"Elisa Francesca Roselli"
wrote in message ...
I'm still working on the signalling, especially the suggestion of trying
to
lighten up my hold on the handlebars over some safe transits to the point
of
being able to let go of them. I'm nowhere near letting go, but the
analysis
is proving useful.

I am heaviest on the handlebars when coasting, as the downhill tilt throws
me forward. Overall, I realize that much of my weight _is thrown forward
onto the handlebars if I try to keep my ass in place on the seat. To the
point that I get sore arms and carpal tunnel symptoms when I've been
riding
for a while. When today I tried coasting with minimal pressure on the
bars,
putting more of my weight on my rump, I had that very disagreeable
sensation
of hanging on my soft parts, impaled by the seat.

Given that the height of the seat is regulated in relation to the pedals,
is
it possible that the handlebar is too low in relation to the seat, forcing
that forward-thrown, tushy-in-the-air posture? I should mention that my
bike
is a city or "Dutch" type with an upright handlebar, so in principle there
is no justification for a crouching posture. On the other hand, perhaps
all
bikes thrown you forward, and it's a matter of getting used to it? Another
possibly involved parameter is the distance between the seat and the
handlebars - perhaps the seat is too far back, causing a forward lunge
into
a void to hold the bars?

Any guidelines on handlebar height and if and how it should be adjusted? I
don't see one of those quick release pins on the bars as for the seat, and
there is the complication of the shopping basket in the front.

You have a lot of concerns, so bear with me as I try to address them all.
Your weight will definitely be more forward going downhill, but on the
streets it should never be uncomfortably so. Off-road, we often get waaay
off the back of the seat to keep from being pitched too far forward. From
your desriptions, it sounds like you would benefit from raising the
handlebars a bit. Most city bikes are designed to have the majority of your
weight carried by the saddle. It is not surprising that you find this
uncomfortable. You may need to adjust the saddle position a bit to keep it
from squishing your soft parts. If you can't find a good compromise, you may
need a different saddle.

You probably have a "quill" stem on your bike. This is the part that comes
up from the fork and holds your handlebars in place. These stems usually
have a bolt on top. If you loosen that bolt, you should be able to move the
stem up or down to get the right handlebar height. Keep in mind that it will
also rotate, so be cautious about getting it pointed straight forward again.
There should also be a "minimum insertion" line on the side. Make sure you
do not raise the stem any higher than that line.

Weight distribution on your bike is a dynamic entity. As you lean farther
forward, your weight shifts from your butt and feet to your hands. This does
put you in a more aerodynamic position and it increases the traction on your
front tire. But city bikes aren't really made for this position. If your
seat is in the right spot, then your handlebars may be too low or the bike
may be a bit too big for your. You can make corrections by raising the stem,
but you may have to buy a shorter (from front to back) stem to get into a
more comfortable position.

A third and final option is to go out and buy a new bike. You are already
talking about spending several hours a day on it, so it should be fit to you
properly so it provides the greatest performance and comfort. A good shop
can fit you properly.

I am very partial to this last idea for you. You may find that many of the
difficulties you are having are a direct result of a poorly-fitting bicycle.
My first bike was way too big and it could be terrifying at times just
because I was too small to handle it properly. Fit is paramount, but having
the right bike for your type of riding is important as well. I would never
consider using my old Scwinn Panther (a classic cruiser bike from the
sixties) as a commuter. The riding position is all wrong for riding any
distances.

Keep us informed of your progress. It's been great fun so far.

-Buck