Figuring out reach on a drop bar bike

barrymanilow

Hi all,

Stem experimenting is an expensive business so Just wondering if anyone has a good technique for finding ballpark comfortable reach for a bike with a drop bar . I've got the saddle in a good position using the plumb line from the knee method and the height is set well too but I'm not sure about stem length .Not looking for an all out racing position , something a little more relaxed than that for long cycles .

07Lapierre

A quick "google" and...

http://www.argonautcyclecoaching.com/?p=bike-fit-calculator

hesker

Most modern stems can be flipped to give a shorter reach position so you shouldn't have to get it exact.

Why don't you try out a bike or 2 at a shop. Seat height doesn't have to be spot on. Bring along a tape measure & measure length from top of seat tube to the handlebar flats.

For me it's immediately apparent when the reach is too much.

hesker

Most modern stems can be flipped to give a shorter reach position so you shouldn't have to get it exact.

Why don't you try out a bike or 2 at a shop. Seat height doesn't have to be spot on. Bring along a tape measure & measure length from top of seat tube to the handlebar flats.

For me it's immediately apparent when the reach is too much.

barrymanilow

hesker wrote: »

Most modern stems can be flipped to give a shorter reach position so you shouldn't have to get it exact.

Why don't you try out a bike or 2 at a shop. Seat height doesn't have to be spot on. Bring along a tape measure & measure length from top of seat tube to the handlebar flats.

For me it's immediately apparent when the reach is too much.

I don't like going into bike shops and trying their bikes for size when i'm not buying . Ive done it before and got very bad vibes .

hesker

barrymanilow wrote: »

I don't like going into bike shops and trying their bikes for size when i'm not buying . Ive done it before and got very bad vibes .

Sorry, I thought you already had the bike and would be only looking to buy a stem.

If you can't try other bikes then best get a bike fit done. Some of them may have adjustable reach stems for this purpose.

smacl

hesker wrote: »

If you can't try other bikes then best get a bike fit done. Some of them may have adjustable reach stems for this purpose.

Adjustable stems, at least the one I had, was more about adjusting height than reach. Same goes for flipping the stem.

@barrymanilow, I think I still have the adjustable one knocking around somewhere. Welcome to borrow it, if I can figure out where I've stashed it. I think its 130mm length and -20 to +20 in angle.

outfox

One technique some people use to assess stem length is this:
Sit on the bike. Go down on the drops. The front wheel hub should be hidden from view by the handlebar.

Brian?

outfox wrote: »

One technique some people use to assess stem length is this:
Sit on the bike. Go down on the drops. The front wheel hub should be hidden from view by the handlebar.

Exactly this.