ILZA

Hi all

I recently changed my bars to a wider with a shorter reach and drop bars. Upon the change, I found tat I have been experiencing leg burns during my rides...something which I did not had before.

I have been trying to follow a program wich includes intervals ...but I did not experience the leg burns then. The leg burns only started on changing the bars...

Could the leg burns resulted from :

1) the intensity of the interval programs?

Or

2) the change of bike fit due to the change of bars?


I could not pin point the exact reason of the burn....there was no other change in the bike fit other than the bars...



Any opinions r much appreciated.

Thanks

Smokinbbl

I would say you are getting the burn from both. Is the burn in the front (quads), or the back (hamstrings)? If its in the hamstrings, then it could be that your are bent over more than you are use too.

Either way, burn is good!

ILZA

Burn is good? Its in the hamstring....main concern is its affecting my ride....

Smokinbbl

if its hamstring, then you are bent to far over. Do you have your stem flipped? you could flip it back up to put you into more of an upright position. If you are getting a burn in your hamstrings, then the only way to get it to go away is to stretch and get more limber, or adjust the bike so you don't have to bend so far over.

When I stay in the drops for longer period of time, I get a burn too. I get the burn because I am stretching my Hammies! that why I said the burn is good.

ILZA

Probably it's the position of the hoods? After changing the bars,I went for a ride n felt the burn. Thing is I should not be bending so far over coz the new bars have shorter reach...

Damn...should not have changed bars

dralways

I see you joined this forum this year, how long have you been riding?

Posting a before and after (or atleast after aka current) pic of your setup would help diagnose your problem alot..

ILZA

I have riding close to two yrs...

Here r the pics of the set up..

Before :


After:


Many thanks for ur advice... The initial bars have longer reach n lower drop.. The new bars have a shorter reach and drop... So technically I should not feel more stretched out... But again I maybe wrong..

Smokinbbl

The new bars may have a shorter reach, but thats only if you put the shifter as far out on the bend as possible. The way you have the bars set up ( and your set up looks great ), the new bars have a longer reach than the old ones.

I like the looks of the new bars, and I would't want to change them back.

If your are reaching to far, but feeling it in your legs, you could move the seat forward to compensate the reach. that might help.

You could also raise the bars up to the top of your stearer, that way your not bending over as far.

good looking bike.

ILZA

Thanks for ur reply. Just to share, previously on the old bar, I was on a 100mm stem but felt too cramp. Change to a 120 mm stem n felt better. Would it be better to revert to a 100mm stem? Or could it be possible tat I'm feeling the strain of the interval programs I'm doing?

Smokinbbl

change to the shorter stem, and continue with the program. Your problems will go away... If not, then there is a bigger issue. But you said it yourself, the problem didn't start till you changed the bars.

Smokinbbl

one more question, do you feel this burn when your riding on the hoods, or in the drops. If you feel it when riding on the hoods, does it get worse if you go to the drops? and if you only feel it in the drops, does it go away when you go to the hoods? If it hurts when you ride on the hoods, can you move back to the flat part of the bars, and does it go away then?

ILZA

Thanks bro. I will change to the shorter stem.

FLvector

Before you start tweeking your saddle position and other things on the bike, I'd suggest to back off on the intervals for now to see if the burn disappears. Try doing some longer rides to see how your body feels after 50+ miles in the saddle. It may take several weeks for you body to adjust to this new setup since your involving some different muscle groups to accommodate the new position. If all is good and your legs no longer burn, then get back to your intervals. You may want to give a day of rest after riding if you legs are still burning, since this is a result of microscopic tears of the muscle tissue. It needs to heal before you do it all over again.

Smokinbbl

no problem, I went through something similar, except I felt like I was reaching to far. changed my stem, and moved my seat, and finally got it dialed in. good luck, and keep me posted and let me know if it works

ILZA

I feel it while riding on both. The burn came at the point when I was doing on of the intervals on Sunday. It burned till I was unable to continue the interval and after resting, I tried a second set of intervals...and the burn came again...subsequently I felt the burn thorough out.
I'm wondering if it's the interval rather than the change of bars.

ILZA

Thanks bro. I have read abt the microscopic tears...one question though...I have another bike which is set up almost similar to the 'before' bar change setup...do I have to adapt to both bikes now?

ILZA

U felt burns on ur hammies? Mind sharing ur setup ?

Smokinbbl

I get a slight burn when I am in the drops, but its just my hammies stretching to far. I am not very flexible.

Cyclelogikal

I am surprised that your shoulders don't burn going to a wider bar unless the wider is the correct sizing for you. But I would say the change in overall ride position is the cause and your body should settle in once it gets use to the new position.

ILZA

Nice ride Bro. I was thinking of the shifters position on my bars... Do u Tink it will alleviate the problem if I shift up the shifters higher up the bars almost similar to urs? Will it be better without changing the stem? I'm not flexible too

Smokinbbl

Thank you!, I think our shifters are very close to the same hight. I think if you move your shifters up more, they will look funny. Why don't you give your body some rest, then try riding your bike without doing the intervals and see if the pain comes back. If it comes back swap your stem and try again. A stem swap is easy, and takes like 10 min.

ILZA

Yeah... I guessed I push it top hard... Will take some time off... N ride again... I will let u know

ILZA

The shoulders did burn abit but I have another bike wif the same width bars... The only ting unbearable is the leg burn

ILZA

Any other opinions?

wheelreason

Yes, but its Christmas, and I want to be on the nice list...