Ajusting handlebar height

[irishceltie]

I've just bought my first road bike. I've been riding a hybrid claud butler urban 300 size 62 cm for the past two years. My local bike shop told me for my new bike ( Giant defy2) i would require a large which is 55.5 cm. I'm 6'1. i've so far only gone a short distance but i think the handle bars are too low however i dont see a way of rising them? Or maybe my seat is too high? Or maybe i'm just too used to my hybrid? I dont know but something does'nt seem right.

 

[BIGSESAL]

The first ride on a road bike is always the hardest. I would think that lowering the saddle may be the easiest solution. Are your hands on the drops or the hoods? If you really think that there is something wrong you should take it back to the shop and they will make adjustments for free.

 

[montage]

55.5cm seems a little on the small side if you are 6'1 ....

I am 6'2 and I use a 58.... but my ideal frame size would be 61.3cm. I know not everybody the same hight uses the same sized frame....but still..

 

[BIGSESAL]

55.5cm seems a little on the small side if you are 6'1 ....

I am 6'2 and I use a 58.... but my ideal frame size would be 61.3cm. I know not everybody the same hight uses the same sized frame....but still..

I almost bought a Giant SCR last year. I know that Giant bikes usually have a different sixing guide than other manufacturers.

 

[Randochap]

You can't just "lower the saddle" if your bars feel low. Saddle height is a constant and should be set up according to your leg length.

It does sound like you've been sold a bike that's too small for you. Therefore, when your saddle is set to correct height (assuming it is), it throws you forward onto the bars -- which are too low in relation.

The other issue is most off-the-peg road bikes have the stem right down on the headtube, because the fork steerer has been cut right down, either at the factory or at assembly. This isn't comfortable for the average recreational cyclist. The option, once the steerer has been cut, is either a replacement fork, or a riser stem.

Look around the forum for the discussions on bike fit, or there's a brief explanation at the end of this page.

 

[Sittingduck]

Leave the saddle height as setup and go for a few more rides. I started riding a road bike over recent weeks and after about a week or so what had originally seemed to be insanely low down bar postition now seems more normal. You will soon get used to it. The other option is of course flipping the stem over or getting one with a higher rise angle.

Stick with it a while... It'll will soon feel more natural after the upright experience of riding your hybrid all this time

 

[xpc316e]

I'd go back to the shop and tell them about it now - if you go on a few rides, you are deemed to have accepted the bike and it is then virtually impossible to get your money back.

 

[punkypossum]

The Giant sizing is weird tho - I'm 6 foot, tried the large (55) Defy and it was enormous! Even the medium large was too big, I needed a medium (50), but that meant my bum was way too high! Gave up in the end as I just did not get on with the geometry...

How low are your handlebars compared to the saddle?

 

[irishceltie]

Leave the saddle height as setup and go for a few more rides. I started riding a road bike over recent weeks and after about a week or so what had originally seemed to be insanely low down bar postition now seems more normal. You will soon get used to it. The other option is of course flipping the stem over or getting one with a higher rise angle.

Stick with it a while... It'll will soon feel more natural after the upright experience of riding your hybrid all this time

I think you've hit the nail on the head there mate. Took her for a good spin yesterday(20 miles) and it felt fine. Went like a dream in fact. Felt every bump mind you. Still the more i ride it the sooner i'll get used to the new positions.

 

[Sittingduck]

Glad to hear it... you will soon be racking-up the 50 milers!