Help! Hand pain following hybrid to road bike upgrade

[Veeves]

Hello,

After cycling to work regularly in London for the past three years (with a Trek 7.2 WSD hybrid) I recently decided to upgrade to road bike. I wanted something faster, lighter and hoped to get more involved in cycling as a sport rather than just for commuting.

After testing a number of bikes I opted for a Specialized Dolce WSD (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-2008-womens-road-bike-ec001407) but am struggling to adapt to the bike. Most worryingly I'm finding I get quite bad pain in my hand (in the fleshy part at the base of my thumb) and although some better, more supportive gloves have helped it is still very uncomfortable. I'm riding with my hands on the upper part of the handle bars (but not the flat bar as this bike also has top brakes).

I expected there to be a slightly difficult transition period but is this something more serious? My neck has also been aching slightly and I'm upset that far from falling in love with my new bike I'm becoming weary of taking it out. I sought advice from my local bike shop but short of suggesting new gloves they weren't too helpful.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance!

 

[RedBike]

I'm guessing you're used to a more upright position so you're trying to sit upright on the Dolce by straightening your arms.

Straight arms will put more weight / vibration through your hands than necassary. You will also tense up your shoulders giving you neck ache.

 

[roadiewill]

I think the key to comfort on a road bike is to relax

 

[Sully]

If it makes you feel better Im new to cycling full stop and Im havin the same problem in exactly the same place....I put it down to me havin to get used to it...interesting to find out if it's just you nad me...?

 

[BIGSESAL]

Having a similar problem but I am getting a pain halfway up the forearm.

 

[punkypossum]

I used to get that on my mountain bike, fleshy part on thumb, just like you. Turned out my handlebars were to wide, so I ended up having my hands sort of diagonal on the bars if that makes any sense and had to overstretch to reach the brake levers, cutting off the bars helped... Not sure if that's your problem, but might be worth looking at....

 

[Randochap]

If it makes you feel better Im new to cycling full stop and Im havin the same problem in exactly the same place....I put it down to me havin to get used to it...interesting to find out if it's just you nad me...?

Why would one want to "get used to" pain.

The problem today is the same as it was in 1910. The industry is pushing "Tour de France" bikes on novices. They are completely inappropriate for the average recreational rider.

 

[Randochap]

I think the key to comfort on a road bike is to relax

While that is true to a certain extent, it's hard to relax when your, back/neck/shoulders/hands are screaming "heeeelp!"

Proper bike fit is the key. Compact frames, too small frames, low handlebar position are all inappropriate for the average recreational rider.

 

[Veeves]

Thanks for the tips and advice so far. I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

 

[Gary D]

When you bought the bike did you get properly measured and fitted for it?
If not, did the shop spend some time making adjustments to the saddle and stem before you left the shop?

It may well just be a case of acclimatising to the new position. However, it could also be down to the set up of the bike.
I had a proper bike fitting done (details of which I have posted in another thread) partly for piece of mind and partly because I too was suffering with shoulder and neck problems.

Suffice to say, the adjustments made as a result of the fitting were quite significant and it has cured the aches and pains I would not have thought it could have been as far out as it was

It is well worth getting measured and fitted by someone that knows what they are doing.

Gary.

 

[Veeves]

Hi Gary, thanks for your reply. The bike was bought from Evans (my previous bike was stolen and my insurer only pays out for new bikes from Evans) and whilst they advised me on size and frame I didn't have a proper fitting. I think I've found somewhere in North London that do professional bike fittings so hopefully I can take the bike in and get it fitted properly.

 

[BentMikey]

Compact frames

I'm not sure I understand how compact frames are not suitable for beginners, or on how they have more toe overlap as I think I recall you posting this earlier. Would care to explain your thoughts please?

 

[Randochap]

I'm not sure I understand how compact frames are not suitable for beginners, or on how they have more toe overlap as I think I recall you posting this earlier. Would care to explain your thoughts please?

My apologies for lazy writing. I was trying to fit too many thoughts into a sentence.

Compact frames (and I own two semi-compacts) have become a way for companies to cut corners in sizing, particularly w/ carbon frames -- molds are expensive.

While lugless construction has allowed more freedom in design -- especially for shorties, like me! -- it has also lead to laziness and some silly claims by manufacturers. It has also resulted in a lot of ill-fitted bikes. Which in turn has led to a lot of questions on bike forums about "why my back hurts."

Maybe this is due to shop assistants not knowing what used to be a fairly simple protocol for bike fitting.

But by far the most vexing problem is the simple fact that most people, especially those over 25, who buy "racing bikes" (compact or not) are fooling themselves (or have been fooled by the industry, friends or bike forum habitues) that they will ever be comfortable without at least modifying the relationship between saddle and handlebar height. As I've noted before, this is difficult to do on a stock bike that presents itself with a steerer already cut near the top of the HS.

 

[BentMikey]

So what you mean is that it's really just a bike sizing problem, and nothing specifically to do with compact frames?

 

[LisaExall]

This thread is really old I know but I too am having exactly the same problem with the pain in my hands on transition from Hybrid to Road Bike. What made it better in the end? Thanks