How do you ride a "racing" bicycle?

[winjim]

Braking and hand positions on drop bar bikes: read this...
http://lovelybike.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/drop-bar-hand-positions-introduction.html

That's exactly the link I was about to try and find!

 

[Spinney]

That's exactly the link I was about to try and find!

Good tool, that google thingy!

 

[mybike]

.... how fit are you, can you easily touch your toes. ..... .

Toes?

 

[screenman]

Toes?

Use a mirror you should see them on the end of your feet, must admit mine went missing for a couple of years, they are back to stay now though.

 

[Cyclist33]

I simply cannot visualise how you're holding the handlebar, it sounds like you're creating work for yourself though. If your original question should have been "how do you ride using the drops on a drop-bar bike?" then I guess that might make more sense to me. To which the answer (for me) is, don't for the majority of the time.

If your hands are in the drops (as opposed to on top on the drop bar) and you can only brake with 3rd and 4th finger, that suggests your brake levers are fitted lower round the drops than I would have them. They are easy to move!

To be fair I just think you need to ask these questions of a local bike shop but lose the attitude and just admit you don't know what you're doing with road bikes, and let them show you how to sit on one and where to put your hands. (I'm surprised at having to type this.)

Or if you want advice on here, take some photos of your bike from the side, and some showing where you're putting your hands (and backside) - otherwise we are as early cave-dwellers groping around in the dark and can't help you.

 

[vickster]

The OP linked to a flatbar bike so why all the talk of the drops?

If getting neck ache, back ache, wrist ache etc on a flar bar bike, I would suggest it's not only about your weight and flexibility, but that it's badly set up for you or simply the wrong size. You said somewhere you got a large Boardman? How tall are you, as the geometry seems to come up big, with long stems. They are still pretty upright compared to a 'race' bike whatever the blurb says on the Halfords site

I find ergo grips (e.g. Specialized ones) are far more comfortable on a flat bar than the horrid skinny round ones they come with, as you have somewhere to rest palms

 

[Mummy3monkeys]

I have small hands, but I can use the brakes on my drop bars with thumb on bars and all four fingers on the brake, very strange

 

[byegad]

Take it back and ask for your money back as you are not clever enough to set it up to suit your body.

 

[youngoldbloke]

The OP linked to a flatbar bike so why all the talk of the drops?

I was simply commenting on his opinion of dropped bars and brake levers

 

[boydj]

I think @vickster has it right. A 'Large' frame for somebody with a 30" inside leg can't be right. I take a 29" or 30" inside leg in my trousers and on most bikes the 'Small' is the one that's right for me.

If the frame is too big, then the OP will be too stretched, hence back and wrist problems. A picture would be useful as would an indication of the OP's height.

 

[gbb]

Im not sure OPs questions are so unfathomable...plenty of people who've known me have asked...how in the hell do you ride that?
Even a good friend who asked if he could try it, wobbled up the road, faffed with the gears, didnt quite know where to put his hands etc etc...and he rides motorbikes, ordinary bikes etc.
To a novice(no offence OP)..there is a lot to get used to, but time in the saddle, experience on the road, confidence that grows as experience does...you take it all in your stride...we all did.

 

[Brand X]

I simply cannot visualise how you're holding the handlebar, it sounds like you're creating work for yourself though. If your original question should have been "how do you ride using the drops on a drop-bar bike?" then I guess that might make more sense to me. To which the answer (for me) is, don't for the majority of the time.

If your hands are in the drops (as opposed to on top on the drop bar) and you can only brake with 3rd and 4th finger, that suggests your brake levers are fitted lower round the drops than I would have them. They are easy to move!

To be fair I just think you need to ask these questions of a local bike shop but lose the attitude and just admit you don't know what you're doing with road bikes, and let them show you how to sit on one and where to put your hands. (I'm surprised at having to type this.)

Or if you want advice on here, take some photos of your bike from the side, and some showing where you're putting your hands (and backside) - otherwise we are as early cave-dwellers groping around in the dark and can't help you.

Meh. It's not really a big deal, I have to master riding a flat-bar bicycle before I can even think about riding a drop handlebar bike. It's something I will investigate in the future. I've got Spinney's hand-position guide bookmarked for reference. (ty Spinney)

 

[JoeyB]

You're overthinking it all I think. Just get out and ride... It'll all soon make sense ;-)

 

[Brand X]

The OP linked to a flatbar bike so why all the talk of the drops?

If getting neck ache, back ache, wrist ache etc on a flar bar bike, I would suggest it's not only about your weight and flexibility, but that it's badly set up for you or simply the wrong size. You said somewhere you got a large Boardman? How tall are you, as the geometry seems to come up big, with long stems. They are still pretty upright compared to a 'race' bike whatever the blurb says on the Halfords site

I find ergo grips (e.g. Specialized ones) are far more comfortable on a flat bar than the horrid skinny round ones they come with, as you have somewhere to rest palms

Hi Vickster. My approximate height is 5' 8" and my inseam length for the purpose of buying trousers is 30". I went to three bike shops and they all pointed me to a size large. I had my eye on a Giant escape 2 (£100 off) which was in size medium, but the guy took one look, shook his head and said no, I'm a size large.

 

[broady]

I'm 5'11" with 30" leg. Giant, specialised and halfords put me at a medium frame. Had a look at a couple of the ML giant bikes, but the guy said that the medium was a lot better fit.
I'd check the seat hight and position is right first and then do a few miles on the bike.
Remember that halfords do accept returns on bikes if you are still not happy