Handlebar height for new Bike

wannabecraig · 07-04-2013 9:53am #1

Some advice please guys.

I got a new SPECIALIZED ALLEZ SPORT 2013 last week, which I'm very happy with. Problem is that I think the handlebars might be too low. Is there a general rule re' handle bar height? My neck hurts when I cycle it, I dont remember that being the case for my last bike.

I was told that the handlebars should be same height as saddly but they don't go that high, they're already at the top of the stem.

I'm not tall, 5.7" and it's a 54 frame.

smacl · 07-04-2013 10:58am

You can get different stem angles to bring handlebars up or down, or even adjustable. You can also have spacers on the headset, but I'm guessing you've reached the limit there already.

Could be worth having someone more experienced look at your position on the bike and advise you, or if you have a few bob spare, get a bike fit.

Wishbone Ash · 07-04-2013 11:41am

wannabecraig wrote: »

I was told that the handlebars should be same height as saddly

I would always have the top bar about 5cm below the saddle height. I'd find any higher to be awkward.

Have you given it a bit of time? A new bike can feel awkward for the first few spins. What way was your old bike set up?

reallyunique · 07-04-2013 11:59am

I'm on a frame that's miles too small and the drop to the bars gives me a pain in the neck (still suffering from yesterday's ride today). If you're racing then a decent drop of say 5cm below the saddle is appropriate and you may just have to put up with the pain for a while and see of your muscles get used to it.
If you're touring or commuting and don't need the extra few seconds gained from the deeper drop then a stem change might help.
Unless you're an odd bod then the 54 frame should be appropriate for your height but getting a bike fit seems like a good idea if you have the cash.

AIR-AUSSIE · 07-04-2013 12:39pm

Follow the steps in this online fitter and it will give the recommended bike sizing for your frame:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Darkglasses · 07-04-2013 12:43pm

http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2010/04/science-of-bike-fitting/

Extremely accurate guide.

(Trolololol)

AltAccount · 07-04-2013 12:56pm

Can you post a pic of you on the bike?

wannabecraig · 07-04-2013 4:02pm

So the saddle was a tad to high, dropped it about 2-3 inches and they went and did 15k.
Neck not as bad but still sore. I should add that I have back and neck issues anyway but they were never aggravated on the old bike.

I'll probably look at getting a fitting done, where and how much am I looking at?

No photo of before I adjusted the seat height.

This is it now.

slap/dash · 07-04-2013 4:07pm

that frame looks way small. one thing that looks like it might help is the stem. it looks like very little angle on it. is it a 6 degree?

DirkVoodoo · 07-04-2013 4:07pm

wannabecraig wrote: »

So the saddle was a tad to high, dropped it about 2-3 inches...

....I'll probably look at getting a fitting done...

I would strongly recommend this. It sounds like you are on the fast track to doing yourself an injury. A poorly setup bike could create long term problems.

Either having your saddle so high or dropping it so much would really worry me. 2-3 inches is an awful lot, most people wouldn't be able to pedal properly if their saddle was that far off.

BikefittingIreland, IrishBikeFit, etc. are a few specialist fitters.

Paul Kiernan · 07-04-2013 4:14pm

wannabecraig wrote: »

So the saddle was a tad to high, dropped it about 2-3 inches

"a tad", "2-3 inches" - that's a significant contradiction in terms. A tad might be 2-3mm:). Seriously, if you could even reach the pedals in the first picture then the saddle is almost certainly too low now. I'd concentrate on getting the saddle height right first and then worry about the bar position.

BTW, it looks like your stem can be flipped over to raise the bars an inch or so. Be careful if doing this to preload the headset before tightening the stem on the steerer.

Edit - Wow, it took me more than 7 minutes to type that!

slap/dash · 07-04-2013 4:14pm

wannabecraig wrote: »

So the saddle was a tad to high, dropped it about 2-3 inches and they went and did 15k.
Neck not as bad but still sore. I should add that I have back and neck issues anyway but they were never aggravated on the old bike.

I'll probably look at getting a fitting done, where and how much am I looking at?

No photo of before I adjusted the seat height.

This is it now.

ah different photo than before. that doesn't look at all strange. in fact, the bars might even be a bit high

slap/dash · 07-04-2013 4:17pm

+1 on the saddle issue, and getting someone to help with a fit

wannabecraig · 07-04-2013 4:29pm

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

"a tad", "2-3 inches" - that's a significant contradiction in terms. A tad might be 2-3mm:). Seriously, if you could even reach the pedals in the first picture then the saddle is almost certainly too low now. I'd concentrate on getting the saddle height right first and then worry about the bar position.

BTW, it looks like your stem can be flipped over to raise the bars an inch or so. Be careful if doing this to preload the headset before tightening the stem on the steerer.

Edit - Wow, it took me more than 7 minutes to type that!

Sorry, first pic (now removed) was when I got it from the shop, I'd since lowered the saddle.
And yeah, ny neck is not really bad at all not, so I'll just have to keep working with current height and get a fitting done.

wannabecraig · 07-04-2013 4:31pm

slap/dash wrote: »

that frame looks way small. one thing that looks like it might help is the stem. it looks like very little angle on it. is it a 6 degree?

I think the guy in the shop mentioned that it was, yes.

C3PO · 07-04-2013 4:59pm

wannabecraig wrote: »

I was told that the handlebars should be same height as saddle

I got a bike fit done by Aidan Hammond a while ago and, I've just checked the print-out, for me he recommended that the top of the saddle should be 8.5cms above the top of the bars.

This measurement would depend on torso length, flexibility and also core strength (and probably a few other things as well

). He was extremely thorough about measuring all these things! I would also suggest a bike fit from a reputable source.

AltAccount · 07-04-2013 8:30pm

wannabecraig wrote: »

Sorry, first pic (now removed) was when I got it from the shop, I'd since lowered the saddle.
And yeah, ny neck is not really bad at all not, so I'll just have to keep working with current height and get a fitting done.

Any pic of you on the bike? Then we could see knee bend, saddle fore/aft, how stretched you are etc.

When taking pic have the pedal nearest the camera at the bottom of the stoke.

wannabecraig · 08-04-2013 10:19am

ok, I'll do this tonight, I'm a single parent so my daughter's photo taken skills are going to have to improve quickly.

Cycled into work today and neck not too bad at all, nothing like it was before I lowered the saddle.

Dotsie~tmp · 08-04-2013 5:08pm

You dont need a fitting to get the saddle height perfect. Online videos can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJwltZ3ECQ0

As for the bars I found that I just didnt have the flexibility to get down low even though my bike has a comfy geometry already. So I flipped the stem which had a 7 degree down slope to up.

I might even shorten the stem to 100mm to make it even comfier. Im sure some would say its not right or racey enough but it feels good on long cycles. If I gain flexibility I will start moving the spacers from under to over the stem to drop down.

wannabecraig · 11-04-2013 3:30pm

Sorry for late reply, Ive been away. I'll have a look at that vid over the weekend.
Since I lowered that saddle, what you guys have said seems right, I dropped it too much,
cause legs seem cramped now. I'll get into it over w'end and get back to you ITT.

also, when I first measured the saddle height I didnt have shoes on, no cleats, which obv make a difference.

Handlebar height for new Bike

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