Very uncomfortable on my Bianchi road bike

[Kajjal]

When riding a road bike the position is alot more fixed than a flat handle bar bike. Due to this the setup needs to be more accurate. If the bars seem to low and too far away flip the stem into the upright position with the spacers underneath the stem. The bikeshop can do this in five minutes.

If this does not work it suggests the bike is the wrong size.

 

[Ajax Bay]

found that moving the saddle forward so I was sitting a bit more upright helped as well

On another thread earlier this year it was persuasively pointed out that moving the saddle forward, counter-intuitively, increased the weight taken by the arms/hands (because the torso's centre of gravity moves forward by the same distance).

 

[wonderloaf]

On another thread earlier this year it was persuasively pointed out that moving the saddle forward, counter-intuitively, increased the weight taken by the arms/hands (because the torso's centre of gravity moves forward by the same distance).

Works for me!

 

[Fab Foodie]

On another thread earlier this year it was persuasively pointed out that moving the saddle forward, counter-intuitively, increased the weight taken by the arms/hands (because the torso's centre of gravity moves forward by the same distance).

It can work IF you shorten the reach by a shorter stem or raise the bars.

 

[Fab Foodie]

When riding a road bike the position is alot more fixed than a flat handle bar bike.

Sorry, can't agree with that.
On the contrary, dropped bars give you more riding positions than a straight bar bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'm after advice really, not long got back into cycling and last year purchased a Bianchi road bike using the cycle to work scheme. I normally ride a Scott P3 hybrid and don't suffer any problems as such. However I've been out on the Bianchi twice now and I'm finding that it's the most uncomfortable bike to ride. My arms hurt along with shoulders and lower back. Now I'm not the fittest person but I keep plodding away trying to build my mileage up, I'm also 19 st.
Is this normal transitioning from an upright position to a bent over style?
In all honesty soon as I have paid off the bike in August I'm selling both to fund a ridgeback touring bike, this again is a bent over style of riding. Is it normal to hurt after riding a drop bar bike for the fist time?

Can you compare the position of the 3 contact points bars, saddle and cranks (bottom bracket position) between your Scott and Bianchi? Does it yield any clues?

It does sound like you are having to over-reach or challenge your flexibility and core strength to ride the Bianchi compared to the Scott.

 

[sidevalve]

Sorry and no offence but at 19st you might be a teeny bit circular for much riding 'on the drops' just at the mo -
Try the following ONE at a time
Move seat back - forward - and alter the tilt a little to more nose up [don't overdo it !]
Raise bars [or try lowering them] and finally try a shorter stem
Do these things one at a time and remember that all info is useful - if moving saddle back = more aches then you know that moving it forward might be an improvement

 

[wonderloaf]

It can work IF you shorten the reach by a shorter stem or raise the bars.

Exactly what I did. Also moving the saddle fore and aft doesn't cost anything (money-wise anyway!) and I managed to find a comfortable position through experimentation.

 

[Tank63]

Thanks for the advice and support the knowledge on this group is second to none and for someone like myself newish to cycling a God send.

 

[si_c]

I'm also a somewhat heavier rider (although I've lost a bit since i started riding, I started at over 19st), and found similar to you that I was getting pains in my arms, wrists and lower back. Most of them went away as I got used to the position, so I'd suggest spending a little longer on the bike, the position you are in is very different to the hybrid, and when riding normally you need to let your core take more of the weight, which you will not be so used to.

Try moving the saddle slightly back and the handlebars/stem up a little, I found raising the stem an inch or so made a huge difference to my comfort level initially, and over time I've dropped it back down again.

Also I'd take the bike to the shop as has already been mentioned and ask them to check the fit over for you, explain your problems and they should have some suggestions just from seeing you on the bike.

Hope you get comfortable soon either way

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the advice and support the knowledge on this group is second to none and for someone like myself newish to cycling a God send.

This has some good explanations of getting comfortable, ignore the first bit about crank length:

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

 

[youngoldbloke]

Are you riding in the drops or on the tops/hoods? I think you'll find most people with dropped bars spend most of their time on the tops/hoods, braking from the tops too. If yo are on the large side your middle regions are inevitably going to make an aero position uncomfortable.

 

[screenman]

If you ride on the hoods just loosen the bars and rotate them to bring the hoods up and back a bit. A lot of bikes are sent out with the hoods to far down for comfort, you will find this may well give you less stress on the arms and shoulders.

 

[MichaelW2]

There is no rule book to say that a bike with drop bars has to be setup long and low, or flar bars have to be short and high. You can setup any bike anyway.
Drop bars come in several styles, varying in width, drop diameter and shape. The shallow style is now back in fashion.
Rather than change your position to the bike, adapt the bike to your favoured position. The normal cruising hold for drop bars is on the brake hoods. You should always be able to ride with slightly flexed elbows, relaxed shoulders and a neutral wrist position without a sharp bend.

 

[Kajjal]

Sorry, can't agree with that.
On the contrary, dropped bars give you more riding positions than a straight bar bike.

True enough but you spend alot more time in the saddle and there is little real bike handling needed. Compared to mountain biking which is the opposite due to continually shifting weight, moving round the bike and standing up alot more to clear rough ground and trail hazards. Thats why you can get away with a less well setup bike for mountain biking as you are not mainly fixed in the saddle.