Weight feels very much forward on MTB

[SymbolOfLife]

So after years of just thinking about it, I finally went and picked up a MTB last week. It's high time this long sedentiary lifestyle got seen to.

Anyway, I havent been on a bike since highschool, some 25 years ago. 

As background, the bike my budget settled on is a Trek Marlin 5. I am borderline between L and XL so I opted for the XL rather. 

In the store they did all the setup measurements etc you'd expect and set it up for me, but for the life of me, my weight feels scarily too much tilted forward on the handlebars when seated. A fair amount of strain on the arms, shoulders, and sore wrists/palms. I've now subsequently checked a couple of sites and videos to double check seat height and angle, and everything checks out...seat is level and post appears to be the correct height. 

I so also see that core strength could cause this as a weak core could dump weight to the upper body. I mention this as I've led a pretty sedentiary lifestyle the last couple of years hahahaha, so yes, out of shape is an understatement. 

Like mentioned I've not been on a bike in over two decades, so I am also not sure if I'm just not used to the eseating position on a MTB anymore....

So, with all that mentioned, and pointers in this regard?

 

Edited 3 hours ago by SymbolOfLife
spelling

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Congrats on the bike! 

It sounds like it is too big for you. You’re reaching. Even if you’re out of shape, you should feel at ease on the bike. The right fit feels like you’re “in” the bike, not “on” the bike, if that makes sense. 

XL bikes are very big things and Trek tends to run large - how tall are you and are you long in the leg or long in the torso?