Got my new bike today and man is it FAAAAAAAAAAAST!!!

mattward1979

Hey =D

After much deliberation and trolling of forums/bike reviews, I picked up my shiny Specialized allez 2010 sport today, and in all its white loveliness, rode it from Oxford street to Dartford in an hour and a half lol! (about 16 miles, mostly HEAVY traffic)

I absolutely love it!!

BUT! (there is always a but.... )

This being my first road bike, I just want to ask if the new aches and pains I am now suffering with are normal. Basically my forearms, lower back and neck are on fire!
Im hoping this is just down to the more agressive riding position of a road bike compared to my rather more upright MTB!.

Thanks in advance

mattward1979

actually, Back and Neck pain is gone.

My forearms feel like ive pumped weights for hours!

feel

Don't worry about the back pain....



will be back tomorrow

BoboGib

forearm pain - i'd say your holding on too tight. Loosen up and use your elbows as suspension.

Anonymous

Welcome to road cycling, pain is omnipotent.

autobahn

Congrats on your new bike. I got mine at start of August and for first few times I sufferred with neck, and back something shocking, never mind the arse pain. The arse pain was sorted as I simply wasnt riding enough.
You may of been more tense as it was your first outing and in heavy traffic
The back and neck I dont think will ever really go but it gets better as you get out more and I only get it now after really long distances and I guess its due to the fact we are meant to be in that position for long periods.

Mothyman

you are tense with the excitement of joining the roadies

and a bit of RSI from typing the sale of the MTB on fleabay..


welcome

mattward1979

is it possible that the bike is too big for me? I seem to be reaching forward for the horns, maybe meaning im forced to put pressure on my forearms...

Or should I just suck it down, get down lower and learn to live with the pain? =P

Garz

BoboGib wrote:

forearm pain - i'd say your holding on too tight. Loosen up and use your elbows as suspension.

+1

Also if any of these persist start adjusting the bike to fit your posture.

hopper1

mattward1979 wrote:

is it possible that the bike is too big for me? I seem to be reaching forward for the horns, maybe meaning im forced to put pressure on my forearms...

Or should I just suck it down, get down lower and learn to live with the pain? =P

Don't accept pain, if it's not meant to be..
Rough rule of thumb... Get on your bike, grab the hoods. Now looking down, you shouldn't be able to see your front hub (hidden by bars).
If you can see it behind your bars, you may be stretching too far, if it's in front, you may be too cramped...
If necessary, go back to LBS and get them to set it up better.

Kneesaway

Hi

Have a look at this Vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guk7Q0QslOU about setting yourself up properly. It does sound like you may be a bit stretched out.

Kneesaway

gtitim

The forearm pain might be that your putting too much pressure on your arms which can happen if your seat is much higher than your handle bars. Best to get a proper fitting. You shouldn't really be in pain.

fnegroni

If you are overstretched, you might just need to get a shorter stem.

Every bike needs some adjustment. Sometimes you can get away with moving the saddle fore/aft.

Sometimes you must replace spacers/stem/handlebar...

It's part of finding the perfect fit.

skinson

Another good method is, as you are pedalling along hands on hoods, you should be able to let go and not fall forwards.
Dave

Pross

More likely to just be the new position. Your upper body takes more weight on a road bike than an MTB. Your muscles soon adapt but might be worth getting an experienced bike fitter to take a quick look.

mattward1979

Thanks for the advice all

Been out riding more, and as suggested tried loosening my grip, relaxing my shoulders and making sure im not reacing too far.

With this the only time I feel any discomfort is braking, but this im putting down to using different muscles and an unfamiliar riding position!

If it continues ill take it back for adjustment

fnegroni

skinson wrote:

Another good method is, as you are pedalling along hands on hoods, you should be able to let go and not fall forwards.
Dave

Well, maybe on an upright setup. Certainly not on any race bike I have ever ridden. Not even my mountain bike.

If you can let go, then you are sitting on the saddle. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

hopper1

fnegroni wrote:

skinson wrote:

Another good method is, as you are pedalling along hands on hoods, you should be able to let go and not fall forwards. Dave

Well, maybe on an upright setup. Certainly not on any race bike I have ever ridden. Not even my mountain bike.

If you can let go, then you are sitting on the saddle. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

This is good advice, as used by bike fitters to help judge correct reach.
Place hands at the side of the hoods, if you're too stretched, you will feel it pull in your lower back/ glutes.
Probably best done with bike fitted in a turbo.

fnegroni

hopper1 wrote:

fnegroni wrote:

skinson wrote:

Another good method is, as you are pedalling along hands on hoods, you should be able to let go and not fall forwards. Dave

Well, maybe on an upright setup. Certainly not on any race bike I have ever ridden. Not even my mountain bike.

If you can let go, then you are sitting on the saddle. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

This is good advice, as used by bike fitters to help judge correct reach.
Place hands at the side of the hoods, if you're too stretched, you will feel it pull in your lower back/ glutes.
Probably best done with bike fitted in a turbo.

That's a completely different thing: even if I don't feel overstretched when placing hands on hoods, I will still fall forward if I let go.