smahler

What is the proper road bike posture (generally speaking)? I've been having a little back, neck, and wrist pain (nothing major) while riding. I was having numbness in my left hand while riding, but I went back to my LBS and he did some slight adjustments - moved the handlebars down to relieve pressure on the hands and moved the seat back just a bit. The bike in my avatar is the one I'm referring to. Any other suggestions?

thanks!

p.s. My girlfriend and I are bad about not stretching before we ride. Does that help minimize back and neck pain while riding? Thanks again!

berner

Proper posture is dependent on what you what to do with the bike. Time trial and triathalon events require a weird very low position to minimize wind resistance. This position takes a great deal of practice and fitness. At the other end of the spectrum, folks who ride to commute to work, say, 10 to 20 miles total each day, will not be looking for maximum speed and a more upright position will be the most comfortable and will still produce enough speed to do the job and be satisfying.

It frequently happens that people will begin with commuter/comfort, straight handlebar type bike and enjoy riding so much that they may wish, after a season or two, to ride further and faster. At that point something a bit racier, requiring a different posture, suits their ambitions better. Your best course, whether or not you already have bikes, is to read this forum much and ask lots of questions. I will say that only last week I saw a woman on a flat bar bike and a very upright position zoom past while pedaling at high cadence and I couldn't catch her. She looked like a typical commuter but, man, was she ever strong.

smahler

I have a Sirrus with a flat handlebar (where I'm more upright), but I bought an Allez recently with drop bars. The type(s) of riding I do is probably a cross between touring (I go at a slower pace when I'm riding with my girlfriend) and sport (when I'm out by myself, I go at a faster pace). Hope that makes sense.

10 Wheels

Takes some seat time and miles for your body to become adjusted to riding.

My case was 10,000 miles in the first year.

smahler

Sound advice, 10 Wheels. I thought that too. Thanks!

10 Wheels

You appear to be in good shape.

Try some longer rides before it gets cold in your area.

Longer rides will do much for your conditioning.

smahler

My girlfriend and I try and do a long ride (40 miles) on the weekends and a few 20s during the week. And we'll do shorter rides and mix in sprints. We just did 50 the other week - our longest ride so far. We're going to do another 50 mile ride next month and we're gearing up (no pun intended) for a metric 100 (64 miles) in October. We're getting there.

10 Wheels

You are doing great with miles.

Passing the 40 miles mark is where one begins to have problems.

You have to eat some snacks as you pedal at 10,20,30 miles as to help you have gas in your tank to reach 60 miles.

Breakfast bars from your grocery store are very good for that.

Shifting into the big ring, standing to slowly pedal gives you a chance to stretch while riding.

Also allows blood to flow in your bottom.