An additional question, Ian. What are the negative repercussions should I choose to raise my pads higher than what you recommend, i.e. 30, 40, or 50mm? I understand it would make me slightly less aero, but I appreciate the importance of maximizing my time in the aero position, especially for IMAZ. I just don’t want to go too high and have it affect my hips, knees, or something else. I’m still a rookie with regards to fit stuff.
Thanks
Hi Ian, Thanks for doing this. I currently ride a 2014 Speed Concept, and am looking at getting the QR PR4 with Reynolds race wheels.
I’m 5’10" and 160 lbs.
The following are my specs from the Retul fit performed about a 2 years ago.
Arm Pad Stack: 693
Arm Pad Reach: 382
Arm Pad Drop: -67
Arm Pad Reach BB: 693
Saddle Height: 772
Saddle Setback: -17
Grip Reach: 748
Grip Drop: -37
Arm Pad to Grip Reach: 366
Grip Width: 105
Arm Pad Width: 214
Handlebar Stack: 638
I like my current fit. I have the flexibility to get lower (at least I use too) but I can’t stay there due to lower back issues. So my Retul settings really feel good.
Pad Stack 640
Pad Reach 440 to back of pad
Saddle Height 819
Thanks in advance.
.
Hi Ian,
Thank you very much for offering assistance! I had my fit in June and purchased a PR4 disc (size 54) based on a recommendation from the fitter. I had been riding a 2015 PR6 (also size 54) for a few years and love it, but was interested in upgrading to disc brakes. I also asked the bike shop to install Di2 on the PR4 to complete the upgrade. While doing some research on Slowtwitch, I became very interested in the AU stem and HSF aeria hydration. I consulted with the bike shop to ensure it would work with my fit, and he thought it would. The bike shop owner was awesome throughout the build process. After getting the bike and riding the PR4 for a few weeks, I did some measurements yesterday and discovered my stack, reach, and drop are each 5cm off. I didn’t notice because this is an entirely new fit position for me and more aggressive than my previous position on the PR6. While I love the AU stem, bar, and hydration, I’m not sure my fit can be accomplished with them since I don’t think adjustments can make it go any lower than it currently is. Based on my fit coordinates below, my three primary questions are:
Fit Coordinates on QR PR4 Disc (the first number is from the fitting, the second is where the bike is currently set):
Pad Reach (BB center to middle of elbow rest): 545 (currently 495)Pad Stack (BB center to middle of elbow rest, pad removed): 600 (currently 650)Aerobar drop (top of saddle to elbow rest, pad removed): 140 (currently 90)Cockpit (saddle tip to extension end): 870 (currently 870)Extension length (back of pad to extension end): 385 (currently 390, which feels good for where my elbows rest)Extension angle: 10 degrees (currently 10 degrees)Setback: saddle tip to BB center (-17). I didn’t measure this, but it seems more than 17 when I eyeball it).Seat height: 743 (currently 753 because I started feeling some knee pain, so raised it 1cm which has helped)Seat tube angle: 81 (seat is currently set back at about 77 in order to achieve proper cockpit length)Reach to pad (tip of saddle to center of rear elbow rest): 535 (currently 535)Pad width: 230 (currently at 210, which feels comfortable)Tip Width C-C: 85 (I don’t know what this is, so didn’t measure it)Crank Length: 160Equipment
Saddle - ISM PN 1.1 (same saddle I’ve been riding for several years). Also, some of the coordinates above are taken from the tip of this saddle, so they may be incorrect since it’s noseless)Stem: Aeria Ultimate 100mmBar/Pads: Aeria UltimateI am planning on selling one of the bikes, and your answer will help determine which one.Thank you for any help you can provide!
Greg
An additional question, Ian. What are the negative repercussions should I choose to raise my pads higher than what you recommend, i.e. 30, 40, or 50mm? I understand it would make me slightly less aero, but I appreciate the importance of maximizing my time in the aero position, especially for IMAZ. I just don’t want to go too high and have it affect my hips, knees, or something else. I’m still a rookie with regards to fit stuff.
weakandpuny, don’t go crazy on “the up”. There’s probably a place…5mm higher, 10mm higher were you’ll get all the relief you want/need and you won’t creep up into a place that starts to diminish performance. Sure, as you said, you get up in the wind and it just becomes kinda silly. Moreover, if you come up too high you start to loose some ability to produce power glute and hip flexor and you might even rotate yourself into a position where the saddle is no longer comfy. Take it step by step you’ll probably be surprised how a little step has a huge gain in comfort.
Ian
Hi Ian, Thanks for doing this…I’m 5’10" and 160 lbs.
The following are my specs…
Arm Pad Stack: 693, Arm Pad Reach: 382, Arm Pad Drop: -67, Arm Pad Reach BB: 693, Saddle Height: 772, Saddle Setback: -17
Grip Reach: 748, Grip Drop: -37, Arm Pad to Grip Reach: 366, Grip Width: 105, Arm Pad Width: 214, Handlebar Stack: 638
musicman,
Something seems funky in these numbers to me and I want to double check before I prescribe the right PR4 for you. “Arm Pad Stack at 693” - seems possible. I would have guessed something closer to 577 but based on your pad drop and seat height this seems plausible.
“Arm Pad Reach: 382” and then “Arm Pad Reach BB: 693”. This is the part that’s got me confused, especially if your saddle set back is -17. I’m just hoping beyond hope that one of these numbers is a typo. Can you confirm and get back to me?
Ian
Pad Stack 640
Pad Reach 440 to back of pad
Saddle Height 819
Thanks in advance.
EP,
If you’re after the PR4 or PR5 then… it’s a 54cm with a 90mm stem, zero spacers under the stem and .5mm of aerobar pedestal with arm cups 1 hold forward of all-the-way-back.
If you’re after the PR6 then…it’s a 54cm with the 75mm stem and the stem bar clamp set in the low position + 20mm of arm pad pedestal. Use the front arm cup hole and orient the arm bracket forward.
Ian
Thanks Ian. I’ll keep you posted.
Your target position can be fairly closely matched on the 54 PR4
(PR4 is same geo as PR5, I just haven’t added it as a separate name in my database yet)
5mm steerer spacer means one of these with no other spacers: https://speedandcomfort.com/collections/top-caps/products/copy-of-5mm-top-cap
Pad Row 11 means the 2nd most forward config
No need to worry about pad col as you’re happy with width
Note that I modified your Pad XY to be to the rear of the pad
Basically you need the bars fully slammed and nearly all the way forward. You’ll likely need new extensions if your bars came with T4C (definitely if they were cut) as the new generation ones are longer, a 400mm extension gives a max length of 376 (on x axis, so will be fine on diagonal).
Thank you, cyclenutz! I appreciate your help. The 400mm bar extenders makes sense to achieve the proper reach. I’m still not sure how I can lower the stack from 650 to 600. The current top cap appears to be 15mm (photo attached), so a new 5mm cap will lower the stack to 640mm. There are currently no spacers on the bars (photo attached), so it seems to be as slammed as it can go. I’m not sure how to achieve the final 40mm in drop with the AU bars. Thank you again for any assistance.
Greg
. There are currently no spacers on the bars (photo attached), so it seems to be as slammed as it can go. I’m not sure how to achieve the final 40mm in drop with the AU bars. Thank you again for any assistance.
At this point I’m going to suggest that you remeasure the Pad Y. The only way I can see that setup being at 650 is if the frame isn’t a 54.
Greg,
Couple of things…
It’ll look like this and you’ll gain ~10mm:
Keep us posted, Ian
Yes, that was it. My measurements were way off. Thanks again!
Thank you, Ian. My poor measurement skills were to blame! It’s where it needs to be.
Hi Ian,
I’m interested in the PRSix Disc. I’m 33 male and 6ft. My last Retul fit was in 2015, so I plan to get another in early 2020. I am a much stronger cyclist now. My next bike needs to fit a more aggressive position. I have been doing tri’s for over 10 years and just cracked the top 10 of my AG in my last IM. Hoping for a AG podium in the coming years.
Saddle height: 812mm
Handlebar reach: 505mm
Handlebar drop: -124mm
saddle setback: -24mm
armpad reach: 436mm
armpad drop: -68mm
armpad sack: 725mm
armpad reach: 412mm
Thanks for the help!
Hi Ian
Height 186cm
Inseam 87cm
Saddle height 779mm
Looking for best bang for buck option
flight<bird,
Don’t know how I missed this. Terribly sorry.
I’m thinking your Pad Stack is ~651 and your Pad X is ~502. Now, let’s take into account your desire for best bang for the buck. For me (fit snob) position is job one so we’ve got to nail that! We’re going with rim brake to save a few doubloon and the groupo…well, that’s up to you. What’s nice about this prescription is that it applies to both the PRfive and the PRfour so you can choose.
Size 54 with the 110 stem, 10mm of spacer under stem and 5mm aerobar pedestal, use the 3rd from back bolt holes in the arm cups and screw them into the forward holes on the mounting bracket.
Let me know if you have more questions. Ian
Hello Ian,
Thanks so much for your help! I’ve been looking at the PRfour, do you know anyone in the Houston area who can help me out?
Thanks!
Hello Ian,
Thanks so much for your help! I’ve been looking at the PRfour, do you know anyone in the Houston area who can help me out?
Thanks!
jgills,
Help out with purchase? It’s probably Philip at Shama Cycles.
Help out with fit before you buy? That could be Philip too (waiting to hear back). I’m willing to help and can get pretty darn close with some info…
Do you have a tri bike now that fits well and if so - I want the Pad Stack and Pad Reach off of that (I can tell you how to measure at home).
Do you have a road bike at home now that fits well and if so - I want the seat height and your height and your inseam and let me work with that.
Let me know, Ian
I’m looking for help with a fit before I buy, but also purchasing if it works out and I like the bike. I do not have currently have a tri bike, I’ve done a couple longer events on road bike but I never had a proper fit performed with it. I don’t necessarily know if the setup I have is the best fit, but I haven’t had an issues on long rides. I’ll give Shama a call and see if I can get in touch with Philip. I’m 5’-8.5" with a 30" inseam (I’ll have to shoot over the seat height when I get home later).
Thanks again!
John
Hi Ian. I’m considering a PRfour Disc within the next several months. The default table seems to suggest a 54 or 56. My measurements are:
Overall Height (cm) 181.2
Inseam (cm) 88.5
Torso Length (cm) 59.0
Overall Arm Length (cm) 187.0
Shoulder Width (cm) 41.5
Much appreciated!