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Arm fatigue after switching to MTB

Old 07-23-19, 08:20 AM
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bratan
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Arm fatigue after switching to MTB

I've been road biking for years and this year I switched to a mountain bike (GT Aggressor Pro). I've been training on flat road and usually after about 5 miles I'm getting severe arm fatigue in the elbow pit/forearm area. I'm thinking it might have something to do with bike geometry or improper adjustment. I do like to have my seat high like on Road Bike, maybe that's causing it? Is there some kind of adjustment I can make to handlebars, etc.? I'd love to hear any suggestions you guys might have!
I'm 5'11" and bike frame size "L" (it's 2018 GT Aggressor Pro, 27.5" wheels)
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Old 07-23-19, 09:30 AM
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trailangel
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You need to ride the MTB more. Different muscles are getting used.
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Old 07-23-19, 09:49 AM
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Road riders who switch to MTB often keep weight too far forward - likely what you are doing since you are riding on flat roads. When I started riding off road seriously after 30 years of nothing but road, I got a small piece of advice I remember every ride - light hands, heavy feet. It took me a while to stop riding my MTB like a road bike and instead ride with weight centered at the BB.
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Old 07-23-19, 09:54 AM
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rumrunn6
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maybe add bar ends so you can pivot your wrists outward?

Last edited by rumrunn6; 07-23-19 at 11:44 AM.
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Old 07-23-19, 11:31 AM
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Ryder1
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I'm not sure. Maybe move all stem spacers under stem to lift bar? I don't have much experience riding mountain bikes on flat roads.
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Old 07-23-19, 11:36 AM
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Digger Goreman
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I started commuting on an mtb. The two stress relievers for me were good gloves, and then Ergon grips with bar ends. Game changers....
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Old 07-23-19, 12:23 PM
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bratan
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Thank you guys, great advise! I will keep trying to ride and with my weight shifted back...
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Old 07-23-19, 03:32 PM
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Get a bike fit from your LBS.
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Old 07-23-19, 05:15 PM
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What most have said here. Keep on riding and you'll get used to it. I'm your total opposite and started road a few years ago BUT at the same time I'm still mountain biking. I mix it up every week between both. Maybe that will help too in the long run.
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