So I admit I am a total newbie to biking and on the far side of sixty. I started riding my Verve 3 more and more just for fitness. As you probably know this is a bike with a vertical riding position. My body build is 5-11" and 165 lbs. Long arms and legs. As I rode further I descovered the original seat was not comfortable. So I started reading and looking for something else. I tried a couple of seats and then I read about the Brooks B17. Lot of fans but also some critics. I jumped in anyway. After using the proofhide treatment and riding it a bunch I think I have it broken in. I can now ride an hour at the time and not feel uncomfortable. I have it located where it feels right fore and aft and I have the nose tilted up so I'm not feeling like I'm sliding off the nose of the saddle. Here's my question, when I feel the need to pedal harder (more power) I notice I lean forward a little bit and have a bit more weight on my hands. Is this a normal reaction or an indication should I move the seat forward a bit? Thanks for any help or advice.

Maybe. Depends on other things we may or may not find out.

I have no experience with hammock type saddles. So that might change how any clues you give are interpreted. But going forward with your upper body when you pedal harder is a natural thing. And to some extent ones position on the saddle might change too. I and some others will tilt our hips/pelvis with our upper body to keep a flat back. And that sometimes on some saddle shapes involves the position on the saddle changing as that tilt of the pelvis causes us to roll on our ischium. Some prefer to keep a upright hip/pelvis and bend at the back. Which works for some. Maybe more than a few, but not for me. You'll need to figure out what works for you. I see in the pro athletes a little of both. So evidently it's a personal preference. And reasons that seem valid can be made for both.

As to why you feel more weight on your hands when you do this has me a little puzzled. As normally there isn't much much actual change in the position where you sit to make that big and noticeable difference. So are you moving your butt forward a significant amount when you pedal harder?


Other things might be you got the wrong size bike. Or the wrong bike model for the position you want to be in. I notice your bars are angled up very high. Is that for the bar height you prefer or to bring them closer to you?

Your saddle also looks like it's already forward in the clamp, but the picture angle and the dropper post might be deceiving.

Probably the first thing you should do is make sure the saddle is at a proper height for you. To high or too low will make other things act on you differently.

I'll try to answer the questions you asked. The bike is a medium according to Trek. It looks like that is about right for my height. (maybe on the borderline) Yes I found I needed the handlebar height where it is to get them closer to me. Previous to moving the bars closer I definately had to much weight on my hands. In the current position even when I lean into the power position, the weight on my hands is tolerable and nothing near to what I felt when the bars were lower. I am not moving in the saddle when I lean into the power position, more of a pelvis tilt I would say. I guess this tells me it it more of a natural thing to do. The saddle is about mid way on the clamp. The best I can tell the seat height is about right. I can put my heel on the down pedal easily with my leg locked. In my natural foot position my knee has about a 35 degree bend with the pedal at a 6:00 position.
I have tried many seat heights and tilts along with the bar height change to come to where I am. If I do anything now it will be in tiny increments. Thanks for your thoughts. Mike

The best setting will vary a lot on your personal physiology. I tend to ride with my Brooks saddles set level, some like them a bit with the nose more up, sometimes way up. A lot depends on how the bar is set, and how much reach you have. I've been using Brooks B17 saddles for about 15 years now, and I often go on rides of 6 to 10 hours, without padded shorts. My butt is generally the only part of my body which doesn't suffer on such long rides. An occasional trial-and-error adjustment can reap good benefits. A recent change of moving my saddle forward 5mm had greatly reduced the potential for numbness I occasionally experience. Formerly, I would get out of the saddle every few minutes to allow a little circulation. Now I can stay in the saddle without the occasional numbness issues. Changes in position change naturally when climbing and accelerating. I find I shift my weight the same way when accelerating on a motorcycle or when going faster on a horse.

You're just discovering why drop bars are used rather than flat bars on racing bikes. Leaning forward to put out more power is how cycling works for everyone.

Same as in running: sprinters doing a 100-yard dash lean far forward; distance runners maintain a more upright position, race walkers are bolt upright.

So what type of riding are you doing or want to do? And do your normally like to go at a pace that is hard and has you sweating soon after you start. Or are you just out for a enjoyable and calm ride?

If you are just out for the enjoyable calm ride, then you bought the wrong bike. IMO.

The specs for the Verve 3 gen 5 say you should have gotten a large frame. With no being on the borderline. Though that will have put the bars further from you. Since you seem to want to sit very upright, IMO, you should look at a cruiser type bicycle. And one with those old timey swept back bars. They'll put your hands in a more comfortable position. And closer to you if you can find the right model and size.

As for this bike, you've done the stuff that can be done easily. Now you'll have to make it something it's not. Or adapt yourself. Make certain that you aren't letting your hands bend at the wrist when you hold the bars. I use to have a tendency to ride with my wrists bent almost ninety degrees on my old style drop bars where I mainly rode with my hands on the horizontal tops. Also letting the rear half of your palm support your weight is a no-no. You'll get numb hands quick with either.

Wrap your fingers around the bar and only have the pads below them touching the bar. And keep your wrist straight. It'll take quite some getting use to if you are in the habit of one of the other.

Also, for us old people, I highly recommend exercising the core body muscles. Which the bike does nothing for your core strength. It's mainly for your heart muscle.

Exercises for the glutes, upper arms and shoulder girdle help to keep me more comfortable in my race position on my Tarmac. Especially for long 60 mile plus rides. They'll probably help you stay more comfortable too. As you get older, then like many of us you probably do less. muscles loose their tone and mass if they aren't worked. Muscles are what support our skeleton. And as they weaken, our joints and other things will complain.

Thanks for all the replies fellows. I will continue to adjust a bit at the time. I feel pretty comfortable now. I am riding to stay fit, with no intention to compete. My rides are more leisurely than fast but I do occasionally have to climb some inclines. Again thanks for your suggestions.