I have been biking casually for the last 5 years on a hybrid, upright bike (Trek FX). This past month, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a gravel bike with a more aggressive geometry, that looked to be everything I needed in a bicycle.
The 5-6 rides I have had on this bike have been great (and am going much faster than on the previous hybrid bike). However, near the end of the rides I feel like my neck, shoulders and arms have been slightly less comfortable on the bike, where I am trying to continually adjust my hand position every 3-4 miles.
My question is whether or not this is something that is directly attributable to the bike, or something that is more expected with just moving to a more aggressive geometry from my previous, upright hybrid bike.
Reading through some of the general tests recommended on this sub, this bike meets most of the tests (i.e. shoulders are at a 90 degree angle from torso when my hands are on the hood, cannot see the front hub bc of the handlebar when in an aero position, etc.). Which is what leads me to believe the slight uncomfortableness is just an adjustment to the geometry of the bike. I've included 2 photos for reference.
**I'd like to note that I fully understand from reading many posts on this sub, that a bike fit is the best way to ensure a proper fit on my bike. However, for both money reasons right now and the fact that I'm a more casual rider (25-35km per ride), it is something I may need to save up for later this year. For now, I am wanting to confirm that I'm not riding a bike with a size that is way off in size to prevent injury*\*
by dbzbudokai77
8 Comments
It is normal, but your saddle is too low.
Your seat height is fine and the bike looks good. It hurts cause you’re putting pressure on your arms and hands. It will get better.
Too much pressure on the hands is a symptom of being too far forward, or too stretched out. Gotta find that balance point with the fore/aft of your saddle.
discomfort? 🙅 uncomfortableness? 🙆
Agree with raising the seat. Maybe move the seat forward a bit as well. Shorter stem, maybe with a little rise, at least in the beginning, would help too.
tl;dr Part of it is probably getting used to it, but saddle position is the starting point, and everything else depends on that. In the picture you are not reaching too far, however….
First, check the geometry chart on the Cervelo website to double check you have the correct frame size.
Then…
Ideally in the picture you would have your hands on the hoods, and your arms bent, which would put you in a lower position (but not super low). That would bring your knees much closer to your chest. On the drops would be very close to your chest. If your legs don’t have the room they need, your knees will be closer to your chest, which makes the bar feel further away. Basically, you have to reach OVER your knees as well as reach the bar.
My guess is that you are just too cramped on the bike overall. Eddie B. says that trapezius and neck pain is from the stem being too short, and deltoid and tricep pain is from it being too long. However, that, and the “hub behind the bar” rule assume a correct saddle height. Unless you ride very “heels down” your saddle is too low. Your saddle position, especially fore/aft will change your relation to the bar.
Starting position is the heel on pedal for height, and bottom of the knee over the pedal axle. You can ride however you want, but if the saddle rule isn’t “correct” it throws all the other “rules” off.
Your bar may be too wide or narrow.
Somewhat normal and will fade as you get used to it and your core gets stronger.
But also make sure your saddle is at the right height and back far enough. You want your weight distributed between your saddle, your feet, and your hands. If your feet are sufficiently ahead of your saddle, you can support your body weight with your feet, relieving pressure on your arms.
Your arms should be slightly bent and shoulders relaxed when riding.
Lots of answers here, but I would like to know – how long you have the bike, how often do you ride, and are your rides always 25-30 km.
That are not long distances, and you should not have pain. But, if you don’t ride the bike for at least several months, and/or you ride once a week or less, it is normal to feel uncomfortable at the beginning. Try riding 3 times a week, even 5-10 km twice, and your mentioned distance on weekend, for example. Body needs time to adjust, and it takes few months. At photos you look quite Ok, bike should not be too long, but it depends on your flexibility. Stretching alone can help for short time, only long term solution is to actively work on your flexibility, which is also needed for enjoyable aging. I’m riding bikes for decades, and with age (63 now), I have adopted endurance/gravel geometry. However, as I have more time to ride and train, I started amateur racing 2 years ago. And discovered that racing geometry suits me much better. I enjoy riding race bikes even more. So I sold my endurance bike and now ride only race oriented bikes. With riding, body adopts. I also do 3 times a week 45 mins of strength and flexibility work, to at least a bit compensate decades of sitting (I was in IT). Also experiment with you position, changing one thing at a time, like seat highth as suggested here. Ride few times, to see how your body responds. With time, you will find what suits you most. Without such experience any bike fitting would be less sucessful.