Dago

Got my new bike couple weeks ago and I've ridden about 300km so far, the bike (Bianchi Via Nirone 7 with Campagnolo Xenon) has felt awesome otherwise except I'm having some problems with my elbows and shoulders. I "automatically" tend to ride (on the hoods) with my arms extended which I know you shouldnt do but it comes naturally, this "locking" of my elbows makes them hurt and my shoulders feel a bit strained aswell.

The bike is a 53cm one, I'm 5' 10" with fairly short legs (35 1/2" inseam I THINK but I might remember wrong) so the bike SHOULD be about correct size (maybe 1cm too big but I dont think it should make that much difference). The hoods DO feel a tad "far away" but I dont think I can get a shorter stem since the current one is already kinda short (havent measured but I'd guess 90mm). What should I do or should I do nothing (maybe I'll get used to it and remember to keep my elbows in a bit of an angle)?

dhale50

A 53cm with a 90mm stem at 5'10? That bike sounds too small, not too big. Also are you using your "cycling" inseam or "pants" inseam? A 35inch cycling inseam at 5'10 means you have long legs, not short. I am 5'10, 35inch cycling inseam, short torso, normal arm length and ride a 56 with a 110mm stem.

Maybe your shoulders hurt because you are too cramped? I know you said the hoods seem "far away", but that is hard for me to imagine with that short of a cockpit. Is the saddle pushed all the way back? Pics with you on the bike would help. Oh and seek a professional fitter.

Dago

Checked my inseam, its more like 32,3". Its measured by putting a handpump between my legs as up as I can (and now everyone is thinking dirty) and measuring from the top of that to the floor. I've tried to fit the bike according to https://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html . The saddle is adjusted like that site tells you ie. when pedals are level your bones protruding from bit under your knee are on the same line with the pedals axels. Need to measure my stem and try to get a picture.

cartecs3

I'm 5'10"ish as well 32" inseam and there's no way I could ride a 53.. I demo'd a 54 cervelo once and couldn't stand it. I ride a 56 cannondale.. seems like you would be pretty cramped on a 53..

umd

Your bars are too low

/thread

umd

I agree with the comments that the bike is too small, if anything. I'm 5'9" and I don't know/remember my cycling inseam (but I wear 30" long pants) and I am riding a 54 Specialized. I was pretty much between the 54 and 56 but chose the 54 for it's lower head tube, to get the bars lower. If you are on a bike that is too small, the head tube will likely be too low, and unless you have your bars jacked up with a riser stem and/or spacers in there, it is going to make you reach out & down further, and crane your neck up to see.

johnny99

Riding with locked elbows for long distances = arm and shoulder and back pain. Learn to ride with bent elbows and most of these problems should go away. If your bike is way to small, you may need a new bike. Otherwise, some improvements in core strength and or riding position should make the bent elbow riding position comfortable.

Dago

Finally got around and took a couple of pictures:



The fit has felt pretty good actually, after I have concentrated on keeping the elbows bent.

AEO

might be better if you got a positive rise 100mm stem and leveled out your bars a bit more. those bars are jacked pretty high.

qwer

To me that bike looks too small, i.e. seat/seatpost too high, handlebar height/stem too low/straight.

Maybe it's worth that you try another stem first, one with a steeper angle, so that the handlebars will be placed higher and more toward your body.

umd

Your bars are pretty low, and you have them rotated funny to compensate. Raise the bars. For sure.

Dago

Seatpost too high? I've always thought its too low if anything because theres very little saddle-to-bar drop (maybe like two to three inches atm). Maybe its the picture, I should have taken one with the bike only. You can almost see the seatpost end/saddle mount on the lower picture, its like 5mm behind my thigh.

Sure thing, I'll try putting on some spacers. I actually took one spacer off because I always see that people have huge amounts of saddle-to-bar drop.

umd

3 inches is a lot of drop for most people, especially on such a small frame.

yogi13

Frame looks too small to me. While you could tweak it a bit by playing with stem length/angle, I think if you were to get into a lower aero position you're going to be balanced a bit too far forward and in potentially too cramped of a pedaling position. I'd think you'd be better off on something around a 55 given your height and proportions.

johnny99

I agree that the bike looks too small. Your rear end is way out over the rear wheel. A 53cm frame does sound very small for someone 5'10". I know some people 4 inches shorter than you who ride a 53 (though that may depend on how the frame is measured).

Dago

Well atleast now I got a good reason to get a new frame. Would a 56cm frame be too big?

Campag4life

You are a pretty good candidate to have a fitting as a starting point until you learn more about what works best for yourself. Meanwhile flip the stem up and rotate the bars down.
Good Luck.

ThinLine

+1 with everyone else who said too small......TOO SMALL. You need a 55-56cm w/ a fitting.