Newbie to Cycling

[johnjohn320]

Hey all,

Just bought my very own bike, first one I've had in years: an old (used) Trek SingleTrack 990. I live in Colorado and would love to do some gentle off-roading at some point, but 99% of what I'll use this bike for, at least for now, is just commuting around town and from home to work. I'd gotten fed up with the absolutely extravagant parking permit prices to use lots that are nearly always full and are still a decent walk from my workplace. Plus, as Family Guy reminds us, "it's a great way to stay in shape."

So, I've been riding it around all afternoon, getting used to it, exploring bike paths in my area, and enjoying it in general. I've also googled around to pick up a few tips on maintenance, seat height, etc.

My question for ATOT has to do with posture. By profession, I'm a concert pianist, so needless to say, my arms and hands are very important to me. Years ago, I dealt with tendonitis issues in my left wrist (from piano), and never want to go down that path again. After riding a lot today, I began to notice that I do feel like I'm leaning my bodyweight forward into my hands and wrists a lot on the handle bars. Afterwards, my red palms confirmed this. Obviously, it's nothing to worry about for now, but since I will likely be using this for my daily commute, are there are any tips (probably postural) for easing the strain on my hands, arms, and wrists?

PS-All that stuff about reduced sperm count and cycling...that only applies to hardcore, 150-mile-a-day training on rough terrain Ironman competitors, right?

 

[SillyOReilly]

This is the worst troll bicycling thread you can ever possibly read.

 

[deanx0r]

It's gonna depend of the type of bike you have and the height of the seat (no less than 30 degrees on your max leg stretch).

If you are really out of shape, your body will adapt to it eventually. You get most of your strain from vibrations. Try to ride on smooth surfaces. Steel or carbon forks do a great job absorbing vibrations, or you can get some gel padded gloves to minimize the strain.

edit: just saw it was a mountain bike with front suspension. I'd check the seat height, but it's just a matter of getting used to it.

 

[johnjohn320]

This is the worst troll bicycling thread you can ever possibly read.

...what?

 

[chusteczka]

Cycling gloves will help reduce the impact on your hands and wrists. Lower the seat to put more body weight on the seat, as deanx0r aptly mentioned. The more you ride, the stronger your legs will become, and the more you will stand on the pedals to use your legs as support for your bodyweight.

Also, move your hands on the handlebars often to change hand positions and maintain comfort and circulation in your hands and wrists. There are handlebar grips that can be added to your bars. These add another place to put your hands in a manner similar to a motorcycle having forward footpegs for the rider to stretch his legs out while riding.

 

[Ghiedo27]

There is a bit of controlled posture to it and your back will strengthen to support your torso a bit better, but you can always grab riding gloves to protect your ulnar nerve. If you continue to have issues you can replace the stem to get one with more of a rise so you wont have to lean as much. It's also possible that the bike doesn't fit you.

FWIW I've been riding without gloves for years and using a computer mouse for prolonged periods has a bigger impact on my wrist / hands than the temporary numbness I get from longer rides. That's not to say it's a good idea in the long run, but some numbness and red palms (by themselves) aren't a sign of something going horribly wrong.

Regarding the other issue, I recommend looking for a saddle that you feel comfortable on and then get some riding shorts. I wouldn't bother with bulky, padded saddles. You can get baggy shorts with the padding if you don't want to go all in. The point is to protect yourself (and provide greater comfort).

If you're experiencing serious discomfort you should definitely not ride until you get it sorted out. It should not be painful or uncomfortable to sit on your bike.

edit: I'd only lower the seat as a last resort. It's probably on the low side already. If anything, I'd go to a bike shop to get a quick fit or have a bike savvy friend / relative help out. Improper saddle height is a good way to get knee issues.

 

[Phynaz]

since I will likely be using this for my daily commute, are there are any tips (probably postural) for easing the strain on my hands, arms, and wrists?

Custom built bike. Expensive, but amazing.

You will never get proper geometry from an off the shelf bike.

 

[SillyOReilly]

Custom built bike. Expensive, but amazing.

You will never get proper geometry from an off the shelf bike.

lol

I'm not posting here any longer, I didn't realize how this ridiculous thread would get a serious response.

 

[Sinsear]

Make sure you get some spandex

 

[deanx0r]

lol

I'm not posting here any longer, I didn't realize how this ridiculous thread would get a serious response.

The guy asked for some advice. If you got nothing nice to say, then you are more than welcome to shut the fuck up and get the fuck out.

 

[natto fire]

lol

I'm not posting here any longer, I didn't realize how this ridiculous thread would get a serious response.

Can we hold you to that, or are you going to be a contradictory bitch and keep posting?

OP: I have noticed my arms/wrists get beat up more when I am on a bike with an uncomfortable saddle. Also, I am kind of tall (6'4") and always have the saddle up very high.

Make sure your seat post is high, I almost always see them lower than they should be. You should not be able to touch the ground when sitting on the seat.

Most comfortable frames for me have been hybrid, not counting the glory that was my Ellsworth Epiphany (still sad about selling that). A mountain bike frame will always put you in more of a "crouch" than a hybrid frame, but having the right size really helps with this.

 

[Madwand1]

Here's a similar thread on a violinist forum.

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=22792

I particularly like the post about the body being the only suspension. Make an effort to support your weight and posture with your leg and torso (by yourself and with equipment adjustments), and don't put a lot of pressure on your wrists, which aren't able to handle that.

 

[brainhulk]

In addition to the padded gloves, they make ergonomic grips that have more of a flatter surface that don't pinch your nerves as much.

The padded bicycle shorts are also worth every penny in comforting the family jewels

I hear you can try a shorter stem if you are leaning forward too much

 

[FleshLight]

All of these problems can be resolved by getting a bike that fits. Padded shorts are definitely a necessity and gloves are also nice but they will not solve your fit issues. Some of these fit issues can be cheaply resolved by adjusting the seatpost, saddle, or stem. But if your frame is simply too big, you might have to get another bike.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Gloves if nothing else will help keep you from tearing your hands up if you wreck. I don't know much about the trek 990 but it looks like they are old as hell. Nothing wrong with that as a starter bike but geometry has changed a bit over the years. I assume yours has flat handle bars and a long neck on it and you may want to change over to something with some riser bars and a shorter neck. Made my spare old Iron Horse more comfortable anyway.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

The bike probably doesn't fit you. Being a noob you should of went to a bike shop and had them fit you on a bike.

Im sure you can make adjustments to compensate but if the bike doesn't fit its like putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[Capt Caveman]

lol

I'm not posting here any longer, I didn't realize how this ridiculous thread would get a serious response.

How is this thread ridiculous? Both of your posts have been troll posts.

OP - a couple of things that can be done with your current bike is being in a more upright position which may be done by adjusting seat position and swapping out your handlebar stem to a shorter or higher degree one.

Probably the most recommended option is adding bar ends to your current handlebar or changing your handlebars to drop bars will give you more hand positions and that will help tremendously in reducing wrist strain.

I find being able to hold the handle bars vertically removes all wrist strain for me.

 

[_Rick_]

Also, do some core exercise. Strengthen your back and shoulders.
Focus on keeping a relaxed upper body as well. No death grip.
Been getting a tennis arm lately from some uneven tarmac, because I was clamping down on those handlebars too rightly.

 

[johnjohn320]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, I was fitted for this bike at a bike shop.

 

[johnjohn320]

So far, so good. I think since I'm mostly riding short trips on flat, paved surfaces (I'm using this to commute around town) I haven't really run into too many issues. Following the advice here, and on that violinist forum, has been helpful. I haven't bothered with padded shorts or gloves yet-still seems maybe a bit overkill for my needs. But I'll keep them in mind should they become necessary. Only glitch so far has been replacing the back tube (after patching it unsuccessfully a couple times). Thanks for the tips, folks!

 

[GoSharks]

Custom built bike. Expensive, but amazing.

You will never get proper geometry from an off the shelf bike.

LOL. I guess 99% of the pro peloton is riding the wrong geometry then.