Handle bar stem length and saddle height

Schecter01 · 19-03-2015 11:49PM #1

I had a full bike fit done, but after a good few miles im finding out a few bits, first one, my arms are fully extended and I'm finding myself wanting to rest my hands on the horizontals more as I find it a bit of a stretch on the tops, and i find the drops quite a stretch too, would working on flexibility fix this or should i get the handlebar stem shortened? I've noticed my reach changes with saddle height too, is it higher the saddle the shorter the arm reach?

Mercian Pro · 21-03-2015 11:25PM

Not sure who did the bike fit for you but they would be my first port of call for questions like this.

Jim Stynes · 21-03-2015 11:33PM

I had a bike fit done with computer recently. I am not more 'stretched out' as well and it is a more aggressive race type position. However, I find it much more comfortable and takes stress off the back of my neck. Take a note of all the things that are bothering you and go back to them. Make sure you give the new position a chance though.

Schecter01 · 22-03-2015 12:45AM

I rang them and they gave me a 'textbook' bike fit and that after time I may prefer different geometry according to riding style, I lower the seat 2cm and it's less pressure on my back and my reach is much better

WillyFXP · 22-03-2015 01:26AM

Schecter01 wrote: »

I rang them and they gave me a 'textbook' bike fit and that after time I may prefer different geometry according to riding style, I lower the seat 2cm and it's less pressure on my back and my reach is much better

Riding style and geometry are the main parts of a bikefit, unless your bike is way off in sizing then they should have fitted the bike to you, that's the whole point of it.

Schecter01 · 22-03-2015 12:30PM

That's what I thought, they were fairly thorough in measurements,I'll go back down to them.

wersal gummage · 22-03-2015 03:24PM

I had a bike fit a few years ago. The chap recommended quite a few changes. He gave me the set up that I needed but told me to slowly make the changes in small increments. I think it was about two months in total before I ended up in the new bike fit recommended set up.

Maybe you've made a lot of aggressive changes too quickly?

I remember having to raise my saddle in 5mm increments each week for 8 weeks. You've gone and moved it 2 cm or so in one go.

chuck eastwood · 22-03-2015 11:55PM

Hi guys I just happened to see this post and only this week I had thought about selling my bike. Its a 58cm trek Alpha 2.1 but I'm only 5'9. Its a bike I bought off my brother in law for half what its worth but he's 6 foot. It does feel ok to ride with everything shortened.
When I bring it in to be serviced the guys in the shop keep telling me its far to big for me but I know they are driving for bike sales. Could you recommend anywhere I could call in to have a fitting done. I'm reasonably new to cycling and word of mouth on good stores would be a great help. Thanks in advance, Chuck would

WillyFXP · 23-03-2015 01:00AM

chuck eastwood wrote: »

Hi guys I just happened to see this post and only this week I had thought about selling my bike. Its a 58cm trek Alpha 2.1 but I'm only 5'9. Its a bike I bought off my brother in law for half what its worth but he's 6 foot. It does feel ok to ride with everything shortened.
When I bring it in to be serviced the guys in the shop keep telling me its far to big for me but I know they are driving for bike sales. Could you recommend anywhere I could call in to have a fitting done. I'm reasonably new to cycling and word of mouth on good stores would be a great help. Thanks in advance, Chuck would

They are correct, the bike is far too big for you.

chuck eastwood · 23-03-2015 01:07AM

Yeah I kinda knew it when I bought the bike but I got it at such a good price I would have been mad not to take it even with the intention of selling it on. Now to try and find a new bike, ugh. Relatively clueless when it comes to road bikes

Handle bar stem length and saddle height

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