I love my fatbike for its sturdiness, but it's not a comfortable bike. My omafiets has spoiled me with its upright riding posture; I find myself pushing back from my handlebars, hanging on with my fingertips.
It took several years before I noticed the trend: every November or December, I'd start to experience shoulder pain. There would be massage appointments, even physiotherapy if it were bad enough.
In spring, suddenly, the pain would evaporate.
It was the year I had extreme shoulder pain after two days spent hammering up floor tiles in a bathroom that I finally put the pieces together: the straight bars on my bike -- that give me wrist discomfort from the first rotation and pull my tense, cold shoulders down -- are hurting my shoulders.
The nearly $100 price tag on the Salsa bars nearly dissuaded me, but when I compare it with the cost of allied health care appointments, it made sense.
After one happy winter with my bent bars, my bike was stolen unbeknowst to me over summer then miraculously returned by the police. But the thieves had removed my nice bars and replaced them with the old straight ones.
The next winter, I finally capitulated and added studded tires. Having dropped a bunch more money on a bike I now had extra reason to fear would be stolen, I just couldn't bring myself to buy new bars.
Last winter I rode the fatgirl rarely, being in Nederland from January to March, so I gritted my teeth and more through.
This year, it was time though. Before tense shoulder muscles demanded professional attention, I saw a sale on handlebars at Natural Cycleworks and rushed over to take advantage.
I still find myself pushing back, seeking a more upright position than the aggressive riding posture will afford, but the improvement on wrists and shoulders is palpable.
Biking is just a bit more joyful again.
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