I love my new tri bike!... Ouch!

gonnzo

So I finally pestered my extended family enough to pitch in and get my first tri bike: used Felt B16 with bars upgraded to the Felt Bayonnet Bar.  Had some help from Todd at TTBikeFit to get the right size and an initial setup.  I'm surprised at how stable I feel in the aero position - kind of like riding with no hands; steer by balance - but I can only hold the position for a couple of minutes.  My elbows feel uncomfortably close together in the bars and it causes soreness in my upper back right between the shoulder blades.  Is this what folks have been talking about with back problems in the aero position?  I always thought it was lower back they were talking about.

My real question: Is this more likely a basic fit problem or is it just part of the learning curve and I'll get used to it soon enough?  (aka "Suck it up" or "get new gear"?)

Thanks,

Brian

Tom Glynn

It definitely takes some getting used to. It is a real balance thing. I kept thinking I was going to go over the front wheel for the longest time. My thoughts; use the trainer for the first few times, just getting used to being in aero. Spend a couple of minutes, then sit up for a few and cycle through for a while. Once you feel a little more comfortable, take it on the road, but don't ride in aero the first time. Just ride around getting used to the bike. Next time out, do the same thing you did on the trainer; a few minutes on, a few off.

You'll get used to it - it's just like riding a bike

Spokane_Al

Perhaps the change to an aggressive tri bike position was a bit too abrupt for your body. The aerobars may be set up too narrow for you at this time. Perhaps you may need to widen them a bit and then slowly bring them back in as your body adapts.

If you can only hold the aero position for a couple of minutes at a time, it sounds to me that the problem could be more than just one that you should just try to suck up and through.

I suggest that you go back to TTBikeFit and tell them of your issues.

Al Truscott

I've read John Cobb wind tunnel conclusion that elbows don't need to be any closer togerther than the knees - just get the arms a shade inside the legs, and they'll be out of the wind enough to get the full aero advantage.

I've been doing a two week stretch of mutliple long rides (5 x 5 hours +/-, plus 3 x 3-4 hours) to cram myself into tri bike shape for IM CDA (don't try this at home; I had a late start this year and just finished the OS 6 weeks before the IM), and have found the same thing after 3-4 hours - a feeling like my elbows are too close and my upper central back is cramped. The feeloing stops as soon as I get off the bike, though, so I never rememeber to adjust the pads out. I suspect I will when I replace the armrests with new ones next week.

As Tom says, in years past, I have always adjusted to the slightly cramped feel of the TT position; usually, though, I had 12+ weeks to ease into it.

John Withrow

It took me 4-5weeks of being on my tri-bike to not be sore... My soreness was in the back bottom of my neck though from looking up so much more. I got longer arms that hold the arm pads on my aerobars so they would be a few cm wider. Stretching will help, but give it several weeks. Also no harm in making the pads as wide as possible at first, then bring them in slowly over time. It's all about helping your body adapt to this new position. And congrats on the sweet new ride!

mattsull

I just got a Retul fit on my tri bike  a couple months ago and the fitter moved my aerobars further apart. Not drastically, but a good amount. I was comfortable before but now even more so. I am also very aero with not a huge drop from seat to pads. I'll post some pics.

Wiseman

Brian,
Have you checked fit with Todd ? He's very good at diagnosing any fit issues that might cause this. Otherwise, its just more time in the tri position.
Bill

gonnzo

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll check back with Todd too, but wanted a level set about expectations here first. I'm already at the max width on these pads so I'll probably have to swap to different bars to get a wider setup. Worth it if I can get something comfortable though.
Cheers

Chris G

The one thing to remember about having the bars wider apart is that it forces you to be lower which can also lead to discomfort.  I ended up moving mine back closer together during the refit this year.  Actually more comfortable as I am a tad higher but still look better to the eyeball wind  tunnel and it has tested pretty fast.  I think it is more all day sustainable which is a good thing.

A major issue is that you need time to adapt to the postion.  I call it "aero neck" and you can expect to have it for a few weeks every year when you move from the basement back to the road no matter how much time you spend on the traininer in the bars.  Being low with your head up to see where you are going is a different sensation.  Give it a few weeks, you will adapt.

GSmith821

Definitely contact Todd.  He will tweak  and tweak as much as you need him to help.

Keep in mind that you should just be "resting" your upper body in the aero bars and not supporting your upper body a great deal.  The support comes from sitting on your saddle.  That takes some getting used to as well.

 

chapdinkins11

The money I paid Todd for his advice was the best investment I ever made. I can't ride sitting up for long I am so comfortable and stable in my aero bars. You will be impressed by his help. Worth ever penny.