I wonder if anyone can suggest anything to help with this. I put drop bars on my bike a few months ago, having been unhappy with the swept-back bars I had been using before that. While I like the drop bars in many ways, I've found that riding with them causes pain/soreness in my lower abdomen - between the navel and groin, roughly. It usually begins several hours after finishing a ride, and happens even after rides of only a couple of miles. It's not severe pain, but I feel the effects for quite a few days after riding, and it affects my ability to walk and carry. I've persisted with this for a few months, without any improvement.
I will probably have to change to straight bars - I know from previous experience that a riding position where my hands are level with the end of the stem is OK for me. However, before I give up on drop bars completely, I wanted to ask if anyone could suggest anything else to try.
The drop bars are about an inch or so lower than the seat, and about 2 inches above the top tube at their highest point (it's an older bike, with a level top tube).
I'm grateful for any advice.
I will probably have to change to straight bars - I know from previous experience that a riding position where my hands are level with the end of the stem is OK for me. However, before I give up on drop bars completely, I wanted to ask if anyone could suggest anything else to try.
The drop bars are about an inch or so lower than the seat, and about 2 inches above the top tube at their highest point (it's an older bike, with a level top tube).
I'm grateful for any advice.