I'm in the yellow. I cycled 300 km in about 2 weeks. Before that i hadn't cycled outdoors in a year. Bought a new Trek Checkpoint last month and got fitted before traveling.
These are the best recent pictures I could find of me on my bike. I already notice that my arms seem straighter than everyone else's, but I have a completely different bike so it's not a fair comparison.
My inner elbows are sore when I flex my arm out. I remembered that I had a problem with flexing them too much while riding. I am trying to have a more relaxed upper body, but then it's harder to hold myself up and control the handlebars. I feel like I'm gonna fall over.
What is the solution to this? Raise the handlebars higher? How to improve my form? I had the same problem with my older bike.
by Wild_Trip_4704
8 Comments
That frame looks way to small for you.
Have you had a bike fit? That’s the best way to sort out aches and pains related to cycling, particularly if they’re odd localized pains that you’ve never had before.
Your bike is too small for you
Your arms look almost locked out while on the hoods.
Your arms should be bent slightly. If it’s my bike, is start by trying to move the saddle forward a bit. If that doesn’t help, like others have said I’d go back to the bike fitter, tell them your issues, and they should be able to help you adjust things.
Well with drop handlebars you have to lean forward more. Perhaps normal/raised handlebar would be help with that. I have adjustable stem pulled back so I don’t lean forward so much. But I still do get elbow pain sometimes. Was thinking about a stem with suspension to absorb the vibrations.
Not only are your arms locked out, but there is a slight hyperflex there too I think. You might have some hyper flex in your joint adding to the problem
The bike looks like it is a good size, but as others have said you are probably not leaning down into the position it is setup for.
You could consider something like the [Redshift Top shelf handle bar](https://redshiftsports.com/products/top-shelf-handlebar-system?srsltid=AfmBOopdmfRdKXc39Re30PtE1I91WgQXw27zEfcDDpXSBy_NxgEGd513)
or a [Negative 17 degree stem](https://www.performancebike.com/full-speed-ahead-vdrive-stem-black-31.8mm-clamp-80mm-17-175-0030039050/p1674838?v=865224&absrc=Google&abid=779532423566&abcampid=17394200878&abgroupid=183983809181&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_bPBhDXARIsACiq8R0ghl3s6Oi1ShpOv0Tbb4UN1np2tF5TT4OpQcid8I3ufQjMaIgYFN8aAvaHEALw_wcB&abkwdid=pla-326103781421&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17394200878&gbraid=0AAAAAC1tmAueYyAKeUCYxCjrJx_xjQLxR) flipped upwards.
Both would serve to give you a more upright position by moving the bars higher.