Shoulder problems and Aerobars

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2013-10-18 7:15 PM

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Regular
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100252525
Houston, Texas
Subject: Shoulder problems and Aerobars
Has anyone had serious shoulder problems due to aerobars? I'm sure there's a fit issue as I fit myself with clip-on aerobars. I am fairly sure I put them too narrow. I positioned them about as narrow (approx 3 -4 inches apart) as I see them on tri bikes in the stores. But, I've got broad shoulders and it has caught up to me as my Tri a month ago was very windy so everyone was riding aero. I nearly rode aero the whole way which I never do. But, a day or two later my shoulders were killing me. The right shoulder is OK now, but the left is still hurting - pretty badly. I think I have a torn rotator cuff. I'm finding it difficult to move in several different directions, plus it doesn't feel 100% stable.

Anyone have experience with this?

I'd say my forearms were almost as close together as this guys:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/article/vandevelde-gets-set-for-20...

I took off the aerobars for last weekend's tri and did OK just with my regular drop bars. But, assuming I can either heal or otherwise get treated and be back to 100% for next season I need to weigh out my bike/aerobar options.

Edited by Maniton 2013-10-18 7:18 PM

2013-10-20 9:32 PM
in reply to: Maniton

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Expert
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100010025
Fernandina Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Shoulder problems and Aerobars
Please don't take this advice the wrong way, but stop looking at pro's for how to set up your bike. Vandevelde's set up probably isn't going to work for you. You think you tore your rotator cuff on the ride or it was torn before and now hurts? Having dealt with my fiancee's torn rotator cuff I'd say it's pretty unlikely that just riding in aero tore it, there's no way she could have completed a tri with it torn; however if you think it's that bad you should probably go see a Dr. I'm a big guy (230) and it took me awhile to get used to riding on aerobars, even after a fit. If you decide to set up your aerobars again I'd just work on comfort. After than work on getting a more aggressive set up.
2013-10-28 9:57 PM
in reply to: #4880226

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Regular
176
100252525
Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Shoulder problems and Aerobars
The picture was only to demonstrate how close my forearms were. I have no idea who the guy is and didn't use him as a model. I'm not set up that aggressively in terms of lean, but I'll definitely need to spread the bars out some - next spring. I've started rehabbing my shoulder and it's going ok. I'm still really sore and experiencing pain and still not convinced I don't have some level of tear, but I think I'm on the road to recovery. If I stop seeing improvement I'll get in to a doctor.

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