el nicho

Hey everyone,

Complete noob to the world of cycling here; for most of my life I've been a run-only guy, having competed in college and remained somewhat serious post-collegiately. However, a recent achilles injury has kept me off the roads and well, I was going nuts. On a whim I found an awesome bike on Craigslist, bought it without much research and for the past three weeks riding as much as my butt can handle! I'm totally relating to the "August Addiction" thread.

My question to those of you with more experience: The bike I bought is Trek Madone 5.2 SL that has a 62 cm frame. I'm 6'3'' and feel like the big frame is perfect (I've never owned a serious bike before, but the bikes I've owned I always have to have the seat post all the way up...not on this one!).

Anyway: being a former competitive runner, I naturally want to get fit & fast on the bike and be competitive overnight (I'm dreaming, I know...). However, I'm trying to learn & develop good habits from the beginning so they are there when my fitness progresses. Specifically, I'm trying to teach my mind & body to get comfortable in the drops rather than riding on the hoods. After a couple of weeks of trying, I just can't stay down there for long. I feel like while in the drops the tops of my quads are bumping up against my torso and I'm bent too far forward to be down there - its uncomfortable and I feel like a higher cadence makes me bounce much more.

Is being in the drops just an unnatural position I just need to get used to, or should I go to my LBS and have them raise the handlebars for me? Thanks for any input and for all of the useful information on this site! Here's a pic of the new bike (new to me, bought it used):

canam73

Do you ride with the saddle like that? Most people start with it level and maybe angle it a degree or two.

As for staying in the drops, it's just one of those things your body will get used to over time. Or not. Some people prefer high headtubes and 'compact' bars which have less drop. Just give it some time. Either your body will adapt or it won't.

DeanB

Holy crap your seat is tilted forward....

el nicho

Thanks for the reply. I've adjusted the saddle many times trying to figure out what is best. When it is level it feels really uncomfortable...a lot of pressure right on the edge of the seat. So, it has been adjusted since I took that picture, but angled down for my comfort.

StanSeven

I would take the bike to a store and pay some money to have it adjusted. For starters, the saddle is way off. Even though it may not feel comfortable at first, it should be level. But an experienced person with fitting can get you in the right position.

Generally if you bounce while pedaling, the saddle is too high. It may not be but you should have someone knowledgeable check it all out and adjust things for you.

lechat

With the saddle pitched forward like that, the weight on your arms would be very uncomfortable in the drops. You probably could benefit from a professional fitting. More expedient than the trial & error process I went thru. Most importantly you want the saddle at the correct height and fore/aft placement so that you're sit bones are supported by it, without putting pressure on you perineum.

milkbaby

Most likely your saddle is too high. It's hard to tell by yourself, but your hips will bob up and down when it's too high. You may need a friend to ride behind you to check this.

Alternatively, maybe the bars are too low. Or maybe both conditions are a problem?

Rx Rider

before you fit, move the seat forward at least an inch and tip that seat back!! some say perfectly level, I am always in the drops and found a 'slight' tip forward to be more comfortable. You need to know that cycling is a whole body exercise. when you push hard on the pedal you need to pull hard on the handlebar to counter the force. and supporting your upper body is a great triceps workout. try moving the saddle first, give it a week, if you're still having issues and have the money, get a fit from a professional. good luck. and welcome to the forum

Nachoman

After you get your saddle and fit issue resolved, just force yourself periodically to ride in the drops. You'll get used to it real fast.

cale

Riding deep in the drops can give you confidence when cornering and descending but I like to hang on to the upper bars and hoods when climbing both in the saddle and out. As far as sprinting goes, I seem to remember grabbing the straights. ;-)

bike56

+1,after awhile you may really like riding in the drops,most do.It helped me to stretch my back{bend over and touch your toes and hang there for a few seconds,and then repeat**.Same thing with standing,force yourself to stand for a few seconds,then a few minutes,then ride in the drops out of the saddle.the drops become so easy I almost feel like I'm cheating

Brian Ratliff

Raise your bars. Your knees should not be hitting your ribs.

bikeme

Pay for a pro bike fit--a good fitter will make it so you love riding your bike. As for in the drops--yes, it is a bit weird to ride like that but you will get used to it. It may feel weirder than it should if the other settings for your bike are off. Also, a shallow-drop bar might be reco'd for you so you don't have to be so low.

ianGP

I have those 2 same problems you're having though I'm a foot shorter
My torso is long and I have short arms and legs so when I'm on the drops, my knees hit my chest... I'm actually going to a fitter tomorrow

As for the bouncing - when I first started, the bouncing came from not being able to handle a higher cadence. I rode a fixie then and going downhill around 25-30mph, my legs couldn't keep up with the speed and it would just bounce me off my seat until I slowed down.

el nicho

Thanks again for the really helpful replies - much appreciated. Can anyone chime in on how much to expect to have a bike shop fit me?

topflightpro

As others have said, a professional fit will help. A good fit will cost anywhere from $100 to $300. And try to find someone who is a fitter and not just your bike shop. And even once you get fit, it will take some time to get comfortable on the bike. Don't over due it after the fit, you could end up injuring yourself.

And as far as your desire to become competitive, your running background may prove valuable. I have a buddy who used to be a collegiate runner and he went from a 5 to a 2 in a year. At the same time, I have a neighbor who is quite a runner, but his transition to the bike was a disaster. He struggles and cannot build speed or endurance.

el nicho

Update: Went in to Freewheeler Bike Shop in Grand Rapids, MI today for a fit/adjustment session. This was an awesome suggestion and helped a ton. The guy there was very knowledgeable and helpful. He lowered the seat a bit and leveled it out and we also flipped the handlebars to change the angle. I'm much more comfortable on the bike now, and he suggested getting a different set of handlebars because the ones I have are a bit too wide for my shoulder base (my arms are pointed slightly outward while riding). Even found out that my cleats were not angled correctly on my shoes while I was there.

The best part is the guy tinkered with my bike for over an hour, answered about 100 of my questions and only charged me $45. Makes me feel bad that I bought my bike on Craigslist and not there! Oh well, there's always a TT bike, cyclocross bike, mountain bike, commuter bike to be purchased in the future!

Thanks again for the help on this thread. Off to a group ride to really test out the adjustments...

JamieElenbaas

Another satisfied 41 customer! (or is that the first?)