I’ve been fitted professionally for other bikes, but I thought I’d play around with fitting myself to this one. I have used my measurements on my other bikes as a starting point, but one is a road bike and the other is a tri geom with 700c wheels. I think I have the saddle height and fore aft right, but I’m wondering if I should try for a lower position on the handlebars. My only concern is that I have poor flexability in my hamstrings and tend to get sharp pain in them when trying for a lower position. Any advice on improving my position would be appreciated.
I’m definitely not a fitter, but here is what I see:
too long of a top tube, you are too stretched out → get a shorter stem
aerobar height could definitely be lower → lower it BUT do it with a shorter stem. you seem too stretched out to lower it. could feel unfomfortable if you simply lowered without a shorter stem.
saddle height might not be high enough → play around moving the saddle a up, mm by mm and see if you are more powerful that way.
definitely don’t settle with my notes. get other help & next time you take pictures, take them exactly from the side, not at an angle.
I think maybe the perspective on the pic makes me look more stretched out than I am. The reach feels fine. I’m able to reach the shifters with no problems. If I shorten the stem, my knees will hit my elbows when I’m riding out on the nose of the saddle. Also, the saddle height may look a little, low, but I’m pretty sure it’s right. The pic was taken while pedaling so my foot’s not 100% at it’s lowest point. My main concern is whether or not I should lower the bars.
You sure? I like a longer front end, but you look waaaaaaaaaaay too far out there. Try holding that position for a few hours after swimming and report back :-).
You admit to having poor flex in your hammies. OK, so knowing that, what are you doing to fix that? Your position looks really high by any measure, even mine!
Good thinking taking the pic facing outdoors… less heckle factor on things inside your house (although I see that bad in/out carpet, and what appears to be an indoor spa).
I think maybe the perspective on the pic makes me look more stretched out than I am. The reach feels fine. I’m able to reach the shifters with no problems. If I shorten the stem, my knees will hit my elbows when I’m riding out on the nose of the saddle. Also, the saddle height may look a little, low, but I’m pretty sure it’s right. The pic was taken while pedaling so my foot’s not 100% at it’s lowest point. My main concern is whether or not I should lower the bars.
Yes. You should lower your bars. Take one spacer out at a time. When you do this you’ll need to push you saddle up so you don’t “feel” too “stretched out”.
OK. I’ll try lowering the stem and see. One person says flip the stem over, the other says lower one spacer at a time. Which one should I try first?
As for the astro-turf . . . wasn’t my decision. I’m still coming to terms with it. And yes, the hot tub gets christened after every ride and run. As far as hamstring flexability goes, I’m working on improving it, but they are brittle from injuries that go back to running track in high school. I’ve never had good stretching habits, and have been injury prone because of it. I’m working on it though.
“If I shorten the stem, my knees will hit my elbows when I’m riding out on the nose of the saddle”
Between 12 and 6 o’clock, what’s the shortest distance your knees come to the aerobars? Also, as others have said, there is plenty of room for you to improve your flexibility and ride lower. However, riding lower and being that stretched out cannot be too comfortable. That’s the reason I suggested a shorter & lower stem positioning.
As a married dude skilled in the art of cross-examination, I find it patently unbelievable that you disappear from the household for long runs and rides, only to jump in the tub and christen it each and every time. Unless you are only running and riding once per month, or are running your own batches, I would suggest to the married jury that your statements defy credibility!
As for the important stuff, tough to tell anything from the angle in the photo and the position of the pedals, but you do seem stretched out too far and way too high.
Query: Are sideburns back in style? I shaved mine off in 1992.
The angle of your camera is way off. It’s not centered. All you can really do is ballpark a position critique from a photo but even then the camera angle should be better. If you could redo this again and repost I’ll go and look for my protractor.
Christened means sex? I’m training for an ironman. I don’t have time for that kind of thing. In fact, it’s been so long, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Sideburns are not in style. Neither is an earring in the left ear. Both of which are passe and uncool (like me).
Back to topic. I’ve lowered the stem and raised the saddle a metric tad and it felt pretty good on the spinner. I’ll have to see how it feel on the road tomorrow. Any other suggestions?
I don’t have a mullet yet, but that is a pretty good suggestion. Mark Allen had one in '89. Maybe they’re good luck.
I’ll consider braiding the pit hair before shaving.
& next time you take pictures, take them exactly from the side, not at an angle.