Wow. Handlebar setup is such a person-specific issue, and it's very hard in my experience to transfer one rider's ideal setup to another rider. However, here are my thoughts (YMMV) ...
I've been more susceptible to hand/arm problems since my first PBP (done in 2007 on a Quickbeam equipped with Noodle bars). I ride several bikes with slightly different bar/hood setups, and I've learned a few things that work for me: -- I've stopped wearing padded gloves and started wearing thin, full-finger gloves--or no gloves at all. My hands seem to get tired faster when I'm grabbing onto a fatter bar/hood combo, and the padding in most cycling gloves makes this worse. -- I try to keep the overall diameter of what I'm holding onto as small as possible. I use regular padded tape, but no extra padding. My hands also feel more comfortable on older-style brake hoods (Campy Record, Mafac) that are narrower and easier to fit my hands around than newer models (Campy Ergopower). -- While conventional wisdom suggests setting up a long, flat platform for my hands (extending the top of the bars with the brake hoods), I've found that a more traditional setup with the hoods lower than the tops of the bars works better for me. Here's a photo of my Motobecane, which is very comfortable to ride, compared with the 1939 Raleigh that Tommy Godwin used to set the world record for most miles ridden in a year: http://flic.kr/p/pVjx8c My new Alex Singer is set up much the same, and is working very well so far: http://flic.kr/p/qMeY3b Give the Noodle bars a try, and don't be afraid to move things around. Keeping your hands happy is very important, and worth getting right. --Eric N www.CampyOnly.com CampyOnlyGuy.blogspot.com Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy > On Mar 12, 2015, at 8:52 AM, Dave <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hey folks, > > Looking for some advice on my newly installed 46cm Nitto Noodle (swapped out > Albatross bars). PBH of 84, a little over 5'8", riding a 57cm AHH. I > installed the Noodle on a 9cm Tallux stem that's currently at its max height > (about 2" above saddle height). The noodle itself is setup in the way > described on Riv's page, with a pretty flat ramp extended by the brake hoods. > On a 20 mile ride yesterday I found my shoulder blades feeling tension, and > found myself alternating between the ramps and the top of the bar, with the > hoods feeling like they were really a reach. Am I describing a typical > feeling/riding experience on Noodles, or do I just have proportions that may > be better suited for the more upright riding style of Albatrosses? It > certainly seems like I shouldn't have to "get used" to a bar before feeling > comfortable, but am looking for your experienced input on making a switch > from upright to drops. > > Thanks! > Dave > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
