Transition from Mtb to Road bike

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:19 pm

I bought my first road bike yesterday and seem to be struggling a lot.
As I'm used to riding in a upright where my breathing is spot on.. Now with the change in position my breathing is out of wack.
So has anyone got some tips?
I had the bike fitted for "touring" so roughly sitting at a 45 degree angle

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Kenzo · Postby **Kenzo** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:24 pm

What width handlebars are fitted and would you consider yourself to be broad shouldered?

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:44 am

I have broad shoulders, weigh 125 ish kg. handle bar that came with my trek 3.1 are about 47cm

foo on patrol · Postby **foo on patrol** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:41 am

It will take a few ride to accustom your body to the new position.

Do you ride with your arms locked in straight or slightly bent out?

Foo

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:37 am

I bend my elbows pointing down a little

Kenzo · Postby **Kenzo** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:18 am

jamesn184 wrote:I have broad shoulders, weigh 125 ish kg. handle bar that came with my trek 3.1 are about 47cm

Thanks James - I was checking to see if your handlebar width was restricting your chest.
It does not sound like this is the case.

Other than 'getting used to it'... are you riding with a backpack/camelbak? If so, can you loosen the shoulder and chest straps?

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:17 pm

I was back in the bike shop today to get my cassette tightened and it turns out my hands were in the wrong position which may not of helped.
Ill try to loosen the chest strap on my bag to see if that helps

Mrfenejeans · Postby **Mrfenejeans** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:27 am

jamesn184 wrote:...it turns out my hands were in the wrong position which may not of helped.

What position were your hands in to be in the wrong position???.

Over my rides ill change my hand positions frequently over about 4-5 different places on the bars and I've never felt that anyone position causes me pain(other than being in the drops too long) or changes my breathing to anything noticeably different. In my limited experience I've found altering hand position dependent on what you are doing, especially climbing a great aid in performance. Its also good to always try and keep your arms and hands relaxed.

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:04 pm

Mrfenejeans wrote:
jamesn184 wrote:...it turns out my hands were in the wrong position which may not of helped.

What position were your hands in to be in the wrong position???.

Over my rides ill change my hand positions frequently over about 4-5 different places on the bars and I've never felt that anyone position causes me pain(other than being in the drops too long) or changes my breathing to anything noticeably different. In my limited experience I've found altering hand position dependent on what you are doing, especially climbing a great aid in performance. Its also good to always try and keep your arms and hands relaxed.

I had my hands were in the drop position