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Riding position...

Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
edited February 2011 in MTB beginners
Experimenting with my riding position / technique at the moment which is improving but I feel as though I'm putting a lot of weight through my arms / wrists... any advice?

On my motorbike I use the tank to hold my body weight to reduce the weight through my arms but obviously I cannot do this on the MTB and as a result my lower arms are becoming pumped when riding :oops:

Any advice appreciated. I'm wondering if its because the saddle is high in relation to the bars which is making me lean forward?
2009 Carrera Fury
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Posts

  • Jack 123Jack 123 Posts: 118
    What stem do you use? You can try to get a higher angle shorter stem. Try to move your seat forwards see if that helps. I had the same problem on my bmc when the bars were to low so I moved the bars up and in and it was fine. If you are reaching to far and putting to much weight on your arms it will feel like this.
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    Use the standard one on my Fury mate... no idea what that is ... :oops:
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    I've added around 2-3 inches to this pic of height of saddle / stem:

    6b09b5ec.jpg

    You can see the stem is already at highest?
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • Jack 123Jack 123 Posts: 118
    How tall are you is the bike to big? try a wider riser bar. I went wider and loved it so much more control. I run these and love them not to flashy but very stiff and good price http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=19257
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 28,799
    Maybe you don't actually need to raise the front at all, it could just be a matter of getting used to it.
    On a motorcycle, most (hopefully) of the weight on the tyres is due to the bike.
    On a mountain bike, most of the weight is your body. You need to make sure you have enough weight on the front tyre for it to grip.

    (Of course, weight distribution is also important on a motorbike, but it's less pronounced since you are a smaller percentage of the entire weight)
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    Jack 123 wrote:
    How tall are you is the bike to big? try a wider riser bar. I went wider and loved it so much more control. I run these and love them not to flashy but very stiff and good price http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=19257

    I'm 5ft 11... that is a 16" frame so no the bike isnt too big :lol:

    Must admit the bars seem quite narrow compared to some I've ridden...
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • FenredFenred Posts: 428
    Your saddle height looks low to me in comparison to your bar/stem combo. Careful with moving the saddle fore/aft as it could impact on your knees. Wider bars will take stress off your forearms but means your shoulders will take more stress. def worth a try but dont make loads of adjustments all at once, also try rolling the bars back a little and move your brake levers up a little, proper allignment should follow your forearm line. Good luck.
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Yes, the saddle looks far too low if you are 5ft 11, unless you have very short legs!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    supersonic wrote:
    Yes, the saddle looks far too low if you are 5ft 11, unless you have very short legs!

    Have increased the height of saddle quite a bit now but seems as though more weight on wrists now?
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    You may be too hunched up on the bike. I'd try a riser bar with more height, or stem.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • omegasomegas Posts: 970
    Mr OCD wrote:
    supersonic wrote:
    Yes, the saddle looks far too low if you are 5ft 11, unless you have very short legs!

    Have increased the height of saddle quite a bit

    To start with set your saddle height so you have the correct leg extension when you pedal, that is a must.
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    omegas wrote:
    Mr OCD wrote:
    supersonic wrote:
    Yes, the saddle looks far too low if you are 5ft 11, unless you have very short legs!

    Have increased the height of saddle quite a bit

    To start with set your saddle height so you have the correct leg extension when you pedal, that is a must.

    I've done that tonight... It's set correctly now.

    Ok is there anything else can do with existing setup or do I need higher / wider bars?
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Nothing more you can do really. Time to experiment with bars and stem.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • getonyourbikegetonyourbike Posts: 2,804
    saddle position on rails?
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    getonyourbike wrote:
    saddle position on rails?

    Forward or backward? It's in the middle
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • getonyourbikegetonyourbike Posts: 2,804
    Mr OCD wrote:
    getonyourbike wrote:
    saddle position on rails?

    Forward or backward? It's in the middle
    both, trail and error really, you could be too stretched out or too hunched over.
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    Ok thanks... Riding tomz so will experiment...

    New seat height now:
    d007faf7.jpg
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • omegasomegas Posts: 970
    Could be expensive but you might have to experiment with different stems and riser handle bars.
    Depending on what you are riding ,finding what is comfortable or the balance of weight distribution between front and back for maximum grip when you need it.
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • Clark3yClark3y Posts: 129
    surely that frame is too small for someone 5'11"?
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 28,799
    Clark3y wrote:
    surely that frame is too small for someone 5'11"?
    You'd think so wouldn't you. Particularly with the low seat before, I cannot fathom how he'd end up with so much weight on his arms. Maybe he just needs to build some upper body strength.
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    Clark3y wrote:
    surely that frame is too small for someone 5'11"?

    Nope it isn't... Tried 18" frame and felt too big... Carrera frames are quite large compared to some other brands.
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 28,799
    Doesn't seem to make much sense. I'm 5'10", and I'd be kneeing myself in the face on that.
    The OLD link in my sig is my old wolfridge, with the saddle set for long distance riding, for my shortarse 5'10" frame
    (the shot of the new bike has it lowered for more jumps ad drops)
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    edited February 2011
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    Doesn't seem to make much sense. I'm 5'10", and I'd be kneeing myself in the face on that.
    The OLD link in my sig is my old wolfridge, with the saddle set for long distance riding, for my shortarse 5'10" frame
    (the shot of the new bike has it lowered for more jumps ad drops)

    Have you tried a 16" Carrera frame then?

    With an 18" frame my bollocks sit on the top tube... not exactly ideal for trail riding or the type of riding I like doing (light downhill / red / black route) ...

    I spent alot of time trying different size bikes including a ride on an 18" Carrera Vengeance and felt at home on the 16" fury frame... my knees come no where near my face. :lol:

    The 16" feels great, fits me well and gives me confidence to throw it around ... just concerned with how much weight I seem to be putting on my wrists.

    I suspect moving the seat back on the rails may make a big difference... or failing that wider riser bars...

    As for upper body strength ... trust me its not a problem ;)
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    Here is me next to the bike to give you an idea...

    eb5eb1aa.jpg

    :lol:
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 28,799
    That looks even more, erm, too small like that :?
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,904
    Is that onboard TV?
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    cooldad wrote:
    Is that onboard TV?

    Yep... iPhone :lol::lol::lol:
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • Mr OCDMr OCD Posts: 382
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    That looks even more, erm, too small like that :?

    Really? - I was told time and time again on here to buy a bike on how it fits / feels ... like I said I tried loads of bikes from Trek, Specialized, Carrera and Boardman... 16-17" felt right to me hence it was a choice between a 16" and 18" Carrera in the end ... and like I said the 18" felt massive...

    If I was doing light road work / XC then I'd probably try and get on with the 18" I guess but I like doing trail / light downhill therefore it is advised to go for a bike that's right sized / slightly smaller than something that is too big...

    By all means if I am definately riding the wrong size bike then feel to correct me and I will look into possibly re-framing it.
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,904
    Mr OCD wrote:
    cooldad wrote:
    Is that onboard TV?

    Yep... iPhone :lol::lol::lol:

    Isn't there an app for sizing bikes.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 28,799
    It does look like you stole it from your girlfriend, or a child. The bike looks far too short (front to back) as well as too small.
    With that in mind, I have absolutely no idea how you are ending up with sore arms, since logic would suggest you are dam well near upright on it.
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