Hey guys, I think I need to work on my bike position. Right now I’m riding a 54cm frame, and I’m 5’ 8". Coach and I are going to work on it later to day hopefully, and he is FIST certified. I just wanted to get some opinions from you guys. Looking at this pic, which is pretty standard, I think I need to take the spacer out from under my bars and possibly shorten the stem. The saddle is as forward now as it will go. I like to ride on the nose of the saddle, but I need to be able to move back if necessary for longer rides. I have no problems now staying aero, but will get some junk numbness after about 40 miles. Thanks!
I am no expert, take this with reservation.
The picture is not great, recently people have been providing links with videos that give better picture, also frontal position is very important.
Now looking at the picture, I think you need an entire fit from scratch. Start with cleat position. Your saddle appears low, your aerobars high. If you to drop it lower you will further stretch out causing support issues.
I am 5’9" and 54cm Felt would be too long for me. I have a short torso. Going with a shorter stem for you may only be obscuring the frame size/fit problem that you may have. Check that with your coach. Shortening the cockpit is step in the wright directon in terms of comfort and support. Good luck. As I said I am no expert.
What did you coach say? If he’s FIST certified, he should be able to fix you up.
Obviously, you could be a lot lower than in the position pictured, but from that angle it’s difficult to say whether your seat is too low or your cockpit is too high, or both. All of that will affect your reach, so it’d be hard to answer you about a shorter stem.
We worked on it a little last night. His computrainer is on the fritz, so we went ahead and took out the spacer below the bars and raised the seat about a CM, which is all I have room for. I felt lower in the front without sacrificing any handling. I have spacers under my elbow pads as well. I’m going to take those out today and move my elbows a little closer.
Can the seatpost be swapped to get the saddle more forward? I don’t think YOU need to be more forward, but if that seat could come forward under you it might be more comfortable.
Your seat is too low, at least where you are sitting in the photo…if you slid back on that seat it may not be.
Yes, lower your front end dramatically.
You are not too stretched out unless you slide yourself back on the seat, but where you are position there, it doesn’t look stretched.