Noob bike fit

[jimmy-moots]

Originally Posted by ah87

I haven’t had a drop bar bike in many years, so don’t have a good comparison. I have an road bike converted into an upright townie and I have a hardtail MTB.

Then I'd recommend a bike fit. There is a cost but it will save the frustration you are about to embark upon.

[Gabe77]

I find the advice the other members have given a bit illogical. Putting the saddle rearward will put more weight onto your hands - therefore make it worse, you want to take weight off.
If your hands hurt its either the bar geometry, too much weightbearing or not enough padding. Have a look at a randonneur style drop bar - Rene Herse/Compass style. Unfortunately if you don't want to touch the handlebar setup the only thing that seems feasible is wrap another layer of tape or treat yourself to some nice gloves. It looks like old fashioned cloth tape - modern tape is really comfortable especially when you have gloves on. You will have to make a choice between preserving your (very nice) bike's randonneur style and being able to enjoy it pain free.
Some few observations: You are using flat pedals - so I'm assuming you are placing your shoes mid-foot on the pedals... That would put your saddle lower that it would ordinarily be with cleated pedals that usually put the ball of the foot over the spindle. There's also less stack height - so the saddle is ever lower still. There is no way you can hurt your knees since your feet are free to move around w/o being clipped in. I suppose the only other way you could hurt your knees with this setup is mashing to much.
The saddle looks too forward so intuitively I assume you should swap in an inline post since you want to sit closer to the bars. The point is your hands hurt - not the saddle position.

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by Gabe77

I find the advice the other members have given a bit illogical. Putting the saddle rearward will put more weight onto your hands - therefore make it worse, you want to take weight off.

I know it's counter-intuitive, but what's been suggested above is correct. Moving the saddle back a bit changes your balance and can help engage core and legs to provide support to your upper body.

Think of bending over to pick something off the ground. If you don't move your hips back and engage your core, you fall forward. Same thing here.

[jadmt]

I would suggest having someone take a photo of you seated on the bike in your normal riding position.

[PortlyPuncheur]

Originally Posted by Gabe77

Putting the saddle rearward will put more weight onto your hands

Sorry Gabe, but this is just incorrect. The other posters are right, many (probably most) problems with front end discomfort start with improper saddle position.

Sheepdog's advice is good, and I love the video that TiDesign linked in the 2nd or 3rd post.

I would also suggest Steve Hogg's pages (well respected fitter). Try this one on saddle height first, then look for his page on saddle fore/aft (setback).
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...ard-can-it-be/