Taking the weight off my hands

[CharlesF]

A month ago, I took delivery of my first drop bar bike in 40 years, a Genesis CdF bought through C2W. It is a great ride except for my hands taking a lot of my weight when I'm on the hoods - which is most of the time so that I can reach the brakes.

What do I need to adjust to move weight off my hands and back onto the saddle?

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Start with the saddle.....is it level or nose down? If it is nose down angle it to level. If it is already level try tilting it nose up a few degrees. Next try loosening the handlebar stem and rotate the handlebars up slightly. If these two easy tweaks don't work you may need to swap the handlebar stem for a shorter one or one that angles upwards (check the stem you have can't be flipped over as many can) You may be able to raise the handlebars a few cm by swapping or adding extra spacers from above the handlebar stem to below it. This is all assuming you have an AHead steerer...

 

[Dusty Bin]

What do I need to adjust to move weight off my hands and back onto the saddle?

Leave the bike as it is and get used to it - believe me, you don't want all the weight going through your ar5e.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Another thing worth considering is fitting auxiliary brake levers on the top bar. A good pair will cost about £20 and they're quite easy to fit.

 

[CharlesF]

Thanks to the Poves - I will try those changes at the weekend; and keep the auxillary brakes as a fall back.
Dusty - I can assure you it can take a bit of extra weight, what with the padding and width, and my hands aren't take comfortable.

 

[jay clock]

Agreed that just leaving it and "manning up" is not the way to go..... although minor discomfort may be something you do actually overcome fairly fast

Personally having the saddle a tiny bit up at front end helps to stop me sliding forwards.

Also, I find (again personally) that having a shorter reach or more upright position actually can result in more hand pressure, not less. Being stretched out forwards helps, and twsiting the bars upwards also seems better. But try various positions. Everyone is different and being comfortable over a long distance generally proves that you have it set up right.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Moving the saddle rearwards usually does the trick. It's all explained here:

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

 

[Dusty Bin]

Dusty - I can assure you it can take a bit of extra weight, what with the padding and width, and my hands aren't take comfortable.

Whether it can take it or not, is not really the issue. A bike like the CdF (with a certain geometry and drop bars) is intended to have at least some of the rider weight going through the bars. Otherwise, you might be better off on a more upright bike, like a hybrid...

 

[cosmicbike]

Moving the saddle rearwards usually does the trick. It's all explained here:

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

+1 for that^
Found myself in the same boat, and with the saddle level, hoods horizontal I still found too much hand weight going on. Gradually moving the saddle back helped by moving my balance point more rearwards, but still not quite right. Just (yesterday) fitted a 90mm stem in place of the original 105mm, a 10 minute stint on the turbo trainer suggests it's a bit better, but until I get out on the road with some good miles it's hard to tell

 

[Adam Parker]

Is there anyway you could adjust the height of your bars? Or perhaps roll the bars back towards the body slightly? The hoods will be closer, and a little higher. As above... I'd check the angle of the seat, and bring the nose of the seat up a notch at a time... Adam

 

[CharlesF]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't tried changing anything yet, so at the weekend I will look at moving the bars up. I do know I can tilt them up slightly but not sure if I actually raise them; I will also try tilting the saddle - note to self mark everything before changing anything!

Fab Foodie - the article is full of information, an evening read for me.

Dusty - I understand that some weight must go onto the hands, as it does with a flat bar. My problem is that too much weight is going forward when I'm on the hoods. Years ago I rode drop bar bikes and didn't have the problem and they weren't comfortable as today's bikes, so I reckon there are some adjustments due.

 

[screenman]

Picture would be nice, otherwise it is pure guesswork.

 

[lpretro1]

Best to only change one thing at a time otherwise you do not know what worse!!! If you have ridden flat bars for such a long time then it will defo take some time to adapt. Plus, no offence intended, but you are now quite a bit older so the flexibility of your youth may have waned a bit too! It is vital to get saddle position right before anything else - or you will kill your knees. Once saddle is right then you can adjust everything else. It may be at the end of the day that the bike you have is just not the right size for you.

 

[CharlesF]

Best to only change one thing at a time otherwise you do not know what worse!!! If you have ridden flat bars for such a long time then it will defo take some time to adapt. Plus, no offence intended, but you are now quite a bit older so the flexibility of your youth may have waned a bit too! It is vital to get saddle position right before anything else - or you will kill your knees. Once saddle is right then you can adjust everything else. It may be at the end of the day that the bike you have is just not the right size for you.

Yup, I will be changing one thing at a time, after marking the original position. I will start at the weekend, but it will take some time as each change will have to be gotten used to before I can really see if it has made a difference. Once I have tried all the suggestions, I hopefully will have one that gives a more comfortable ride. I quite agree about the flexibility.

 

[themosquitoking]

+1 for changing one thing at and testing at every stage.