rb07

I recently inherited my dad's road bike (a 70's Motobécane grand touring (pictures)) and after rebuilding it, I've finally got it more or less finished. I've ridden it about three times and after the first time I rode it I noticed I had matching bruises on my forearms (which at the time confused me because I didn't know what they were from). The second time I rode it I figured out these came from when I was ridding in the drops, my forearms sometimes will hit the bar. Since then I've raised the stem a bit and it has helped, but I was wondering if that is the solution or if this is just a normal thing.

Thanks!

Camilo

How can they hit the bars when you're in the drops? Can you post a photo of you on the bike showing the problem?

rb07

Basically, I have to reach pretty far to get to the brakes (which might be part of the problem), so when I have my hands resting on the curve behind the brakes, my arms occasionally hit the top bar (also probably because this was one of the first times I rode the bike!). I will try to get a picture tomorrow. Since raising it, it has been less of a problem but the one book I have doesn't really mention this and I thought I would ask around

Unfortunately on my commute home today I broke a spoke, so the rear wheel is at the LBS, but I should get it tomorrow.