Alternative comfort bars and stem for a S-Works Roubaix 2014

[Webbo2]

Flip the stem to begin with and see if the change of angle helps.

I use a Redshift suspension stem and never have hand problems.

Looking at this bike I don’t think flipping the stem would change anything.

 

[PaulSB]

My hands hurt after 10 mins on my S-Works Roubaix 2014 bike (with zertze inserts not future shock). When I bought it the bike came with a Zipp SL 90mm stem with -6 drop and Aerofly bars and while the bike itself feels lovely for the quite terrible roads around here, the entire cockpit positioning is just wrong for a more comfort oriented older rider like me.

They look great on the bike of course and I want something light weight and commensurate with the rest of the components but what are my options here?

I am very new to road cycling.

To my mind everything you have posted suggests your overall set up/bike position needs checking. I would start from scratch and make no assumptions. Don't make any purchases until you've done this and hopefully identified, correctly, what causes the discomfort. It does sound as though you have too much weight through the arms, this is very tiring.

I'm an older rider, 71, so I understand the comfort issue. If getting your bike fit correct doesn't solve the issue you probably have to accept this is the wrong bike for you. I don't know the bike but have read it's designed for endurance, comfort and pace. A difficult combination, I didn't realise it was intended to do this, it's never been my impression of the bikes I've seen being ridden. The only brand I've come across that genuinely delivers on this promise, for my needs, is Cervelo.

 

[Mo1959]

It sounds counterintuitive but putting your saddle back a bit can actually reduce the weight on your hands.

 

[PaulSB]

It sounds counterintuitive but putting your saddle back a bit can actually reduce the weight on your hands.

Spot on. Raising the saddle will, also counterintuitive, push the seat back and reduce arm pressure. I had to do exactly this by 18mm on my new bike.

 

[8mph]

Providing there's some steerer tube showing and room to adjust stem hight with spacers, something like this might help. Also, as others have already said, check that the saddle is level. Double wrapping the bars may help.

I bought the above stem for extra comfort on tour. Obviously, select the appropriate clamp diameter for your bars.

You can see the effect of the rise here