I'm getting creative trying to get into the bike position I want without compromises. I'm on a Felt IA16 size 51, which seems to be one of the best combinations of stack / reach for a bike that (allegedly) accepts a standard stem (but they cut the steerer so short I’ll probably need to get a new fork for a new stem)
* Pad stack: under 570
* Pad reach: at least 546
* pad angle: 23 degrees
* I need about 330 mm of extension beyond the center of the pad since I put my elbows right on the pad.
* I’d like to avoid having to turn the base bar up to achieve my pad angle / bar angle.
Pic: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SQZZ8BRtOGLtcDn23
The reach and pad tilt are 100% for comfort-- as I get less long (and have less tilt) I become less and less comfortable. At "my" length / tilt I feel I’m literally just relaxing down on the bike. Even being 1 cm shorter makes a pretty noticeable difference. That pad stack is very comfortable -- it would be great to have the option to get lower, even if I choose not to use it. (PS, I tried the tririg alpha -- it was low enough but not long enough and didn’t have enough tilt and bothered my back.)
Here are the only 2 solutions I can think of:
1. PRobably dangerous: use a 130mm adjustable stem at -40 degree angle. Then put the pads about 7.5 cm up the extensions (I have to use tririg extensions since they are the only ones long enough). https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ql058AzPx7JX6PLS2
2. Get a custom stem- 155 mm / -40 degree angle. (I’ve comfortably ridden a 140mm -17 in the past which ends up being the same length-- less responsive but more stable vs. short stem). That gets the base bar out long enough for me to use the new zipp vuka clip and gets me a tiny bit of room to get lower if I want.
I got a quote for that custom stem for $450. (if anyone has a recommendation for custom stems, I’m all ears)
Any other ideas before I pull the trigger on the stem?
Coach of TriForce Triathlon Team
* Pad stack: under 570
* Pad reach: at least 546
* pad angle: 23 degrees
* I need about 330 mm of extension beyond the center of the pad since I put my elbows right on the pad.
* I’d like to avoid having to turn the base bar up to achieve my pad angle / bar angle.
Pic: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SQZZ8BRtOGLtcDn23
The reach and pad tilt are 100% for comfort-- as I get less long (and have less tilt) I become less and less comfortable. At "my" length / tilt I feel I’m literally just relaxing down on the bike. Even being 1 cm shorter makes a pretty noticeable difference. That pad stack is very comfortable -- it would be great to have the option to get lower, even if I choose not to use it. (PS, I tried the tririg alpha -- it was low enough but not long enough and didn’t have enough tilt and bothered my back.)
Here are the only 2 solutions I can think of:
1. PRobably dangerous: use a 130mm adjustable stem at -40 degree angle. Then put the pads about 7.5 cm up the extensions (I have to use tririg extensions since they are the only ones long enough). https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ql058AzPx7JX6PLS2
2. Get a custom stem- 155 mm / -40 degree angle. (I’ve comfortably ridden a 140mm -17 in the past which ends up being the same length-- less responsive but more stable vs. short stem). That gets the base bar out long enough for me to use the new zipp vuka clip and gets me a tiny bit of room to get lower if I want.
I got a quote for that custom stem for $450. (if anyone has a recommendation for custom stems, I’m all ears)
Any other ideas before I pull the trigger on the stem?
Coach of TriForce Triathlon Team
Last edited by:
kevincoady: Sep 14, 17 16:18
