Bike Fit Tip: This hand position might change your (riding) life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- This one wrist position change might entirely change how you ride your bike.
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It would be useful to mention that rotating the bars also rotates the drops. The best way to set this up is to set the angle you want on the drops and then loosen upper bar tape and position the brifters to get a good ergonomic position.
Im a completely newbie on bikes and thanks to your videos I get rid of the neck, lower back pain, and num wrists. Your videos are making the world a better place. I adjusted the saddle height and angle so now Im not suffering anymore.
Good tip. I tried it and my neck pain after every ride are now gone. Thank you.
+Mario Javier great to hear!
@@bikefitadviser7012 .l
I moved the hoods on my road bike up after the revelation of buying a CX bike which came with a high hood position and the difference to comfort really did change my riding life - I'd been messing around with stem length and angle for years but never quite found the right and relaxed position, all it took was that simple adjustment to find the perfect riding position for me.
Exactly! The Selling bike shop completely missed this easy fit adjustment and others. Eventually paid a bike fitter to sort me out, simple, so much more comfort and other changes added to smoother power output! I'm 65 and been riding since forever, lol. Nice Work!
This explains why my body hurts like hell, rode a road bike for the first time this past weekend 😂
I rotated my bars up slightly past level and slid the hoods down. It made a world of difference to my comfort level. Literally no numbness in my fingers or wrist pain on long rides
wolftick nation represent do u know kettermen?
@@marathonrunner715 No I don't, but I am a Wolftick og
I ride a cheap old track bike around town (sometimes do 25miles on it, but most days around 12miles) and just started riding this month basically...point is...I flipped the stem from an incline down to upward, as having a little bend in the elbows, seem as important as having the slight bend in the knee when pedaling.
Great demonstration, and confirms my feelings that i was initially overextending.
Omg thank you! I didn’t realize how out of whack my wrist position was, and it was causing all my neck and shoulder pain on long rides!
I made this adjustment to my handle bars, what a difference . I could not believe how much more comfortable. I was. Thank you, thank you , thank you. You are a star .
Great tip. I think what you said from about 2:00 to 2:05 is the key.
One of my friends suffered from neck pain. Thanks to this great video, her riding life changes.
I'm so glad I found your channel. I live in San Francisco and will be in Santa Fe all summer. I'm thinking of driving up to you and doing a session. Your channels is amazing. Thnx for the excellent content.
Ditto bro...I watch as much as I can...b,/c I want to ride as much as I can.
Thanks very much. I was frustated my hand numb problem unsolved before. After so many experimental, I try to tilt the hood down but the numbness still occured, then I found the problem is the hood is not horizontally to the handle bar, then I correct the position of the hood by unscrew it and make it paralel to the handle bar. After I correct the position of hood, then I tilt it down just little, and the result is amazing. The numbness gone forever
Great stuff!! I just sold my old aluminum road bike and got a new carbon bike, but I was experiencing neck and shoulder pains after riding (which I'd never experienced). I adjusted the bars to get the neutral wrist position, and "Voila!" all fixed.
I totally agree. Thanks for the explanation, getting the handhold position just right helps with comfort over long rides.
My bars are set so that I’m comfortable on the drops. I’ve positioned my brakes a little higher than you show on your video, mainly for the feeling of safety I get from the more upright position of the hoods, i.e. there is less chance of my hands slipping over the top of the hoods if I hit a pothole.
One of my mates has his brakes set right forward and low on his bars, like you show at the start of your video; it feels uncomfortable and unsafe. Now that you’ve explained the science I do not wonder that he has so much trouble with his wrists and shoulders.
As others mentioned a slight inward angle on the hoods is helpful. Straight hoods promote locked elbows. A degree or two can make a huge difference. Don't over do it
Fantastic! I’m new to road bikes only about 800K’s and I’ve noticed wrist pain and clenched shoulders. Truly appreciate this video 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾✊🏾👊🏾
So true this information!! Being fit to your bike is world of difference, long rides become so comfy if you do all the correct adjustments...
I experienced this problem early on and quickly realised it came down to the shape of my handlebar. I had an 'anatomical' shaped bar. I found if I had the hoods flat on the bar as they should be then it was impossible to reach the brake levers from the drops and I also had an angle in the wrist when on the drops, similar to the angle you describe on the hoods. If I set the hoods up so that I could reach the brakes from the drops without a kink in the wrist then I had a kink in the wrist when on the hoods as you describe. The problem was the bar and I had to get a compact bar, not for the reduced reach and drop but for the smaller radius curve of the drop which allowed the lever to be closer to the hand while still having a flat hood.
earthstick this is exactly what I suspected was my problem. And just ordered a set last night. Glad to see you confirm what I was experiencing, as my wife gets a little upset with my spending on my kit. 😜
Interesting advice, however (for people with a similar problem) don't forget that most levers have an adjustment for reach. Try that first before ordering new bars!
@@simonr7097 I used shims for the reach adjustment of the levers and it helped but the anatomic bars they used to make were the main problem, they were never going to be comfortable. Compact drops with a different shaped curve solved it.
Great educational tip. So many riders, complain about those discomforts because they have no clue how to properly position themselves on a their bike.
This guy has so many excellent tips & this is another great one.
Seeing this at the right time. Rode in the extended position on a new bike and caused sharp pain to my shoulder . Have to adjust riding position
This was incredibly helpful. My chiropractor mentioned my cycling posture might be causing my hand numbness. Thank you so much!
Hey; thank you for this information I'm 60 yo love cycling I ride Surly long haul trucker and you have made my day so thank u again for the "info" looking forward for more videos
Finally someone explaining these issues and fixes in a way that makes sense
Thank you for the very helpful advice. Will keep triceps from burning on long rides, problem in my past. Peace be with you
Holy shit, i tried this and it completely changed the feel of my bike. I hated riding on my hoods, and now it's easily my favorite position.
Great insight, I'm coming off a shoulder injury and paying attention to neutral hand positioning will help with that for sure.
Thank you for the information. I just switched from a CC bike to a New Road bike & have always had pain in shoulder & neck. This should definitely help me to ride with no pain & enjoy long rides.
Just modified my bars a bit to reflect your suggestion regarding the hood and hand placement. Feels even better. Thanks!
Thanks. Just starting my journey on a real bike. Looking forward to all you have here. Cheers from AZ, USA
I always do that body check throughout a ride because I find myself locking my elbows and causing unnecessary tightening of the traps gradually during the ride. I literally drop my shoulders and elbows and sigh. What a relief that gives.
True. I had a sore left wrist because my hood was too far down the handlebar. Raised it up and now much better.
I find my bars the most comfy when it's parallel to the ground and the seat. Although my stem has totally different angle. Great video ;) Respec
I just went for a ride on an upright after a month or two riding a recumbent. One of the things I immediately noticed how much less comfortable my hands are with the upright. This definitely looks like something for me to check in terms of improving upright comfort.
Good tip....I think my handle bars are set right but I need to relax my arms and let my trapezius muscles were getting sore. Now I will try to relax and try not to be so rigid during my rides. Thanks.
Excellent information! I periodically get out of the saddle to Marshal different muscles and relax my back, or sit up and ride without hands- being careful. Putting hands on the tops of the handlebars during climbing is also relaxing and allows the body's natural sway. Getting out of the saddle in the drops and elongating the back is another nice way to relax.
This seems like the solution to the wrist/hand discomfort I get after about 20 miles or so...gonna give it a try. Thanks!
thanks this simple change may be the answer to my hand trouble during a longer ride.
The handlebar is fine, moving the hoods parallel to the ground or slightly upward is the key.
Thank you! I am new to drop bars and couldn't figure out why the grip on the hoods didn't feel right. I ride mostly in the city and want quick access to the brakes. You have my respect and gratitude.
So that's what is wrong with my bike, i almost sold my bike i thought it was not a good fit for me, i tried your advice and it is way better position of my hands and shoulders, thanks alot!
Thanks for relating this, it really does make a world of difference. I rolled my bars a few degrees to help with a wrist injury after I had seen Thor Hushovd years ago at the Tour with his high brake hoods and kept them there since...
This might explain why I am in so much pain in my neck/right shoulder... will check and adjust before I head out later. Thanks! 👍🏻
thanks so much for this. i suffer from pain in my levator scapulae after 45 mins or so on each ride. going to try this tip and hopefully it will help!
I like the video very much. I was taught years ago to ride without the elbow locked. It can be very jarring over a very long and rough roads if the elbows are locked; the arms get tired quicker than the legs.
Awesome tips! Just went for my road first bike ride and I had to change positions a lot because of the neck pain, now I know why. I'm glad I found your video now, and not years down the road. You've earned a sub! Keep up the great work!
Some golden info right here for me, just starting out with gears after years riding fixed. Thanks!
Thank you!!! I'm new to that style of handlebar and you have helped me immensely on understanding how to set it up properly for my body.
I've been in this position for years (the 2nd position). It's provides a nice platform for the hands. I never understood why the "LeMond" position from the 80's was so popular. Perhaps more comfortable when climbing out of the saddle? Contador climbs out of the saddle for 20 minutes. I'll check some videos for his position.
Good tips, indeed, I turtle the heck out of myself all the time. I really need to remind to relax my shoulders, keep an angle in the elbows and grip in the right way. If you do that enough you can make a change to your posture. Just got to keep it in mind. You learn to recognize when you ate locking yourself over time.
Thank you for the great video. I never realized that hand position had this effect on the shoulders. I'll check my hand position next time to see what can be improved. And goingnto watch your other videos as well.
With that much spacer stack under the stem it would appear that the bike frame is too small for you. A larger frame with a longer top tube will also assist with minimizing the angular deviation.
I thought my self to fix bicycle, I fix them, paint them and replace everything when needed to be replaced. Wheel running and inspection 2-3times for safety that everything is great. and every single time i buy a different bike i have to do at least 8-10 times small details to position it at my desired. Yet still waiting this cause there might always be a new thing to learn from other. I didn't learn anything from this video. But you did a fantastic explanation, not even at REi do so.
I wonder such an important issue is not more widely spread. Thank you for posting this great viedeo
I angle the levers slightly inward. Find this eliminates hands going numb.
Hood position looks good but I see a problem with the bar in that position for sprinting out of the saddle in the drops. If the drops are parallel to the ground it keeps the wrist straight while out of the saddle in the drops. The hoods just need to be moved up on the bars a bit.
O melhor canal de bike fit que eu já vi!
Thankyou for that. Will try as more often than not find I have neck mid shoulder discomfort on longer rides. As an amateur need all assistance we can muster :-). Will check my posture and see if this is cause for me anyways .
This is something that I've been trying to solve forever now so I'm gonna try adjusting today and see if that does the trick
Great video and explanation of wrist position. I'll be checking my position as I find myself riding with 'shoulders up', and would feel the tension during and after long rides in my upper back.
You're right! I adjusted my bars & definitely felt the difference, especially in the shoulders. Great tip! Thanks!!
Looking forward to today's ride.
I’m going to try this. Only my left hand tingles and goes somewhat numb during riding, but I need to check my positioning now! Thanks
Also sometimes my shoulders will ache.
Great tip! I will adjust and try again. Your point is spot on!
great tip. I'm struggling with a sore neck and shoulders and think this may be the cause. Thanks
Im having upper shoulder discomfort every time i commute to work/home. I had bike fit done already but problem did not go away completely. I will try your tip. Thanks for sharing. liked and subd.
The first position with the hoods below the horizontal, also makes braking harder because you have less leverage when squeezing the brakes.
Rico Fiori Absolutely correct, and the wrist being ulnarly deviated decreases the power we can exert with the hands
Problem is once you rotate the hoods up or raise them on the bars, you can't reach the brakes when holding the drops. I believe the brake levers are designed for racers who have their stem slammed and are reaching more straight down with their arms and wrists. Just like almost every good road bike, they are designed for racers.
Good tip, I know in my past there was a point when I did this, riding is so much more enjoyable and fun since getting a comfortable position!
I've started road biking again after years . Thankyou for the insight ! My shoulders are awful after a while . I've been playing with hand position on the bar. With what you're saying does seem to help . I work as a barber so i have problems anyway with shoulders . Sometimes i'm so tense it causes alot of pIn making my ride very uncomfortable , almost unbearable ! I started doing the same thing you were suggesting and it does seem to help . TY 😌
That's how I set all my bikes also same measurements from muddle of handlebars to seat...and seat to pedals....I can do a half century without discomfort....Domane wirh a nice seat is all you need.
I see so many cruiser bikes with their big upright bars rotated so that the riders hands are in that horrible position. I don’t know why so many are assembled that way, but it’s very common. Don’t get me started on cruisers with horribly low saddles, either...simple things like these can be the difference between a person moving from a cruiser to a real road bike and a person who decides cycling is too uncomfortable and puts the bike away forever.
I’ve moved the bars up too far on my best bike. Made it difficult to use brakes and shifters when on the drops. Rode my winter bike Monday and Tuesday (different lower angle on bars) much more control and comfort when on the drops.
I always ride with slight bend in arms and wrists....... can’t believe that some would do otherwise. However,I’m sure they’ll ride better than me in other aspects
Great video, I have my hoods in the position you described already but never seen a video about it good job
+Bike Fit Adviser Oh Lord, you just save me life, since I am a very beginner who keep feel suffering on me elbow join post a long ride
I started doing the change and woke up with no pain this morning....I usually ride hard for 40 min in the streets. Arms wrist and elbows started hurting until I made wrist and body ajdustment.
Thanks! That might be the cause to my uncomfortness on the bike. Will check it out.
Interesting video. I've set my drops so that the bottom of the drops is horizontal with the group, and the bottom end of the levers at the same level as the bottom of the drops.
I ride your set up and an added benefit is i like to get more aero by bringing the heel of the hand forward on the hood. Its a very versatile position. Thanks,
Hey, Here’s 1!
I’m 69 now, a life long athlete & have rode years for R&R. BUT I gotta admit I’m lazy.
So... just let’s say I am still doin it strong. Cause what I do is so easy.
I Keep a conscious connecting tension between the bottom of my lowest fly ribs in my back and the upper edge of my pelvis 24/7. If you do this and fully exhale, it almost feels like getting taller. Just takes a little focus & after awhile it even became second nature for me
I’ve never tried it before I began riding again. I do now!
Great videos. Hand numbness has been an issue, so I've been watching quite a few of your videos.
amazing, thanks a bunch for the tip. could not work out why my shoulders were always tense. cheers Peter
Thank u for ur video..it helps a lot..no more wrist and shoulder pain.👍
Nice my handlebars are already in this position good to know ‘before’ I start getting wrist issues
I'm going to make these changes and hope for the best. Golfer's elbow on my right, discomfort starting across on my left metacarpals. Getting old ain't for sissy's. It's always something. I'm entertaining a slightly shorter stem (road). I changed slightly longer when I bought the bike. Sorta relatively short leg length relative to my height. Maybe I should've left it as is.
6-0 on 56cm. Great tips! Thanks
I did reposition my hoods hight and felt a lot better! Tks.
Moshe Great to hear! Thanks for watching...
That position is more comfortable but makes it more difficult to brake in the drops.
I definitely need to do this adjustment.
Thanks for the VERY BIG TIP!
Such excellent explanation. This makes so much sense and really works! Great videos!
My wrists hurt when I articulate them after a ride on one of my bikes. Thank you. This helps a lot.
Sorry, don't quite understand. Was the adjustment to move the brake levers back on the bars? How is that a quick adjustment, doesn't it require redoing the tape? Could a similar benefit come from changing the angle of the bars themselves, tilting them a bit up? Will also, say thank you for your very helpful and very detailed advice! Wow, there is a lot to this!!
I just want to know if you adjusted the the brakes lever hoods (making level with the curvature of the handlebar) or rotated the handlebar ?
Thanks 🙏,
Miguel
That stack height ! But good advice about the wrist angle 🙂
now rotate your brake hoods inward 5 degrees to eliminate the external rotation of your lower arm. Thoughts?
If your a group racer and you ride in the drops good luck grabbing the brakes or riding with one finger on them when your brakes are set that high. You might not have a sore neck but you will be laying on the ground with many other sore parts..
Great piece of advice. I'm wondering how to make this adjustment considering each of the positions, tops, drops, and upright. I seem to be too far away from my handlebars and even though my wrist angle is now correct, I feel like I'm too engaged in the shoulders and neck and my drops are almost too far forward to use.
Thanks again for all you do.
Yea, bars usually come
Stock with that angle. Little changes go a long way