Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

Elite

3488

Lakewood, CO

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

I was starting to experience some of that this month too. I slid my right AeroBar out about 3mm and it seemed to help. (I will find out more this weekend when I have a 56 mile ride - at race effort)

My Race Log

Iron Donkey

38643

, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

bradparsons01 - 2007-09-13 10:39 PM My right shoulder gets painfully sore when I'm on the bike. I don't recall aggravating doing anything else. Am I doing something wrong?

Have your fitting checked, and get lotsa T.I.T.S (time in the saddle).

I have a problem with my left shoulder, down along the arm. Partially it's a pinched nerve, and getting older! The sensation/numbness/pain doesn't happen until somewhere past 20 plus miles for me, and then it settles, comes back, settles, etc., but no real pattern. I work it out the best I can.

My Race Log

Member

51

Arlington, TX

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

1stTimeTri - 2007-09-14 9:16 AM

bradparsons01 - 2007-09-13 10:39 PM My right shoulder gets painfully sore when I'm on the bike. I don't recall aggravating doing anything else. Am I doing something wrong?

Have your fitting checked, and get lotsa T.I.T.S (time in the saddle).

I have a problem with my left shoulder, down along the arm. Partially it's a pinched nerve, and getting older! The sensation/numbness/pain doesn't happen until somewhere past 20 plus miles for me, and then it settles, comes back, settles, etc., but no real pattern. I work it out the best I can.

I had the bike "fit" when I bought it, but not since I added clipless pedals. I've been making minor adjustments here and there, but I really should take it in.

It's interesting that you said 20 miles, because that's when I really start to notice the pain.

My Race Log

Elite

4235

Spring, TX

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

I have a bad shoulder that gets very stiff any time I'm in the saddle for more than a couple hours. One thing that helps is to do arm rotations every 30 min or so to keep them loose. Kind of like standing up off your saddle every 30 min or so to get the blood flowing in other areas.

My Race Log

Sensei

Sin City

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

jcjsc00 - 2007-09-13 8:43 PM

I was starting to experience some of that this month too. I slid my right AeroBar out about 3mm and it seemed to help. (I will find out more this weekend when I have a 56 mile ride - at race effort)

x2 - plus more riding time and the pain has all but gone away.

My Race Log

Expert

755

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

is this a road or tri bike? I would suggest go to a fit specialist and have them look at you. The adding of clipless pedals can make a huge difference in your posture on the bike which can perhaps be the casue of your issue. Also, you may have too much weight on your arms and a good fitter can help alleviate some of that pressure which could be causing the discomfort. It is impossible to know what is going on without seeing you.

Where are you located? I do bike fitting and would be happy to look at you.

My Race Log

Master

2406

Bellevue, WA

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

bradparsons01 - 2007-09-14 8:12 AM

I had the bike "fit" when I bought it, but not since I added clipless pedals. I've been making minor adjustments here and there, but I really should take it in.

It's interesting that you said 20 miles, because that's when I really start to notice the pain.

This is the reason why there is such a chorus of "get a professional fitting" and "fit is everything!" on the BT boards. While I believe "fit isn't everything, it's just the first thing" you should find a good bike fitter and get your position checked.

There are so many things that could be causing this. It may be related to your bars (aero or otherwise). Or it could be that adding your pedals change how you sit which changes how you lean on your arms. Or your bike just might not have been fit correctly from day one, and only now have the cumulative effects of a bad fit reached sufficient "critical mass" to cause you pain.

BTW, what exactling is a "fitting"? I have been "fit" by the guy at the bike store eyeballing my position as I ride around the parking lot, saying "raise the seat a bit and you're gold". That is NOT a fitting!

I have been fit by riding on a trainer and having the guy use protractors and plumb bobs and measuring tapes. That's the minimum of what a fitting should be like, so if your store didn't go at least that far then you haven't had a fitting.

My Race Log

Member

51

Arlington, TX

Subject: RE: Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

brucemorgan - 2007-09-15 12:27 PM

bradparsons01 - 2007-09-14 8:12 AM

I had the bike "fit" when I bought it, but not since I added clipless pedals. I've been making minor adjustments here and there, but I really should take it in.

It's interesting that you said 20 miles, because that's when I really start to notice the pain.

This is the reason why there is such a chorus of "get a professional fitting" and "fit is everything!" on the BT boards. While I believe "fit isn't everything, it's just the first thing" you should find a good bike fitter and get your position checked.

There are so many things that could be causing this. It may be related to your bars (aero or otherwise). Or it could be that adding your pedals change how you sit which changes how you lean on your arms. Or your bike just might not have been fit correctly from day one, and only now have the cumulative effects of a bad fit reached sufficient "critical mass" to cause you pain.

BTW, what exactling is a "fitting"? I have been "fit" by the guy at the bike store eyeballing my position as I ride around the parking lot, saying "raise the seat a bit and you're gold". That is NOT a fitting!

I have been fit by riding on a trainer and having the guy use protractors and plumb bobs and measuring tapes. That's the minimum of what a fitting should be like, so if your store didn't go at least that far then you haven't had a fitting.

I haven't had a proper fit. I just getting to the point to where I am understanding how important putting yourself in the right position on the bike is.

I'm probably nor going to have it done this year, but will likely have a fit done before next season. BTW ... how much does this cost?

To answer other questions asked. I live in Arlington, TX and ride a road bike.

My Race Log

Sore Shoulder on the Bike ...

REGISTER TODAY