Another Bike fit issue
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- rodneycc
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Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 11, 2015 2:47 pm
Its one angry machine... And every time I look at it sideways the BMC screams that it wants to hurt my ageing body...
The first ride on it I hurt my knee and had to take a week off to recover...
Fixed the seat height and the next ride I hurt my upper back and suffered with that for another week.
Adjusted the fore/aft and now I've got numb hands and a super sore right elbow...
You know I've got 5 other bikes.. Its not like I'm stupid and can't set the bike up right but this one is sooooo frustrating!
The amount of times I've got the tape measure out and measured my fit distances and angles, I'm running out of patience.
So back to the sore elbow. I can live with the amount of numb/sore hands at the moment as I sometimes get this on long rides anyway (core muscles aren't great). I had an accident on the same elbow a long while ago so I think the cartilage isn't great in that elbow and is a weak point. I checked on my recent ride I wasn't locking my elbows out. I've considered adjusting the shifter inwards a little which might help. My dilemma is I'd probably like to come forward a touch more on the saddle but that will put more pressure on my hands.
So anyone got any tips for sore elbows but not at the expense of the hands ?? Thanks.
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby cogs19 » Fri Sep 11, 2015 4:47 pm
Can I ask where your pain is located? Mine is focused on the inside of my elbow and the pain tends to radiate outward and causes some general aches throughout my arm and some numbness in hand and fingers. It's isolated to one arm, and I have no memory of ever having injured it.
I ride a commuter so I'm on a flatbar, which would mean you and I are contacting the bars at different angles. I too am conscious of locking my elbows out.
- Tim
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby Tim » Fri Sep 11, 2015 6:57 pm
At it's worst the pain and numbness can radiate from my hands, through the wrists, up to the elbows and into my armpits.
Is it your thumb, index and middle fingers going numb? This normally identifies a CPS diagnosis from other pressure point/nerve compression problems in the hand where the other fingers (little pinky etc.) go numb.
I reckon if you can sort out the hand numbness the elbow pain might correspondingly resolve itself.
Good luck.
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:20 pm
Bar height would almost be at its max raised height.
But thanks for the info Tim gives me something to think about. I'm prob not really flexy enough for the Race geo these days!
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby CKinnard » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:28 pm
Rodney, no offense but it seems you have too much time on your hands (or elbows).rodneycc wrote:So anyone got any tips for sore elbows but not at the expense of the hands ?? Thanks.
A racing bike is meant for serious young racers....not stiff overweight mamils.
Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth.
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:32 pm
This is the first time its raised its ugly head on the bike though. My 5 other bikes not much of a problem. Just a really weird one on the BMC which prob comes down to the racy geo.
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:42 pm
Yeah I haven't got a fused spine yet CK I can dream I'm still young and flexible. That young Cadel whipper snapper isnt that much younger.CKinnard wrote:Rodney, no offense but it seems you have too much time on your hands (or elbows).rodneycc wrote:So anyone got any tips for sore elbows but not at the expense of the hands ?? Thanks.
A racing bike is meant for serious young racers....not stiff overweight mamils.
Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth.
But can you tell me why the TCR I can ride ok but not the BMC. Gotta be something out there I'm doing wrong. I'm not giving up yet!
Funny I jumped on the TCR and pumped out a PB. I then jumped on the BMC and nearly put me in hospital! (ok exaggerated).
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- redsonic
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby redsonic » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:51 pm
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 11, 2015 9:02 pm
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
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- g-boaf
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby g-boaf » Mon Sep 14, 2015 11:16 am
Working on core strength can help enormously with your bike riding. Again, this is something you'll need to work out with a physio who can recommend the right exercises to do for your level of fitness and abilities.
There must be a fit difference on the BMC versus your TCR. TCRs are supposedly the race bikes and the Defy the more relaxed one. I can't see what else could be different.
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Mon Sep 14, 2015 2:40 pm
I haven't touched the BMC since last week. To be honest I'm a little bit disenchanted. I bought the TCR and the BMC frame at the same time because I couldn't decide which "Race" type bike to buy and both were so cheap (and even cheaper bought together). I couldn't be happier with the TCR - that's been amazing so I guess I was due for a let down. I put a lot of time in building up the BMC (with the help of my LBS to finish it off ). Stack and Reach between the two aren't dissimilar so there can't be much in it - just having a little break....
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby RyanA » Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:08 am
I used to ride a flat bar, which gave my numb hands regularly, however I recently bought a second hand drop bar roadie to see how that felt. I now prefer the drops for getting to/from work, but after a week or two of commuting on it, I started to get this pain in my elbow which is progressively getting worse.
I think I'll have to get a fit done at the LBS, as I don't know how to check the fit for a Roadie. My elbows aren't locking, I know that much.
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby g-boaf » Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:45 am
That doesn't seem right. That has alarm bells ringing for me. Has someone had a look at the fit? I don't mean a bike shop, I'm thinking someone who is very skilled at doing bike fits - someone like Steve Hogg or Pavetheway.cc (both in Sydney). I think you aren't in Sydney (from memory), but how important do you see this, are you worried that the managing pain might change to not being able to ride a bike at all?rodneycc wrote:Yeah, I know what you mean by knee pain can come from elsewhere. I kind of live with and manage knee pain now and have got to know the hurty bits and when to back off or ignore.
When I got a TT bike, Pavetheway did the fit on that and it was amazing, I could ride that bike for 160km with absolutely no pain from the saddle at all. I never expected that on a supposedly stiff and very unforgiving bike. Bike fits do work wonders.
I suspect for you a bike fit on both of the bikes might help along with getting some investigation into the pain you are dealing with by a physio.
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:59 am
Yeah I had been thinking of getting a professional physio type fit and I may still do it. But I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to following medical instructions. I know they will say stretch before and after riding and do this exercise or that exercise to strengthen this and that, lose weight, eat healthier etc and the good intentions will last about a week before me just jumping straight back on the bike and not really doing what I should (I'm just horrible with that sort of stuff - I hate to think what I'd be like when I get some really serious condition!). I don't consider my ongoing dodgy right knee pain that serious. Its something I've had for a long time (only in the right and not the left which not only hampers cycling but other sports, or walking lots of stairs etc). Manageable getting old stuff I put it down to . Its not shoe specific either (get the same with flat pedals) so I just think there is a weakness there and it only really flares up when I do dumb stuff (e.g like grinding hills with too heavier gears on a new bike with the seat too high! Not too bright).g-boaf wrote:That doesn't seem right. That has alarm bells ringing for me. Has someone had a look at the fit? I don't mean a bike shop, I'm thinking someone who is very skilled at doing bike fits - someone like Steve Hogg or Pavetheway.cc (both in Sydney). I think you aren't in Sydney (from memory), but how important do you see this, are you worried that the managing pain might change to not being able to ride a bike at all?rodneycc wrote:Yeah, I know what you mean by knee pain can come from elsewhere. I kind of live with and manage knee pain now and have got to know the hurty bits and when to back off or ignore.
When I got a TT bike, Pavetheway did the fit on that and it was amazing, I could ride that bike for 160km with absolutely no pain from the saddle at all. I never expected that on a supposedly stiff and very unforgiving bike. Bike fits do work wonders.
I suspect for you a bike fit on both of the bikes might help along with getting some investigation into the pain you are dealing with by a physio.
Edit: Guess I'm also scared the bike fitter might also take the same line as CKinnard and might say give up the idea of ever riding fast race style bikes.
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby RonK » Tue Sep 15, 2015 12:56 pm
So what was your point in posting then?rodneycc wrote:But I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to following medical instructions. I know they will say stretch before and after riding and do this exercise or that exercise to strengthen this and that, lose weight, eat healthier etc and the good intentions will last about a week before me just jumping straight back on the bike and not really doing what I should (I'm just horrible with that sort of stuff - I hate to think what I'd be like when I get some really serious condition!). I don't consider my ongoing dodgy right knee pain that serious. Its something I've had for a long time (only in the right and not the left which not only hampers cycling but other sports, or walking lots of stairs etc). Manageable getting old stuff I put it down to . Its not shoe specific either (get the same with flat pedals) so I just think there is a weakness there and it only really flares up when I do dumb stuff (e.g like grinding hills with too heavier gears on a new bike with the seat too high! Not too bright).
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:15 pm
Hi mate, If I find anything that helps I'll report back. Might take a few weeks to make small adjustments to get to the bottom of this one. I suspect its a combination of fore/aft saddle position and bars too low at this stage...RyanTAkers wrote:Sounds like exactly my problem too, right elbow, inside, bony bit. It hurts for a few days (extending the arm/flexing outwards hurts) after a 20km+ ride. Problem is that I commute 20km each way every second day, so the pain is getting worse and not having time to recover.
I used to ride a flat bar, which gave my numb hands regularly, however I recently bought a second hand drop bar roadie to see how that felt. I now prefer the drops for getting to/from work, but after a week or two of commuting on it, I started to get this pain in my elbow which is progressively getting worse.
I think I'll have to get a fit done at the LBS, as I don't know how to check the fit for a Roadie. My elbows aren't locking, I know that much.
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:38 pm
Edit: (original post deleted)
I know you are thinking why ask for advice when I don't seem to take on the medical advice offered. Well I do take on some advice but like I said I can be my own worst enemy on some things and especially applying it consistently if its long term rehabilitation.
I've actually had some good feedback on the elbow issues that I intend to apply. So I will work on those first.
The previous post was actually more to address g-boaf's concerns (and trying to be honest about it).
So Thanks all for your feedback.
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- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 18, 2015 4:47 pm
Saddle back wasn't working how I hoped it would. Elbow pain as before if not worst and also back pain creeping in which means I was stretching for the bars too much. Saddle forward seemed to help the elbow out but hands after a 15km ride were not really bearable so it can't stay like that.
Out of those basic self fit checks one test stood out over the rest and that was the front hub to handlebar view test was out. So in my natural regular riding position, looking straight down at the front wheel hub it should be obscured but it wasn't, the hub was a fair way before the bar which suggests that my stem is too long for me and I'm going to try a shorter stem.
This kind of makes sense that I'm stretching to the hoods and not doing my elbow any favours. It may also allow me to set back the saddle a little further back taking some pressure off the hands. But look, I'm not going to know until I make the changes and try it out so stay tuned for another week or so!....
PS - They are a dime a dozen some of these bike fit videos but this was the one I liked the best....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7 ... r_embedded" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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- outnabike
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby outnabike » Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:18 pm
I know you have some musings among a few problems and some times a little means a lot.(adjustment that is).
For me with a bit of arthritis in the hands I went from the randonneur bars to a set of modified drop bars and was amazed at the difference in comfort. Mind you the randonneur bars at around 500mm wide, were just too wide, and the hands positioned over the tops,(outside edges) on the drop bars is perfect now.
But having ridden other bikes I now find other drops to be so very different, it would take some getting used too. I know nothing but just saying, sometimes we miss the little things. How do the bars feel to the bikes you have a liking for?
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:11 pm
I've got the really good thick Lizard skin bar tape (3.2) on the bmc bike of pain also and that is supposed to be one of the best for hand soreness issues.
So yeah I do place quite a bit of importance on good bars and bar tape.
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
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- rodneycc
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Re: Another Bike fit issue
Postby rodneycc » Fri Sep 25, 2015 12:58 pm
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