Too far forward??
05-31-19, 11:55 AM
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Too far forward??
Hey, I know I should probably go get a fitting done, but atm I can not afford one. When I am riding it constantly feels like I'm falling forward. I notice that after some time my hands are starting to go numb due to leaning on them too much and not balancing over the center of my bike. My seat is level so I figured it's not that. I'm not sure if I need a taller stem or what may be the case, or if maybe my core just isn't strong enough. Im, 6'1, 265, havent been riding for quite a while and am now commuting to work 7 miles each way. I don't seem to have any other issues with a weak core though. Any advice would be great.
05-31-19, 02:33 PM
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Hey, I know I should probably go get a fitting done, but atm I can not afford one. When I am riding it constantly feels like I'm falling forward. I notice that after some time my hands are starting to go numb due to leaning on them too much and not balancing over the center of my bike. My seat is level so I figured it's not that. I'm not sure if I need a taller stem or what may be the case, or if maybe my core just isn't strong enough. Im, 6'1, 265, havent been riding for quite a while and am now commuting to work 7 miles each way. I don't seem to have any other issues with a weak core though. Any advice would be great.
06-01-19, 05:39 AM
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Moving the saddle back sounds right to me also. Usually a saddle can be slid forward or back through a range of a few centimeters. If that range is not enough adjustment for you, a new seat post with a greater "setback" is needed. F'instance, I had to get a seat post with 25 centimeters setback to move the saddle back far enough.
06-01-19, 07:35 PM
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I will definately try that, I checked it out and there is room to move it back some.
06-04-19, 06:12 PM
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I guess I'm different. I'd move the seat forward and lower the bars.
06-05-19, 12:03 PM
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Definitely move the saddle back. You should be able to briefly lift your hands off the hoods while pedaling, without sliding forward on the saddle. Your hands should feel light on the bars. If the post clamp is then way forward on the saddle rails, you'll need a post with more setback. Most setback posts have about 25mm, but Velo Orange has posts with more.
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06-05-19, 12:34 PM
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Moving the seat back can work provided it doesn't cause you to lean forward more.
Just briefly, the "center of gravity" we're concerned with is with respect to the upper body only, and how far that is from the two points of support: the handlebars and the saddle. The closer the COG is to the handlebars, the more weight on the hands. It matters little where the feet are (just ignore all that "crouching balance" stuff).
So - you adjust reach in some fashion, and you adjust how much you lean, and that accounts for - with a scant few percent- how much weight is on the hands. But you describe the problem as hands going numb, and feeling like you're falling forward, and assume like most people that it's because of "too much" weight on the hands. I suggest looking at the problems without the assumption, because that doesn't always solve it or even help.
Just briefly, the "center of gravity" we're concerned with is with respect to the upper body only, and how far that is from the two points of support: the handlebars and the saddle. The closer the COG is to the handlebars, the more weight on the hands. It matters little where the feet are (just ignore all that "crouching balance" stuff).
So - you adjust reach in some fashion, and you adjust how much you lean, and that accounts for - with a scant few percent- how much weight is on the hands. But you describe the problem as hands going numb, and feeling like you're falling forward, and assume like most people that it's because of "too much" weight on the hands. I suggest looking at the problems without the assumption, because that doesn't always solve it or even help.
