Elbow positioning

Gabbo
Gabbo Posts: 864
edited November 2012 in Road general
Hey guys, quick query here.

If, when cycling, your elbows are sticking out laterally whilst on the hoods, then does this mean you'll require a wider bar?

Should your elbows be tucked in or does that only apply for time trialling?

Thanks

Comments

  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Standard is to get the same width as your shoulder blades.

    Some like wider for a more stable feel -> some like narrower because it reduces frontal area.
  • Gizmodo
    Gizmodo Posts: 1,928
    Normally the bar width should roughly match the width of your shoulders.
    Most people seem happiest with their hands positioned on the bar at about the same distance apart as the width of their shoulders, so that your arms are roughly parallel when reaching to the bar.
    http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
    But at the end of the day, it is about your being comfortable.
    Summer - Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 9.0 Team
    Winter - Trek Madone 3.5 2012 with UDi2 upgrade.
    For getting dirty - Moda Canon
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    Between upper and lower arm works for me.
  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem. Nothing to do with handlebar size, unless the bike overall is too small. Your elbows will slightly point out, that's normal. But it's not clear to what extent you're talking about. In my profile picture while climbing box hill, my elbows are pointing outwards a little. Also, see here: charliebucketcycles.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/parisroubaix2.jpg
  • JamesB5446
    JamesB5446 Posts: 471
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem.
    If his hands are on the hoods, how are they too close to the stem?
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem.
    If his hands are on the hoods, how are they too close to the stem?

    He's cut the bars down to 20cm
  • Joeblack
    Joeblack Posts: 829
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem.
    If his hands are on the hoods, how are they too close to the stem?

    He doesn't mention where his hands are positioned, I'd say until the op speaks up we can only conclude that his poor riding position is wiggles fault :!:
    One plays football, tennis or golf, one does not play at cycling
  • blackpoolkev
    blackpoolkev Posts: 474
    I reckon it's all to do with the position of the wrist.If the wrists are horizontal,the elbow will tend to point outwards,conversely vertical wrists make tucking in much more natural.
  • NewTTer
    NewTTer Posts: 463
    Joeblack wrote:
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem.
    If his hands are on the hoods, how are they too close to the stem?

    He doesn't mention where his hands are positioned, I'd say until the op speaks up we can only conclude that his poor riding position is wiggles fault :!:
    Go back and read the OP, he does say, when hands are on the hoods
  • Joeblack
    Joeblack Posts: 829
    NewTTer wrote:
    Joeblack wrote:
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem.
    If his hands are on the hoods, how are they too close to the stem?

    He doesn't mention where his hands are positioned, I'd say until the op speaks up we can only conclude that his poor riding position is wiggles fault :!:
    Go back and read the OP, he does say, when hands are on the hoods


    Ahhhhh just testing!!!

    Gotta keep you guys on your toes :wink:
    One plays football, tennis or golf, one does not play at cycling
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem. Nothing to do with handlebar size, unless the bike overall is too small. Your elbows will slightly point out, that's normal. But it's not clear to what extent you're talking about. In my profile picture while climbing box hill, my elbows are pointing outwards a little. Also, see here: charliebucketcycles.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/parisroubaix2.jpg

    You're full of great advice these past few days...
  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    nweststeyn wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem. Nothing to do with handlebar size, unless the bike overall is too small. Your elbows will slightly point out, that's normal. But it's not clear to what extent you're talking about. In my profile picture while climbing box hill, my elbows are pointing outwards a little. Also, see here: charliebucketcycles.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/parisroubaix2.jpg

    You're full of great advice these past few days...

    Like JoeBlack I misread OP's post, hence why I thought he may have had his hands on the tops. No need to jump on the bandwaggon mr absolute.
  • B.M.R.
    B.M.R. Posts: 72
    I found that my bars may be a tad too wide, or my positioning is wrong too. I was always getting a dull ache in my left elbow when I cycled for more than an hour.
    I realised what it was when I saw some official photos on the web of me when I did a charity ride, with my hands on the hoods my left arm was not only locked out, but actually you could see a slight bend THE WRONG WAY. Now I make an effort to keep my elbows relaxed and lean a little closer to the bars, and all is good. So for me a little bend is a good thing, but it may also mean something is sized wrong.
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    TakeTurns wrote:
    nweststeyn wrote:
    TakeTurns wrote:
    No...that just sounds like your riding position is incorrect. Don't put your hands so close to the stem. Nothing to do with handlebar size, unless the bike overall is too small. Your elbows will slightly point out, that's normal. But it's not clear to what extent you're talking about. In my profile picture while climbing box hill, my elbows are pointing outwards a little. Also, see here: charliebucketcycles.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/parisroubaix2.jpg

    You're full of great advice these past few days...

    Like JoeBlack I misread OP's post, hence why I thought he may have had his hands on the tops. No need to jump on the bandwaggon mr absolute.

    l.jpg

    ????
  • jfrankland1991
    jfrankland1991 Posts: 100
    The hoods can move as they are designed to be fairly flexible in case you crash. Maybe have a try moving them to different positions - i have the problem with locking my elbows when cycling and really have to tell myself not to do it - it might just be a habit that takes a while to get out of. I have been told that the v-shape made by your thumb and index finger should be inline with the top of the hoods so the top of your hand should be at roughly 90 degrees to the top of the hoods. However, this is not set in stone, its what makes you feel most comfortable
  • schleckster
    schleckster Posts: 21
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    Standard is to get the same width as your shoulder blades.

    Some like wider for a more stable feel -> some like narrower because it reduces frontal area.

    This.

Categories