Ok..still have fit issues...I think...
05-23-06, 05:55 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by EURO
HOLY CRAP!
Here's what gives the majority of people numb hands and back problems. It's so simple most people ignore it.
Modern road bikes are designed for racing. Racing cyclists are generally fit, young, and very flexible. They are so fit and flexible that the majority of their bodyweight is supported not by the saddle or the hands, but by the feet - because they are continually putting power through the pedals.
Because of this, racing cyclists can afford to have a tiny light seat with no padding, and very low bars to stay aero.
Most people who get into road cycling are not racing cyclists. The critical area in which they differ is flexibility, specifically hamstrings. If your hamstrings are not flexible, your upper body cannot support its own weight, and you have to put that weight through your hands. The result? Numb hands.
I actually think a lot of people are buying the wrong type of bike. A flat-bar machine with skinny tires would suit most recreational and fitness riders much better than a bike ridden by a pro tour team. I blame Lance.
Original poster - the only way you are going to sort this out is to do two things. First, increase your bar height, so the upper body weight you cannot support with your hands is transmitted through your butt. Secondly - starting stretching your hamstrings a minute each straight after exercise, daily. You'll be much better suited to riding a 'proper' road racing bike after about 6 months of that.
Here's what gives the majority of people numb hands and back problems. It's so simple most people ignore it.
Modern road bikes are designed for racing. Racing cyclists are generally fit, young, and very flexible. They are so fit and flexible that the majority of their bodyweight is supported not by the saddle or the hands, but by the feet - because they are continually putting power through the pedals.
Because of this, racing cyclists can afford to have a tiny light seat with no padding, and very low bars to stay aero.
Most people who get into road cycling are not racing cyclists. The critical area in which they differ is flexibility, specifically hamstrings. If your hamstrings are not flexible, your upper body cannot support its own weight, and you have to put that weight through your hands. The result? Numb hands.
I actually think a lot of people are buying the wrong type of bike. A flat-bar machine with skinny tires would suit most recreational and fitness riders much better than a bike ridden by a pro tour team. I blame Lance.
Original poster - the only way you are going to sort this out is to do two things. First, increase your bar height, so the upper body weight you cannot support with your hands is transmitted through your butt. Secondly - starting stretching your hamstrings a minute each straight after exercise, daily. You'll be much better suited to riding a 'proper' road racing bike after about 6 months of that.
05-23-06, 07:58 PM
#52
Ride It Like You Stole It
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I would have to agree with EURO's analysis. If you're not gonna race, why punish yourself?
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
05-23-06, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by oneponychick
I would have to agree with EURO's analysis. If you're not gonna race, why punish yourself?
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
Raising the bars two inches won't cost more than the price of a new stem. Ride with the bars higher for a month. If you don't like the higher position, just put your old stem back on.
05-23-06, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
A sloping top tube is not a guarantee that a bike will fit properly. A bike shop can misfit any bike, with a modest amount of effort. A rider can get a perfect fit on a bike with traditional geometry, or one with a sloping top tube...just got to match the rider's body, and riding style to the correct size of bike.
Raising the bars two inches won't cost more than the price of a new stem. Ride with the bars higher for a month. If you don't like the higher position, just put your old stem back on.
Raising the bars two inches won't cost more than the price of a new stem. Ride with the bars higher for a month. If you don't like the higher position, just put your old stem back on.
05-24-06, 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by oneponychick
I would have to agree with EURO's analysis. If you're not gonna race, why punish yourself?
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
Go for something with more of a sloping top tube, like the Specialized Seqouia, or the giant OCR, or.........oh yeah.......the Serotta Fierte!
I'm not punishing myself...I think I just have a bike that doesnt fit properly. I dont think racing is a requirement for having a road bike. My plan is to ride hard and get a good workout. I'm sure I can do that with a flat bar bike, but I prefer a standard road bike. Quite frankly I'm not old enough yet to go with a flat bar bike!!
05-24-06, 06:44 AM
#56
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Originally Posted by Miller2
I'm not punishing myself...I think I just have a bike that doesnt fit properly. I dont think racing is a requirement for having a road bike. My plan is to ride hard and get a good workout. I'm sure I can do that with a flat bar bike, but I prefer a standard road bike. Quite frankly I'm not old enough yet to go with a flat bar bike!!
I think I would be better off with higher bars and I have this issue with getting there with a stem that has a bunch of rise...though this clearly will be the least expensive option.
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05-24-06, 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Grasschopper
I think the punishing yourself comment came from the saddle to bar drop. Be quiet about this but I am starting to question the fit of my Roubaix as well. I think I would be better off with higher bars and I have this issue with getting there with a stem that has a bunch of rise...though this clearly will be the least expensive option.
I think I would be better off with higher bars and I have this issue with getting there with a stem that has a bunch of rise...though this clearly will be the least expensive option.
05-24-06, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Miller2
Well you can use spacers instead of a higher rise.
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05-24-06, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Grasschopper
Nope I am pretty much all the way up to the top of the steerer. Going to throw the Specialized stem (it is a multi angle stem) back on with like 10° of rise and see what it feels like.
Let me know how it works.
05-24-06, 05:27 PM
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OK here's one of my "out there" suggestions. It may have nothing to do with bike fit and more to do with your current health. I have suffered from the same symptoms in the past and in my case they were to do with mercury poisioning. Pain between your shoulder blades can be refered pain from your liver believe it or not and the excess numbness when a joint is under pressure can be caused by mercury or possibly other heavy metal contaminant. Seriously.
Do you have metal amalgams in your mouth or have you/do you eat fish/seafood reguarly?
These symptoms can slip under the radar at the start because your body is dealing with them but heavy exercise can temporarily hinder your body's detoxification because both exercise and detox require vitamins and minerals. What you use when exercising is unavailable for detox and so symptoms surface.
Regards, Anthony
Do you have metal amalgams in your mouth or have you/do you eat fish/seafood reguarly?
These symptoms can slip under the radar at the start because your body is dealing with them but heavy exercise can temporarily hinder your body's detoxification because both exercise and detox require vitamins and minerals. What you use when exercising is unavailable for detox and so symptoms surface.
Regards, Anthony
05-30-06, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by AnthonyG
OK here's one of my "out there" suggestions. It may have nothing to do with bike fit and more to do with your current health. I have suffered from the same symptoms in the past and in my case they were to do with mercury poisioning. Pain between your shoulder blades can be refered pain from your liver believe it or not and the excess numbness when a joint is under pressure can be caused by mercury or possibly other heavy metal contaminant. Seriously.
Do you have metal amalgams in your mouth or have you/do you eat fish/seafood reguarly?
These symptoms can slip under the radar at the start because your body is dealing with them but heavy exercise can temporarily hinder your body's detoxification because both exercise and detox require vitamins and minerals. What you use when exercising is unavailable for detox and so symptoms surface.
Regards, Anthony
Do you have metal amalgams in your mouth or have you/do you eat fish/seafood reguarly?
These symptoms can slip under the radar at the start because your body is dealing with them but heavy exercise can temporarily hinder your body's detoxification because both exercise and detox require vitamins and minerals. What you use when exercising is unavailable for detox and so symptoms surface.
Regards, Anthony
