Mixing up hand positions on a flat bar..

[MattHB]

.. Just the above really.

Any options that can be bolted on for instance? I find an hour and I'm getting right fidgetty!

 

[nunny]

Bar ends give you more hand positions

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Also are your levers at the correct angle? Have you tried Ergon grips? They are outstanding.

 

[MattHB]

[QUOTE 1662380, member: 45"]Ergon grips.[/quote]

I got these as standard, they are good. My main issues are shoulder discomfort and wrist aches after some time in the saddle. Tried tipping the saddle up at the front to take weight off but I'm such a gangly shape it doesn't seem to make much difference.

 

[Norm]

Tipping the saddle up is not a good thing, it can put pressure on your perineum and cause, ahem, man-issues on longer riders.

Point #1 is that it might be you which is the problem with shoulder & wrist discomfort. Do you change positions? Do you move around and sit up or take an opportunity to ride with your fingers every now and then? Are you relaxed on the bike as tension is a significant cause of that sort of pain. Sit anywhere with your shoulders tense for an hour and you will get discomfort, even before you put any actual weight on your arms.

Secondly, is there any latitude to move the saddle forward? It sounds like you've got too much weight on your arms but don't screw up the saddle-pedal relationship for the sake of your arms.

Finally, if the saddle-pedal position is correct, you could fit a shorter stem (although that might affect the handling) to reduce the reach, a taller stem to reduce the weight on your arms, or get bars with a greater sweep which will also bring your hands back.

Any one of these solutions should be under £25 but I'd recommend visiting someone who:
a) knows what they are talking about (which doesn't include those offering random responses from a forum) and
b) can actually see how you are sitting and riding the bike and make a specific recommendation.

 

[MattHB]

Tipping the saddle up is not a good thing, it can put pressure on your perineum and cause, ahem, man-issues on longer riders.

Point #1 is that it might be you which is the problem with shoulder & wrist discomfort. Do you change positions? Do you move around and sit up or take an opportunity to ride with your fingers every now and then? Are you relaxed on the bike as tension is a significant cause of that sort of pain. Sit anywhere with your shoulders tense for an hour and you will get discomfort, even before you put any actual weight on your arms.

Secondly, is there any latitude to move the saddle forward? It sounds like you've got too much weight on your arms but don't screw up the saddle-pedal relationship for the sake of your arms.

Finally, if the saddle-pedal position is correct, you could fit a shorter stem (although that might affect the handling) to reduce the reach, a taller stem to reduce the weight on your arms, or get bars with a greater sweep which will also bring your hands back.

Any one of these solutions should be under £25 but I'd recommend visiting someone who:
a) knows what they are talking about (which doesn't include those offering random responses from a forum) and
b) can actually see how you are sitting and riding the bike and make a specific recommendation.

Thanks for that saddle is all the way forward, even tho I'm 6ft 6 I think I bought a frame size too big so a shorter stem might help.

I really struggle with relaxing on the bike, and I think that's 99% of the issue, I find it very hard to relax my shoulders and have to make a huge effort to keep a bend in my arms.

I've been offered a free bike fit which I'll book in next week, so that will hopefully rule out any setup issues.

Ive also just ordered some cheap BBB bar end horn type things which will allow me to move to a totally different position, I'm looking forward to that greatly!

Its getting annoying because I'm starting to push my distances out so I'm 2+ hours in the saddle and it's really holding me back.

Cheers all.

 

[Norm]

Sounds like your N+1 will be a bike with drop bars.

Bar ends might not work if part of your problem is in the shoulders. Most bar ends will actually move your hands even further forwards, putting even more weight on your shoulders and wrists.

I use Cane Creek bar ends, like these, which were specifically chosen because the bars connect to the middle of them. I am leaning no further forward whether on the bars or the bar ends which not only means there is no extra weight on my arms but also means there is no difference to the handling which can come from putting more weight on the front tyre.

 

[MattHB]

Sounds like your N+1 will be a bike with drop bars.

Bar ends might not work if part of your problem is in the shoulders. Most bar ends will actually move your hands even further forwards, putting even more weight on your shoulders and wrists.

I use Cane Creek bar ends, like these, which were specifically chosen because the bars connect to the middle of them. I am leaning no further forward whether on the bars or the bar ends which not only means there is no extra weight on my arms but also means there is no difference to the handling which can come from putting more weight on the front tyre.

I REALLY want a road bike I'll sort that out next summer, too broke right now!

I looked at those Cane jobs but wasn't sure how they attach? They say in the details that they lock to specific grips and I didn't want to bin my ergonomic ones.

 

[Zoiders]

Butterfly bars.

 

[MattHB]

Butterfly bars.

I looked at stuff like that, they look amazing! But are loads of cash

 

[Zoiders]

I looked at stuff like that, they look amazing! But are loads of cash

£20?

Tops?

http://www.parker-international.co....ogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid17492

 

[MattHB]

£20?

Tops?

http://www.parker-international.co....ogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid17492

blimey, that's cheap! I might have to do more research Would all standard leavers and wotnot fit? Or would I have to find some different ones?

 

[Zoiders]

In most cases it's a straight swap unless you need some slightly longer cable outer.

Various options are available for what you cover the rest of the bar with, be it tape or old fashioned foam covers.

 

[MattHB]

In most cases it's a straight swap unless you need some slightly longer cable outer.

Various options are available for what you cover the rest of the bar with, be it tape or old fashioned foam covers.

They look like a great option. I've ordered the bar ends now, so I'll give them a try and then if that doesn't sort it enough I'll give that a shoot.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Bar ends are intended to assist when climbing out of the saddle: if used in a seated position they will pull you forward and splay your arms out.

Butterfly or dropped bars are the only real solution. Sticking drops on a straight barred bike will likely necessitate changing the brake levers and gear shifters: ie costly but not impossible.

With butterfly bars you should be able to stick with your existing levers as long as you can get them around the bends or take them apart to fit.