Set up advice please!!!

[brontesorearse]

Hi All ,
Bit of set up or parts for set up advice needed ?

On rides my elbows ache and my left hand goes numb and left shoulder goes stiff , i've got gel tape on my bars and wear gloves , my arms are quite straight when on the hoods and i also feel that my bars are not wide enough ?

Should i buy a shorter stem ?

Can you buy wider bars ?

And how straight should your legs go on downward stroke when pedaling ?

I ride a standard giant scr4, size large, i'm 6'!
Thanks for any advice/tips in advance.

 

[longers]

Could you flip the stem? ie turn it upside down to bring the bars slightly higher.

Worth trying before you shell out for a new one.

When you put your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the downstroke, your leg should be slightly bent at the knee. If your hips are rocking when you pedal then your seat is too high.

I'm sure others will have more/better advice .

 

[wlc1]

Go to a bike shop and get it fitted.

Did you buy it online ?

 

[Fab Foodie]

This should sort you out.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[brontesorearse]

thanks for the info ,no i bought the bike from the lbs but i want to have an idea what im talking about or as much info as i can before i go and spend money on parts i dont need

 

[Mortiroloboy]

The SCR4 comes with a 110mm stem and 42mm 'bars, at 6' the large frame should be ideally suited, unless you are disproportionate in build. Have a look at WWW.BIKEFITTING.COM they charge £35 for a basic set up fitting at participating shops, you can then tweak from there, but only make adjustments in miniscule increments, for your numbness, try moving the seat forward a few mm to take weight off your hands, BTW your arms should have a slight relaxed bend in them when you ride, this will help absorb some of the road buzz that transfers up into your shoulders.

 

[jimboalee]

I was shown how to measure a person for building a frame.
I was given all the formulae.
I was told how to determine crank length.
I was shown how to adjust the seat position, choose the stem reach and handlebar width to get the correct riding position.
I was shown how to check the position is correct.

I was given all this information from a frame builder in Birmingham.

I use the methods I have been told, but there are so many websites that have different methods, no wonder the beginner gets confused.

All I can say is, :- Setting up my bikes to my methods, I do not suffer from saddle soreness, foot pain, lumbar pain or arm or wrist pain.
I can reach down for my water bottle or get a banana out of a back pocket without effecting the steering.
I can steer the bike with one fingertip.

A 50km stint between controls on a Randonnee is non stop, and I hop off the bike at the control, not stagger into the cafe.

I remember my friend saying "1 or 2 lbs in bike weight won't make much difference in this country. If you are ergonomically correct, you will ride easier than an ill fitting, lighter bike". He was correct.


Thirty five quid getting professionally set up will not only save you hundreds if you buy the wrong frame, but it will save you a lot of pain on a badly fitted bike.

 

[ASC1951]

Thirty five quid getting professionally set up will not only save you hundreds if you buy the wrong frame, but it will save you a lot of pain on a badly fitted bike.

Definitely worth it, because if you get yourself a printout you can use it as the starting point for setting up any replacement/extra bikes.

My LBS got my reach and balance so spot on that with carbon forks I can ride happily without gloves at all, never mind three inches of gel and padding.

 

[fossyant]

Proper fitting is the way. This wasn't about when I started cycling, so Bernard Hinault's book - "Road Racing Training & Techniques" is where the detailed set up came in.

Getting properly 'dialled' in takes some precision..... it's not a case of jump on a bike and ride..... especially if you want it pain free and efficient.

 

[cadseen]

Try and talk to an experienced cyclist who can see your position on the bike. Without seeing you its hard to tell.

post some photos of your position