How to fix arm aches after cycling?
I ride about 6 miles to work. It's city streets -- sometimes smooth sometimes bumpy, no big hills. I'm on a road bike. After I ride, my upper arms are really sore/achy for a couple hours. Maybe it's a shock absorption thing? This seems to have started recently -- I was riding for 2 months with no problems, then I adjusted my saddle to ease pain on my knees. Could this be related to my arm pain?
Recent searches: butt ache after cycling
Saddle adjustment could definitely be the cause. If you tilted the nose of your saddle downwards to alleviate pressure on sensitive areas, your body (thanks to gravity) willl follow the path of least resistance and slowly slide downward and forward as you ride. To counter this motion, you will subconsciously do a constant "push up" against your handlebars to keep your butt rearwards and higher up.
That tires your upper arms, particularly the triceps.
could have put your arms in an unnatural position leading to the pain
Yes, adjusting the saddle height can change your position enough that you may be carrying more weight on your arms.
Make sure your bike frame is the right size for you. A good bike shop should be able to help check that.
Also, not knowing what kind of handlebars you’re using, I can’t comment on that, but those old ones where the grips are parallel with the bike frame are notorious for causing some people hand, wrist or even arm problems. Again, a bike shop can show you some alternatives, if that’s the case.
Also remember to bend your elbows slightly, especially if you now have more weight on your arms. You want the shock to be absorbed by your muscles – not your joints. If the pain you’re feeling is just muscular, then your arms are probably getting stronger…
Get yourself a Recumbent Bike, the most comfortable bike you could ever ride. No upper body stress of any kind. The arms, head/neck and upper back problems of an upright ( DF ) rider are completely GONE!!!
And another HUGE plus of a recumbent bike is you never have any stress/pain/discomfort or any issues because your +ss herts. Find some one that has a recumbent and introduce your self to blissful riding
It sounds to be that the increase of saddle side altered your reach to your handlebars putting your arms in a locked unnatural position. It sounds like you should change your stem length. Most likely it needs to be shorter. Most shops will exchange your used stem for a used stem of theirs of a different length. Also if there are any spacers above your stem you should put the handlebars above all of the spacers. If you have any question about how to change these things bring it to your local bike shop and I am sure they will show you what you need to do.