drop bars pain + pedalling habits
sporteve
Posts: 141
in General Chat
hi all
i have 2 irrelevant between them questions:
1): i've been trying some road bikes recently - i ride a hybrid at the moment - and the pressure i've been feeling on the palms is very big, (feels like i am standing on my palms!) to the point they get mumb and feel like somebody is pinching my veins and versves...does this go away? - it felt similar with my hybrid handles at the beggining but so severe - is it due to the whole posture, and the drop bars themselves or it means that i dont fit the bike? - i mentioned it to the shop and they just said i need padded gloves
2) why is it that so many peoiple spend so much time riding standing on their pedals? especially when they start off at a traffic light when according to this guy here it is not such a good thing either for energy economy, posture or your bike...
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/standing.html
am i a bad cyclist for rarely doing so other than to avoid bumbs on the road?
i have 2 irrelevant between them questions:
1): i've been trying some road bikes recently - i ride a hybrid at the moment - and the pressure i've been feeling on the palms is very big, (feels like i am standing on my palms!) to the point they get mumb and feel like somebody is pinching my veins and versves...does this go away? - it felt similar with my hybrid handles at the beggining but so severe - is it due to the whole posture, and the drop bars themselves or it means that i dont fit the bike? - i mentioned it to the shop and they just said i need padded gloves
2) why is it that so many peoiple spend so much time riding standing on their pedals? especially when they start off at a traffic light when according to this guy here it is not such a good thing either for energy economy, posture or your bike...
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/standing.html
am i a bad cyclist for rarely doing so other than to avoid bumbs on the road?
0
Comments
One of the reasons people stand when setting off is that they have stopped in the wrong gear and need that extra push just to get moving.
The reason I get out of the saddle so much is that it helps to stretch my back. I tend to do this more, as you say pulling away from lights and climbing because when I'm on the flat I want to get as aero as poss for as long as poss.
Well you are either too near or too far away
Experiment or better still get a fitting.
check the position of your seat , is it level or is the nose pointing down ? if it's pointing down you will be sliding forword therefore putting more presure on your hands . you would be suprised in the diferance a cupple of milametres makes. as for standing up it is by far the best way to get power down fast think what would have happend if Cav sat down in Paris
it just feels i do not have the knowledge, experience or right criteria to do so; plus, how much can you tell of a bike at some really bad and lumpy back streets of london's west end?
i think a bike fitting is the best option...how does this work? are you obliged to buy a bike they recommend for you?...or do you get your 'measurements' and some suggestions and you proceed as you feel from there? also anyone know any good bike fitters they can recommend in london?
thanks again!
http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/bike-fitting
I would reccomend them whole heartedly, cost about £100 lasts about 2/3 hours, offers free follow up appointments, not patronising but very helpful. Done at his home. Maybe worth speaking to him before you buy (he doesn't sell bikes as far as I know).
He is indeed a nice bloke, make sure you get him to explain exactly what he's doing and why, he'll also suggest training programs nutrition etc etc in fact everything bike.
Let us know how you get on.
i am here to update on my first session with the bike whisperer
really nice bloke indeed and his wife really nice too! first session was just a chat about explaining my circumstances and my needs
we decided on the price bracket and the after checking me on my bike the size which i must say were things i already new
i look forward to the next stage as he will now have a look and come up with some suggestions on bikes - from there on, he said he was confident i wouldn't even need to test ride the bike; once we decided which one we could just get it - i guess then he will adjust and fine tune it for me
only problem has been that i had to get to him from the west end with my bike and as do not know the area and i am not the most confident cyclist in the world i had to pop trek in a black cab so the whole thing has already costed me £65 extra!
i shall let you know how things progress
Mind you I don't think I would fancy riding through the West End.
Once you get his suggestions stick em up on here, see if anyone can save you your £65