Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Drops, pedal extensions, and gut

Just starting to ride again for this year and one of my goals for this year is to make use of the "drops" and the lower portion of my road bike bar. I generally have ridden on the hoods or on the bar top.

I have two issues when I try to ride in this more aero position.
1: I have pedal extensions (like kneesavers) that basically align my elbows with my knees so my knee or lower thigh contacts my elbow at the top of the pedal strokes.
2: As a clyde my gut (belly, stomach, etc) interferes with my upper thighs.

Basically my questions are: Are either of these things cause for alarm? Will I get used to them eventually?

I had my bike professionally fit to me a couple years ago so while it probably isn't perfectly fit after 2 years, it should be pretty close. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

I've found it easier to get on the drops as I lose my gut, but I only do it for short stretches when battling a strong wind. Otherwise, I spend most of my time on the hoods. I don't have any sort of goal realated to my riding position, though. My own goals are mileage and average speed related.

I have no clue about the pedal extenders, in fact I had to dop a google search to see what the heck they are.

If you want to go into your drops, one way is to raise the stem. Works like a charm. I just did that modification to curve some back issues I was having on longer rides and all of a sudden, I was able to use my drops.

Just starting to ride again for this year and one of my goals for this year is to make use of the "drops" and the lower portion of my road bike bar. I generally have ridden on the hoods or on the bar top.

I have two issues when I try to ride in this more aero position.
1: I have pedal extensions (like kneesavers) that basically align my elbows with my knees so my knee or lower thigh contacts my elbow at the top of the pedal strokes.
2: As a clyde my gut (belly, stomach, etc) interferes with my upper thighs.

Basically my questions are: Are either of these things cause for alarm? Will I get used to them eventually?

I had my bike professionally fit to me a couple years ago so while it probably isn't perfectly fit after 2 years, it should be pretty close. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

I had no idea what pedal extensions were, interesting but I have no comment.

I can comment on #2. As my gut got smaller it would interfere with my body less when I was in the drops. Now I am asking Paisan to help me drop my bars so Chef don't draft me anymore

So, all said keep on ridding and the gut will get smaller thus eliminating the issue with #2.

Options:

1. Work at losing gut. It's worked for me. The old road bike, fits again.
2. Raise stem. Doesn't decrease wind resistance or increase speed. Simply provides more hand options by substituting drops for current hoods position and providing an even higher new tops position.

That's about it without messing with your fit. Other options, like moving your saddle forward, are going to impact other aspects of your fit, like your knee position realative to pedal spindle.

Why is it important that your knees line up with your elbows? What do your elbows have to do with pedaling? Seems like an odd reason.

For #2, just ride more, as previously mentioned. :)

why have a bike that offers multiple positions and you can only use a few of them?

It seems like your two year old fit doesnt meet your current body now. Your gut will go away and your flexibility will get better. You should be able to use your drops for at least short periods, if not maybe a higher angled stem could be utilized.

for me i hated the drops last year as i would knee my gut, but needed to use them as i live in the "city of wind".

pedal extenders - dodads that move the pedal further away from the crank, to allow for wider feet and other issues.

My guese is when the OP noted his knees and elbows hit, it was not a fitting goal, but an outcome of using the extenders?

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57995

Raise stem a tad. If still troublesome, then add wider drop bars.
Vary your hand positions as needed.

My guese is when the OP noted his knees and elbows hit, it was not a fitting goal, but an outcome of using the extenders?



This is correct, before the widened pedals, it wasn't an issue.

Thanks for the advice, since my stem is already pretty high, I think the key is just get less gut. That is part of the reason I am riding anyway.

I believe the technical term for what you are experiencing is called "Belly Slap"

I believe the technical term for what you are experiencing is called "Belly Slap"

:roflmao2: