vtje

Hi, don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but I recently upgraded from 10yo Specialized Roubaix to Cervelo R3 and love the new bike a lot! The only problem is that I started having a shoulder pain (long-standing Rotator Cuff problem), usually following longish rides. Also, my hands get numb on rough roads on a new bike, which almost never happened on the old bike.
One of the things I am suspecting is an increased amount of handlebars vibration on the new bike, Cervelo being much stiffer than my old Roubaix.
Any thoughts? Would carbon handlebars help here?
Thanks!

fried bake

GeneO 

Could be Bursitis, I found hot water directed on the shoulder during the after-ride shower keeps it in check. Wet heat.

Seattle Forrest

It's fit not vibrations. You can still buy carbon bars, though.

Campag4life

Two bikes have different geometries. Older Roubaix's have some of the tallest stack in the industry.
You likely have more weight on your hands with the Cervelo. You can compare stack and reach of each geometry chart and what stem you had/have on each to determine the position difference.

jpescatore

I completely tore my rotator cuff 5 years ago, if you are sure it is really pain there, I agree with the fit (especially reach) recommendations. After surgery, I was told to avoid fully extended arm exercises and straight up overhead weight lifting. The more slammed your stem, the more your arms are stretched out on the bike, the closer you get to those conditions.

vtje

I think you guys nailed it, the stack is about 25mm lower on a new bike. Ironically, one of the requirements for the upgrade was to get a more aggressive position on the bike.
Thank you all, there are some ways to increase stack, I will try it

Brofessor

If your reach is too short or too long, you will have less or more than ideal shoulder rotation, which will inevitably lead to added work for rotator cuffs. Your upper arms should roughly have a right degree angle with your torso.

KraneXL

Could be anything, he didn't describe the symptoms. Although numb hands would indicate poor circulation, so in that case thicker cushion bar tape and/or padded/gel gloves might be the answer.

Brofessor

He did describe the symptoms. He said his rotator cuffs have pain after long rides coupled with numbness in hands. Both of those symptoms are indicative of too much pressure on hands related to poor fit, assuming that his symptoms only occur after cycling (which sounds like the case).

KraneXL

Pain? That description is grossly insufficient. Especially considering the complexity of the shoulder/rotator cuff.

Brofessor

The insufficiency of the description doesn't change the fact that it is a "symptom". I am not a physician, but I don't see anything complex about the rotator cuff itself. It looks like a single tendon among many others in the shoulder. Correct me if I am wrong there.

cyclintom

This would be very nice (and most of my bikes are set up this way) but this sticks you WAY up into the wind and is like riding with the brakes on into the wind or at speed.

Brofessor

You can have a right degree angle between your upper arms and torso in a more aero position. If you have a longer stem, you can lean forward more and bend your elbows more to achieve the same angle. Like this guy:

cyclintom

This is a racing position and it sucks to ride any distance like this for someone that is going to turn 74 in two weeks. What I am doing is reversing my stem so that it is flat as in your picture and then riding in my normal upright position but lower overall.

Brofessor

That sounds like a happy medium between a racy position and a "riding against the wind" position.

cyclintom

I'll let you know how It turns out. I just reversed the stem and it worries me a little but we'll see.

Carbonfiberboy 

Oddly enough, with a proper bike fit that 90° angle stays very close to the same throughout the various riding positions. Whatever your torso angle, do try to get that 90° angle through stem adjustment. Also, most people have their saddle further forward than makes sense, so there's that adjustment, too.

Carbonfiberboy 

I also have a torn cuff and at 73, who knows what else. I keep my shoulders pain-free on the bike by doing dumbbell work in the gym, especially in the fall. Works like a charm. I keep my starting weights at the level of discomfort, a good notch below pain.

vtje

Thanks, guys, I fiddled with my fit using BFF Elite app and turned saddle nose slightly upward, did a quick 30 miler last night and seems like there is much less weight on my arms, shoulder did not bother either.

bleui

is the saddle level (parallel to the earth) to begin with? because for me, angling the saddle up do make the hand/shoulder less fatigue but it puts pressure on the private part

cyclintom

Taking the bike out of the stand and down on the ground the change seems hardly noticeable.

itchyjoe

I had "shoulder impingement" last summer that got progressively worse thru the riding season. Got on a regular stretching and strengthening routine (Youtube) which wasn't helping. Supination, especially bicep curls, really hurt. Two months into the offseason I finally figured out the problem was in my neck upon discovering I couldn't put chin to shoulder on the affected side. Starting and staying on a good neck stretching routine has fixed the problem. No pain at all thru this season and supination with curls is equal on both sides--and I'm on the same bikes with no position changes. Extending our heads for long periods on road bikes is an abnormal position --unless you're a ceiling painter--so neck attention is important. When stretching your neck don't grind your head around in circles; rather use 6 dedicated directions: side-side, forward-backward, and lateral-lateral. And holding a bit of pressure at each position for extra stretch is OK if it doesn't hurt. Heat helps relax the muscles too, either a rolled up heating pad or rice sock. Hope this helps!

Campag4life

Great advice Joe. Do you have a youtube video to reference for your neck stretching regiment? My neck has always been my achilles heel on the bike and has always kept me from riding more slammed.

itchyjoe

I like this one because she shows the six directions without grinding in a circle. For adding heat we made a "rice sock" using a tube sock filled with slow cooking rice. Put it in the microwave for a few minutes then lay it around your neck like a horseshoe. Great way to relax after a hard day!