12strings

What's the solution if I feel like too much of my weight is on my hands and arms?

Shorter stem? Higher handlebars? Something I'm not thinking of? Just leaning farther and bending my arms more?

Thanks!

johnny99

Bend your arms more. More sit-ups if necessary.

chasm54

Could be lots of things. Is your saddle tilted nose-down? That could throw your weight forward. Is the bike the right size? Would you prefer a more upright riding position, in which case raising the handlebar may help. The first thing to do is have someone experienced look at you on the bike, and make an assessment of your riding position.

AnthonyG

Actually, The first thing to consider if you have too much weight on your hands is the fore/aft saddle placement. Move the saddle back for less weight on hands and move forward for more weight on hands. LOTS more going on than that but that's the first thing to consider. If your on the shorter side then the seat tube angle on an off the shelf frame is ridiculously steep so getting the saddle position back as far as you can is the first step.

Here's a test. Stand in the middle of the room, now imagine your on a bike and get yourself into a low tuck position. Done? Its easy somehow. Now see where your bottom is. Its WAY behind your feet. Now, back yourself up against a wall and try again. You can't do it can you without falling forward because you can't place any weight behind your feet to counter balance the weight in front of your feet.

Anthony

12strings

I think the saddle position is a good place to start...however once I move it back, I know I'll need to use either a shorter stem, or raid the handlebars, or both.

Thanks.

Road Fan

This is a good thought process. I like to get my center of gravity over the BB axis when I'm in the saddle and holding the bars comfortably. Then position the saddle so it contacts my sit-bones correctly when balanced. I may have more saddle pressure in this position, but that just means the saddle design and position also have to be correct for me.

Road Fan

Yes, I agree! You may need an adjustment or two before you're done.

md11mx

Now see where your bottom is. Its WAY behind your feet. Big, big light bulb for me!!! Thank you Anthony!
Cheers,
David B.

Lars Halstrom

What happens to knee over pedal spindle positioning or cleat positioning when you move the saddle backwards?

jyl

KOPS is overrated. It doesn't matter if your knee cap isn't "precisely" over the spindle of your pedal. In my experience, anyway. Often riders will slide back in the saddle for maximum leg extension in big gears, or slide forward for high rpm hammering, so there goes perfect KOPS. I do think you shouldn't be grossly far from KOPS but I think an inch off is fine for most people.

AnthonyG

Well assuming that you were at KOPS to begin with then you simply move behind KOPS.

Most short riders are positioned way in front of KOPS by bicycle manufacturers. They need to have the saddle moved back as far as it can be to get anywhere near KOPS.

Being behind KOPS is a relaxing position but its not so easy to spin high cadences when behind KOPS in my experience. My view is that most recreational riders SHOULD be on bikes that have them behind KOPS yet FAR to many recreational riders are set in front of KOPS by major bike manufacturers. Being a little in front of KOPS might be OK on a time trial bike but putting recreational riders in front of KOPS is well, STUPID!

Anthony

Lars Halstrom

In my experience, the LBS is the one who sets up the saddle at KOPS for your leg length. How would a manufacturer know the length of the rider's legs? I'm going to move mine back today and see what happens. Do I need to move my cleat position on my shoes as well?

fietsbob

add more saddle setback and the C of G shifts to your Butt, & reduced on your arms .

& you can sit up more.. Higher handlebars closer to You ..

Touring rather than racer's posture. less need for speed ?

AnthonyG

Bike fitters are good at fine tuning your position but its the manufacturer of the bike who has to get your position in the ball park. Sometimes they don't even try. They are more concerned about a number on a specification sheet, even though they know that the resultant riding position will be terrible.

Anthony

Lars Halstrom

If you want a bike that's made for your body, you'll need to go to a custom bike builder. Manufacturers make bikes for the average person's measurements for their height. They'd go broke otherwise. Go to the thread in bike fit https://www.bikeforums.net/fitting-yo...-you-ride.html asking what size bike do you ride and how tall are you and you'll see.