Bike fit / correct riding position

I'm thinking of getting some Ritchey Evomax bars. They have a 12 degree flair. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of flaired bars?

@umop3pisdn wants to sell his I think.

Yeah 40cm . they're great buy them.

They were big in the 70s

Too narrow sorry

And why was that? Why did it change?

Like pulling teeth

Sorry, that was a bad "flair" joke, as in the trousers.

I've never used them. I'm as curious as you about what they're for.

I always presumed they were like Spesh aerobars and bent that way to put your wrist into a more natural position.

Missed that one.

That's my assumption re wrists. Possibly lose areo for the fast people.

Ordered some.

less thinking, more doing.

Right it would appear that the pain between my shoulders between neck and back is a result of my arms being quite straight putting me in to a slight shrug/ high shoulders position.
I can't quite work out why this is happening;
Do I prefer to ride with straight arms?
Is it due to not being flexible enough in my back/ hips?

So what's the best course of action?

Bring your bars and levers back? So shorter stem and move your levers back if possible.

Not currently possible.
Seems slightly counter intuitive to me. Would this not increase the shrug?

Think about bending your elbows. Then bend them. Repeat until it's second nature.
Remind yourself to relax your shoulders.

It's an odd one. I always assumed I had tight hamstrings; they felt tight. But the bike fit showed I didn't.

I'm hoping that working on glute strength will gradually eliminate my excessive lower back movement and remaining on-bike issues.

It's weird that I even have to think such things. Getting old I guess.
I've burrowed a roller with a view to doing some stretches/ exercises to try make me a little more supple too.

I could change the bars but it's £300 for a like for like so that's a bit of a last resort. For reference stack is currently maximum.

Habits. The only way to break them is to focus on fixing them until the fix becomes second nature. £300 bars aren't worth shit if they're the thing causing your pain. Internet bike fit though so it could be bloody anything. I'd still get into the habit of having bent arms - free suspension.

All true, making some adjustments. I'm going to wait till spring to get a bike fit unless I manage to iron out all the problems by then.

I was having similar issues over the last few years. When I went to my most recent bike fits the fitter prescribed 20mm shorter stems and moving the levers up the curve of the handlebars (and therefore closer to me) on both bikes.

I'd been trying to get my position low on the bike, but as a result my reach was too long. This meant that my center of gravity was shifted forward, putting more weight on my hands, and therefore increasing the tension in my shoulders. I had a similar "shrug" that you described, and often had neck and shoulder pain on very long rides.

Moving my bars and levers back made me "sit up" more. This shifted my center of gravity back, took the weight off my hands, and meant I could relax my shoulders and neck properly.

Presumably your bars and stem are a one-piece, then? Your manufacturer may offer an "exchange" policy - Canyon definitely do. Otherwise you can probably sell it for not much more than a new one.

Definitely worth just waiting for your next bike fit in spring if you're already planning one, though.

Thanks for that.
It is indeed a Canyon. Any idea how you go about this? Have you done this?
I might bring the bike fit forward if this is an option.

Yeah, they offer a cockpit exchange. Give them a ring or an email to arrange it. They send a new one out to you and then set up an account for you which is in debit until you send the old one back. You have to pay for postage back to Germany, but that's around 30 quid.

Ride on the hoods with arms slightly bent then take your hands off the bars. Are you collapsing forward or can you hold that position and pedal? If your arms are supporting your torso's weight instead of your core/back holding you up your arms are likely to lock out to keep you supported.

I'll try this.
I presume failing this test the remedy would be some core strengthening work?

I presume failing this test the remedy would be some core strengthening work?

More Steve Hogg for you ;-)

Specifically, 'Point of balance'

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/05/seat-set-back-for-road-bikes/