearest mountains are about 800 miles away, so bike by default but love it. Biking is great.

:rolleyes: What a train wreck!

Some people can't tolerate or don't like not riding upright. Many people deal with it just fine. Feel free to ride the way that works best for you.

The mistake you are making is the assumption that your experience as a "new biker" is relevant to experienced cyclists.

My bars are lower than my seat and I regularly ride 60+ miles (including 100+ mile rides) and I have no trouble. This experience is common (that is, there are many riders who do similar rides and have no problems).

If your speed is 15+ mph (approximately), there is no easier way to increase your average speed than to not ride upright. If your average speed is low, it doesn't matter so much.

TWO ARPs. Maybe they'll breed...
This is the attitude that's kept Americans off bicycles for 50 years, and made things harder for those of us who do ride: There's only one way to do things, and anyone who doesn't do them your way is a hopeless dick, not worth noticing. The average guy tries riding for a few days, can't get comfortable or turn a 53-tooth chainring and loses interest. Meanwhile he's been ridiculed by the self-styled "real" cyclists, and he sees them running stop signs or taking what he believes is his share of the road, and he becomes a cycling opponent because he thinks everybody on two wheels is an arrogant ass. We run into this every time we try to get a new bike lane or a place to lock up in my town: two-thirds of every government body or citizens' committee comes to the meeting already pissed off at cyclists because of previous experience.
Thanks for contributing, though...

:rolleyes: Useless.

There are lots and lots of casual cyclists in the US.

Ride the way that works best for you.

Try riding that way when you are 70 years old with a touch of R A here and there. You won't sound so smug.

As someone who recently enjoyed a fairly successful troll in the 41 I always like to see a good effort. This one falls a little short for me though. It has no panache or pizzazz and frankly, seems a bit perfunctory. I give it a c-.

Try riding that way when you are 70 years old with a touch of R H here and there. You won't sound so smug.
I ride with people in their sixties and seventies. All of whom ride not-so upright on "racing" bikes.

Anyway, why should people who are younger act like they are the 70 year olds you are imagining?

Try riding that way when you are 70 years old with a touch of R A here and there. You won't sound so smug.

Hey I am 70 with 3700 miles this year, on this.

With 12 centurys

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Hawkiepic.jpg

Hey I am 70 with 3700 miles this year, on this.

With 12 centurys

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Hawkiepic.jpg

Looking good brother! Nice bike.

Try riding that way when you are 70 years old with a touch of R A here and there. You won't sound so smug.

Try imagining that there are 70 year-olds twice as fit, and as savvy, as you. You'll feel a lot less smug, too.

LOL. What a ****...FWIW, riding flat-backed is not hard on the neck. If you rotate your pelvis forward and open your chest you can look ahead without your neck being strained...

Would you mind giving my doctor a call? I want him to have the unique experience of talking with somebody who knows more about my neck than I've learned in 40+ years of cycling or that he's learned in 30 years of doctoring.

Would you mind giving my doctor a call? I want him to have the unique experience of talking with somebody who knows more about my neck than I've learned in 40+ years of cycling or that he's learned in 30 years of doctoring.

:rolleyes:

He's using the generic "you" (he isn't talking about you in particular).

It is funny that you are complaining about something you did too!

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Your back isn't supposed to resemble the Pyrenees; if you keep your back relatively straight, it's actually at its strongest in that position.


Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

That's called "Shermer's Neck," and yes it can be a problem for ultra-mileage riders.


I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

I've got no problem with you riding that way, as long as you understand that not everyone will agree. For me, a recumbent addresses the issues you raise, plus a few more. I'm pretty sure everyone would ride recumbents, IF they all shared the same priorities as me. Not that that'll ever happen either...

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?Actually, there is a significant difference if you are riding into a headwind. You might not like riding hunched over like a caveman looking for change but you could build monster legs (the kind that scare women and children) if you cant cut the resistance.

Seriously, to each his own. I have the option with the typical road bike drop style bars, with flat bars you dont.

Hey I am 70 with 3700 miles this year, on this.

With 12 centurys

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Hawkiepic.jpgNow that's what I call "racing geometry".....that bike isnt so bad, either.

Ride on.

With drop bars, you get about 4 different positions. With your hands on the tops of the bars, you are most upright. You can then ride on the curves, down the the brake hoods, then all the way to the drops. It's useful to have the variety, and choose the position that's right for you at the time. Also, bars & stems have a wide variety of dimensions to accomodate different people.

As for arrogance, it seems to be in abundance by more than just the "roadies" m....Pot, meet kettle. It started in post #1.

There have been a few other threads recently with the same "I've never done it, but it's probably bad ..." theme ...... never ends well.

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence. True, but I can't see riding bent over like that.

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

I hear ya bro! I've got Shermer's neck, three bulging discs, chronic hand pain, and a wicked case of ED, but I still can't give up my go-fast bikes. It's an addiction, steer clear!

I even ride "hunched over" on mountain bikes. This one used to be even lower but I put a hi-rise stem on it for my 40th birthday :)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5674157997_6d9a15a2b0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/5674157997/)
Time Trial MTB (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/5674157997/) by Lester Of Puppets (http://www.flickr.com/people/lesterofpuppets/), on Flickr

The substantive replies seem to concede that riding hunched over (90 degree angle) is hard on the back, esp. for more than an hour or so. That's what I thought. But if your experience is different, let us know.

I'm a new biker, and have started with a low-end bike modified with higher bars so I can ride upright. (And low-resistance tires, which makes a world of difference.) Riding for me is not a race, though those $3,000.00 racing bikes, as I call them, sure look cool. And light as a feather. But the bars are all dropped down to a "hunched" riding position. Thus the reason for my post.

If anyone finds that postion perfectly comfortable for longer rides (2+ hours), let me know. I'm a hiker by first love, but the nearest mountains are about 800 miles away, so bike by default but love it. Biking is great.

I've ridden for 7 hours between the hoods and the drops---"hunched over" as you'd put it. I'm closing in on 59 years of age. Since you asked, I figured I'd let you know.

How do your hands feel after an hour on straight or riser bars, sitting upright? Kinda numb? Mine do. Doesn't happen when I'm "hunched over". Any ideas on why that's so?

"Hunched Over"

http://buttonmuseum.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/Medium/try-it-youll-like-it-f.png *


*
Always consult your cycling professional before beginning any hunched over exercise program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your cycling professional. Consult with your cycling professional to design an appropriate exercise prescription. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your cycling healthcare provider.
WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR cycling healthcare provider
If you experience any symptoms of weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness or dizziness, chest pain or pressure, nausea, or shortness of breath. Mild soreness after exercise may be experienced after beginning a new exercise. Contact your cycling healthcare provider if the soreness does not improve after 2-3 days

All bike setups are merely examples, and are no way intended for exercise prescription for anyone viewing this thread. Use these as guidelines and modify for your physical abilities. See a bike fitter to give advice on what hunching over settings are good for you if you wish to start a cycling regimen. Consult a cycling healthcare provider to see if you are healthy enough to engage in hunching physical activity before starting.

Please share with us your thoughts on clipless pedals.

+1

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence. True, but I can't see riding bent over like that.

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

If you're a new rider or haven't ridden much, your lower back muscles will get sore and hurt. As you ride more in that position and the muscles firm up it ceases to be a problem or uncomfortable. In terms of good posture, all your upper body weight is on either your hands or seat - your back is just suspended in between. It's actually a very relaxed position and you can stay in it for hours.

Regarding your neck, same thing. If you haven't ridden in that position much, the neck pain can be quite bad. Eventually you've ridden in that position enough that the neck muscles get stronger and it's no longer an issue. Think of the number of cyclists that do multi-hour rides - centuries, 200,300, 400K, etc. If one's neck couldn't (learn to) do it, these cyclists wouldn't be doing these rides.

Some cyclists prefer an upright style, some prefer recumbents, but the number of "normal" road bikes and cyclists that ride them, some for great distances, indicate that your concerns regarding neck and back pain can be avoided or grown out of with enough time/experience/miles.

See Dutch bikes, and copenhagenize, http://www.copenhagenize.com/


it is possible to look good, while well dressed and, siting up like at the dining room table.

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence. True, but I can't see riding bent over like that.

First, your back is bound to give you grief after awhile. Not exactly good posture.

Second, you have to lift your head up to see, which after awhile will probably result in a pain in the neck.

I like to right upright. Sure there's some wind resistence, but at least I'm riding in a natural style and not like some cro-magnum looking for loose change on the ground.

Comments?

First it isn't Cro-Magnum it was Cro-magnon to show a difference between Neanderthals when talking about early man, now called EMH. But that isn't the point. Some people ride bolt upright and some ride in a triangle. I don't set bolt upright even on my MTB but I used to on a pedal forward bike. Even with a drop bar not everyone rides in the drops. But when it is blowing like the dickens dropping out of the wind seems a bit easier. Those of us that ride drop bar road bikes aren't conviced sitting upright is more comfortable. Those that ride upright could care less about the things drop bar riders value. Nothing will change except the condition or either group of riders. Then there are bent riders who can't understand why everyone doesn't cycle with there feet up like an OBGYN table.

Most bikers I see are hunched over on those low-slung handlebars. Most of them say it's to reduce wind resistence.

Where exactly did you see bicycle riders that ride like that? In an organized race?

Riding "in the drops" will indeed reduce wind resistance, but in everyday street riding cyclists don't ride like that permanently. Continuous riding "in the drops" is something you might see in an organized race, but when the very same cyclists ride on the streets they usually ride "on the hoods". This is by far the most popular riding position for bicycles equipped with drop bars. Outside of a race the "in the drops" position is usually used only temporarily, when riding at maximum speed downhill. Once at the bottom of the hill, cyclists usually exit the drops and switch back to "on the hoods" position.

The "on the hoods" position is more upright than "in the drops". If you so desire, you can also ride in "middle of the bar" position, which is even more upright. But I personally find the "on the hood" position the most comfortable.

Hey I am 70 with 3700 miles this year, on this.

That jersey is hypocritical unless it is really "42 below" vodka in those frame-mounted bottles.

P.S. This picture is too small.

I even ride "hunched over" on mountain bikes. This one used to be even lower but I put a hi-rise stem on it for my 40th birthday :)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5674157997_6d9a15a2b0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/5674157997/)


my old lady would kill me if she caught me riding my bike in the house, again.

Clipless pedals are very dangerous. They hurt my back.

The substantive replies seem to concede that riding hunched over (90 degree angle) is hard on the back, esp. for more than an hour or so. That's what I thought. But if your experience is different, let us know.

What are you talking about??




If anyone finds that postion perfectly comfortable for longer rides (2+ hours), let me know. I'm a hiker by first love, but the nearest mountains are about 800 miles away, so bike by default but love it. Biking is great.

I ride in a position that is comfortable for rides of 8 or 10 or 12 or 24 and more hours. It's not that difficult to find a comfortable riding position.