What can be done to remedy my weight being pushed too much over the handebars?

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Cyclopathic

Veteran
Location
Leicester.
I'm finding that whatever the height of the bars (admitedly not much room to play with)it always feels like my hands are bearing too much load which can get very uncomfortable after a while. The problem was really highlighted when I had a go on another bike which was a dream to ride and the bars seemed to be at about the same height in relation to the saddle, i.e about the same height.

Any ideas what the problem might be or what the solution might be?
 

dellzeqq

pre-talced and mighty
Location
SW2
swap bikes!

more seriously - why not line the bikes up side by side?
 

Rohloff_Brompton_Rider

Formerly just_fixed
I'm finding that whatever the height of the bars (admitedly not much room to play with)it always feels like my hands are bearing too much load which can get very uncomfortable after a while. The problem was really highlighted when I had a go on another bike which was a dream to ride and the bars seemed to be at about the same height in relation to the saddle, i.e about the same height.

Any ideas what the problem might be or what the solution might be?

you've answered your own question. what you should be asking is 'how can i lift my bars to the saddle height?' and then posting pictures of existing set up so we can (try to) give you some advice.

shaun
 

MacB

Lover of things that come in 3's
Check your saddle position first, if it's too far forward then it can encourage you to try and push up and back all the time. It all works together but I'd generally work saddle forwards not start with the bars. A good way to picture it, or at least it worked for me is:-

stand against a wall and try to bend forwards, you'll find your bum presses against the wall, it's like a counter balance, otherwise you'll fall forward. On a bike it's the same thing but you also have pedalling force to counter the weight.

Taken to extremes a time trial position would put your bum forward over the pedals and more weight on your upper body, but this position is for pure power, it isn't meant to be comfortable for lengthy or leisurely cycling.

A touring setup could see the saddle moving back, and down(has to move down to keep the same reach to pedals), with the bars being raised

Most of us will fall somewhere within this range and the type of cycling you do should dictate the primary position setup. I also find it useful to envisage your bike position as a triangle, formed of bum, hands and feet, that pivots around the bottom bracket.

Another good tip is to assume your normal riding position and then take your hands off the bars, if you fall forwards, or struggle to hold the position, then it may be too agressive for you.
 

Norm

Guest
Saddle height & shape & angle, angle to pedals, distance to bars, shape of bars, cleats angles, tape / grips used, tyres... it could be many things.

The good news is that you've found a bike that works for you. Precisely compare that to yours and most of the tweaks are cheap or even free.
 
OP
OP
Cyclopathic

Cyclopathic

Veteran
Location
Leicester.
Thanks for the tips. When I get the opportunity I'll compare the bikes and in the mean time I'll muck about with the various things suggested.
 

screenman

Squire
To short a distance from saddle to bars can cause this problem, seems odd as you would maybe think it had the opposite effect.
 
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