Is my frame size wrong?

kernel_gadaffi

I'm just getting back into cycling after a lay off due to injury, I have a Giant XTC4.5 with a size small frame (I'm 5'9"), I have the seat tilted slightly forward and set high due to using a below knee prosthetic leg as I cannot bend it very far, I'm ok pedalling but am getting a lot of pain in the butt and in my hands and wrists, I'm getting numbness in the hands after about 30 minutes, should I change the frame size?, I used to have a Marin and another Giant with 17.5" frames.

sheepsteeth

we'd need to see a picture of you on it to judge properly as the size might be fine for you but your riding position may need adjusting with stem length, bar width and shape and maybe even a lay back post being just a few alterations which can be made.

that said, i would say a 5 9 bloke would typically be more comfortable on a medium bike but once again, without a picture it is hard to give any accurate view of the situation.

kernel_gadaffi

I'll try and get some piccies taken tomorrow and post them.


Cheers


Alan

Anonymous

Pain in your bum, and hands are quite common when starting cycling fair distances. And, since you've been off the bike for a while, you're going to have to go through it again, I'm afraid.

I never thought much about it until I was explaining this to a mate's daughter who wanted to try mountain biking, and she said "does it not worry you that your bum stops hurting after a while?"
Truth is, it didn't, but after she asked, it did, a bit

I'm impressed that you're cycling with a prosthesis, that's just inspiring

kernel_gadaffi

I started mountain biking in 92 after losing the leg in 86 as I was becoming a fat rascal, I got my weight down from 16 to 13 stone fairly quickly and was going well until I changed jobs and wound up working 12+ hours a day, the bike went out of the window for a while, then, three years ago I fell at work, damaging my spine and the tendons and ligaments that run from the Sacra Iliac and facet joints. I only got back on the bike three weeks ago and have been doing 15-18 mile trips twice a week, I've tried several seat positions and have added bar ends to change the position of my hands but to no avail. The size small bike frame was actually more comfortable than the 17.5" ones used to be, but I'm thinking that because of the accident I had and the current back problems, I'm not riding in the same position I used to, hence me trying some seat adjustments. Having thought about it, I feel that I'm putting too much weight on my hands, because of the height of the seat.
I've had the bike 4 years and have only done 200 miles.
I might have a try at some of the local shops tomorrow to try a few other bikes.

Deputy Dawg

It might be worth trying some ergonomic grips to see if spreading the load a bit helps. Superstar do some for about £12.

tofu21

Are you using gel gloves and good shorts?

I swear by the spesh BG range of gloves. They make a huge difference. The same goes for a good pair of shorts.

There are plenty of options with you currnt bike if you want to raise your hands up a bit. New riser bar, flip your current stem, new stem, play with the spacers on the stem. A good lbs should be able to advice and let you try before you buy.

kernel_gadaffi

I have two pairs of Humvee shorts as well as two pairs of dhb lycra 6 panel shorts, I don't use gloves though, never have done apart from when its cold. I use a Specialised BG seat, the handlebars are raised about an inch and the stem is at the top with no room for any more spacers, so I can't see where I can get anymore adjustment. The biggest problem I have though is the limited bend in my right leg, if. I modify the socket on my prosthetic leg any more it will render it useless, I use whats called th Iceross system of limb, this means I wear a sleeve that looks like a condom on the stump and this has a lock pin to keep the leg attached to me, bending the leg nips the skin behind the knee and it sometimes bleeds, this is why I'm thinking a bigger frame would be better for me, I've tried a longer seat post but it goes past the safety mark before I get anywhere near comfortable. It's Puzzler.

tofu21

How about a shorter crank on one side or both?

turnerjohn

I had a small XTC 3.5 for commuting and it was a little small for me; I'm 5'7" so would say its a bit small for you ! would think a medium or even a large but without pics its hard to say.
A lot of you aches and pains are probably down to you not cycling for a time....would leave it a bit; get some more miles in; before buying a larger one though !
You may have tilted the saddle a little to much forcing your weight forward which will in turn give you pains in the wrists. Try lowering the saddle a touch and keeping it level...worth a punt

kernel_gadaffi

I've tried the shorter cranks before but it made very little difference, I cannot lower the seat as this stops me from getting a full revolution when pedalling and I get skin pinching behind the knee, this can sometimes split the skin and make it bleed, I then have to keep off the bike till it heals, sometimes I have to leave the limb off.

kernel_gadaffi

I've tried the shorter cranks before but it made very little difference, I cannot lower the seat as this stops me from getting a full revolution when pedalling and I get skin pinching behind the knee, this can sometimes split the skin and make it bleed, I then have to keep off the bike till it heals, sometimes I have to leave the limb off.

nozzac

I used to get very bad back and wrist pain plus pretty sore arse/prostate area on my old GT XC bike. This was due to the old style XC setup of low bars, long stem and generally steep front angle throwing a lot of weight forward plus my inflexible knackered back pulling my hips forward putting saddle pressure on the wrong places. I put on a shorter stem with a little rise and some riser bars and really improved things.

Not only did it make it much more comfy but made the bike more suitable for "all mountain" style riding. I.e. I don't crap myself at the top of steep sections anymore as I'm not so likely to go over the bars. I hasn't had such positive effects on steering or technical climbs where the less weighted front tends to slip more easily. Still, your weight can't be in two places at ones so you take your pick.

Northwind

16 is generally pretty small for 5'9, but pain in hands is as often about riding position rather than sizing- your arms are for control not for leaning on usually. But I have no idea how the prosthesis would affect that. I spent a while road riding with my right leg not really working at all and I remember I had to use my upper body a lot more than usual, but I don't know if that's comparable.

Usually I'm quite against these bike fitting sessions that some shops do but it might not be a bad idea in your case.

_jon_

Have you considered going for a bike fit?

I'm currently having trouble with my road bike caused by putting too much weight on my hands (tried shorter stems, changing handlebar position / saddle position etc) and so have booked a bike fit with cadence sport which should hopefully fix the problem.

If you live near somewhere that does bike fitting, it might be worth e-mailing them to see if they might be able to help you?

kernel_gadaffi

I tried a couple of shops yesterday and got to try a bike that was being repaired that was a small frame with a raised stem, I wasn't comfy at all, I did have a go on some medium and large frames and have made the decision to sell my Giant and buy something else, so if anyone is looking for a bike I have one for sale and am looking for suggestions for a bike around or below £600. Just a general trail bike with 4-5 inches of suspension and disc brakes.

Thanks for all the help.

Alan