I have been riding a Trek Domane for the past 5 years. Its been my all around bike. I’ve done century charity rides on it as well as all of my triathlons. Numerous sprint and a few olympic distance races. I feel awesome on this bike. But I didn’t always. I have noticed that over the years, tiny tweaks here and there have really made my riding more enjoyable. More important than the tweaks, i would say, is just time in the saddle.
My bike shop really prides themselves on their fit process. I have gone back even a year or more later and they have swapped out a stem or made adjustments for me.
I have maybe a total of 60 miles on my new Fuji Norcom.
Its all been on my trainer, since I just got it during this winter, and the weather hasn’t really been helpful for riding outside. I have always had a rough time getting comfortable on my trainer, even on my Trek.
Is it a long transition getting used to the aero position?
Have I still not lost enough weight to effectively ride in the aero position?
Do I just need to shut up and keep riding?
Should I just ditch the stock seat right away? If so where do i start as far as finding the right seat?
Below is a quick video of me on the trainer. https://youtu.be/mBzvJA6HnOs
Does anything jump out as wrong?
Thank you for looking.
I’ll be pulling out my tri bike soon as I get ready for another season. I always start on the trainer and do a workout where I alternate 10 min aero position, 1 min up on the horns. I’ll build up to 6x and then up the time in aero. Once the weather gets better, I’ll be out on the road.
I could have written your post word for word. I hated my bike on the trainer because it was really stiff and uncomfortable. I did a ride outside two weeks ago and I felt a lot better about it. I am down to 200lbs now and my near term goal is to ride aero 75% of the time. I go in 5-10 minutes chunks of Aero and then rest a couple minutes. I still have to lose 20-25lbs more but I think at my current weight the aero position is obtainable but Im not beating myself up if Im not fully aero 100%. I wish I had access to some loaner seats so I could try to get something more comfortable maybe you could try the bike shop for that.
I was the opposite as you. I never got really comfortable on my road bike for some reason, a smidge big I think. I bought a Fuji Aloha and loved it from the get go. I recently sold it and purchased a used Cervelo P2 and am having an adjustment period with it. I still prefer it over riding a road bike though.
My first couple weeks on the trainer my first time with my tri bike did not feel right. I had hot spots on the saddle, tight muscles, and sore back & neck. First ride outside was a terror show of weaving. But, after a month, I was golden.
Pretty much everything is wrong. Saddle too high and far back.
Bars too far away (saddle forward will help)
Extensions too flat
Bars too low.
The Norcom is a good bike but the bars are terrible, I’d suggest finding a good tri fitter and plan on changing the bars.
Can’t watch your video because I’m at work and can’t see video. Something about productivity? Without seeing your size, I can say that it’s probably not weight related. I’ve got a gut and ride a Norcom as well in aero without a problem, on the road. The trainer feels different to me.
Also I’d ditch the saddle and bars. Unless they’ve switched the bars since the 2016 models those oval bars are garbage.
I’m glad your shop treats you well. They’ve obviously provided great customer service to earn your business.
However, that fit is poor. You’re on the wrong saddle, the saddle is high, and the cockpit needs adjustment as well (although if it’s an Oval cockpit, you may need a different cockpit altogether to achieve the comfort that’s possible).
They may be excellent road fitters, but unfortunately that is a poor triathlon fit.
I’m glad your shop treats you well. They’ve obviously provided great customer service to earn your business.
However, that fit is poor. You’re on the wrong saddle, the saddle is high, and the cockpit needs adjustment as well (although if it’s an Oval cockpit, you may need a different cockpit altogether to achieve the comfort that’s possible).
They may be excellent road fitters, but unfortunately that is a poor triathlon fit.
Where are you located?
All of these replies , honestly, have me pretty bummed out.
I would have hoped my shop fit me properly, and it appears they haven’t. Im not sure how to go back into my shop with the info you guys have given me. Is it weird to say. “I’m uncomfortable on this bike, and some people on a forum told me my fit is way off.â€
It’s either that, or I’ll have to pay to get a fit elsewhere.
Again, I hate to be the bearer of disappointing news but you’ll need to go elsewhere.
Then I guess my next question is, who is a good fitter in the Philadelphia area? I’m in the northern suburbs, but I can go into the city if needed.
And what should a good fitting cost? Under $200?
Most shops think that they fit well even if they don’t which makes finding a good fitter challenging. Trust other triathletes or folks that recommend from here.
If you have a good fit, you should feel comfortable right off.
I understand you don’t want to pay more money for a good fit but you will be more comfortable. If you don’t get a good fit, you’ll be searching and trying ways to fix it and end up spending more money than if you just get it done now.
I had fit coordinates I brought to the shop I bought my last tri bike from, and they couldn’t even set up the bike to the measurements.
“My bike shop really prides themselves on their fit process.”
Go back and just tell them you’re not comfortable. If they truly pride themselves on their fit process, they’ll work with you to get it right. You have given them your money and business, so don’t feel bad for asking for a better fit.
Yeah, this is pretty typical for starting out. And I’ve seen plenty of people going to “great” fitters, but they’re great at fitting people on road bikes, not tri bikes. On a tri bike, you gotta push that saddle seriously far forward. Like so far, you think it’s f*cking dangerous and ridiculous. When you finally quit fighting it and do it, you’ll be like, “holy shit this is fast.” Until then, you’ll live a life of back pain, crotch pain, and non-impressive bike results for what you paid for that bike. Don’t ride it like a road bike. Ride a tri bike like a tri bike. Move that saddle forward until your elbows are almost under your shoulders. Like within an inch.
Your first few road rides will be scary with how twitchy the bike handles. Ride the aero bars uphill at first until you get used to them. Then gradually ride them more often on the flats. Then graduate to the downhills. It’ll take a few rides. That’s normal too.
“My bike shop really prides themselves on their fit process.”
Go back and just tell them you’re not comfortable. If they truly pride themselves on their fit process, they’ll work with you to get it right. You have given them your money and business, so don’t feel bad for asking for a better fit.
I think I’m going to start by going back to my shop. They said to bring it back after a 100 miles or so to readjust the shifters because the cables stretch.
I’m just not sure what to say. I don’t want to tell them something general like , “I’m not comfortable.â€
I guess I’ll just say what you guys have said. Reading the comments it makes sense.
I feel like I’m too far from the handle bars.
I feel like my bar extensions need to be higher. I feel like I’m twisting my wrist down just to hold onto them.
DO NOT get bummed out. you are doing something noble, ie, taking care of yourself, and enjoying life. Just start with a simple adjustment or two, with your shop’s assistance. I’ll bet they won’t mind at all. Lower the seat a bit, and move it forward/get into a more forward position. Ride in increments, let your body adjust. Do some stretching. You can work through this. CONGRATS on your new bike!