Handlebar height

[Markymark]

So, 2nd proper ride on my new road bike. First time the saddle was too low. Comfortable ride but didn't feel I was getting full force on pedalling.

So, I raised the saddle (I think just a little too high) by around 3cm. However, I then found the ride quite uncomfortable. My arms ached, back a little stiff and (euphemism alert!), got some squashed plumbs! I am guessing that I should have raised the handle bars too as I felt I was falling forwards and was a bit outstretched. I have been reading up on it and everywhere talks about finding it ‘comfortable’.

The trouble is I’ve done 5,000 miles commuting on my hybrid in London so my comfortable is being far more upright. This is, I’m sure, not the best position for a road bike. My difficulty is find a position that is comfortable, but also acknowledging that it is a different bike with a different position that requires some getting used to it.

I am 6’1”. Roughly, how much higher should my saddle be to the handle bars for a typical position? Any other advice?

 

[rbreid]

If you have the stem length, level with saddle is a good starting point and lower from there a little at a time till you feel right. Bear in mind that there are other factors to bring to bear that are linked, seat fore and aft, stem length, hoods position either by rotating bars or moving levers. Can take a little while to get just right. Is why I had a sizing rig in my shop, took all the guesswork out. Also commuting or touring would be higher than for out and out racing. It will take time to adapt after so many miles on your other bike.
Good luck and hope you get it sorted

 

[Koga]

I can't really comment on the height of the steering wheel, but I can provide some general feedback, from my own experience.
First of all, it will take a few rides before you will get to used the new position on the bike.
Secondly the saddle can also be moved forward (or backward), the idea is that your knee is above your pedal when you are halfway down with the pedal (search on youtube for bike fitting).
Thirdly the saddle can also be tipped up or down, adjusting this should also provide you with more comfort!
Good luck

 

[Kies]

As above, don't move the saddle to far forward, just so you can feel comfortable. Better to have your knee directly over the pedal at the horizontal (look after your knees). If the handlebars are too low, you could flip the stem over which will help bring them up slightly. If that doesn't work, go with bike to an lbs. they make suggest a shorter stem, or one with a bigger angle to it. Hard to say anymore without seeing you on the bike.

 

[John Shingler]

Thirdly the saddle can also be tipped up or down, adjusting this should also provide you with more comfort!

Isn't that a breach of Rule #48?

 

[Koga]

Isn't that a breach of Rule #48?

Never seen it, looks good, I will read in more detail later.
To answer your question, maybe it is in breach, maybe it is not. We do not know in what position the saddle is at the moment and rule #48 states some non level is permitted !

 

[Rob3rt]

This is so individual it can't really be answered. Pics might help.

People like @400bhp have commented my saddle to bar drop looks a lot. It is a fair bit, but then I have long arms and legs and a short torso, so ride a short frame with a large drop.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks all, as always, plenty of good advice.

I'll rasie the handle bars to just below the sadlle and get the saddle right for the knee alignment. If it's still not right, I'll get soem pics posted.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

This is so individual it can't really be answered. Pics might help.

People like @400bhp have commented my saddle to bar drop looks a lot. It is a fair bit, but then I have long arms and legs and a short torso, so ride a short frame with a large drop.

Indeed, I ride with a lot of seatpost and a substantial drop too

 

[Dusty Bin]

I am 6’1”. Roughly, how much higher should my saddle be to the handle bars for a typical position? Any other advice?

No such thing as a 'typical' position, unfortunately. Just find what is comfortable through trial and error. Convention for 'performance' cyclists is to have a flat back when on the drops - but there's all kinds of reasons why a position like that might not be practical on a commute, or immediately achievable for someone new to road biking.

 

[biggs682]

i normally have a 3" drop from saddle to bars and adjust as need be but i use that as a starting point , along with when looking forward and down from std position should not be able to see front wheel spindle with the correct length stem fitted

 

[400bhp]

This is so individual it can't really be answered. Pics might help.

People like @400bhp have commented my saddle to bar drop looks a lot. It is a fair bit, but then I have long arms and legs and a short torso, so ride a short frame with a large drop.

Yeah, another bloody beanpole.

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 2749612, member: 30090"]What's your ape index?[/quote]

No idea what that is I'm afraid?

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 2749638, member: 30090"]It's the ratio of your arm span to your height.[/quote]
Just googled and measured!
1.03

 

[youngoldbloke]

i normally have a 3" drop from saddle to bars and adjust as need be but i use that as a starting point , along with when looking forward and down from std position should not be able to see front wheel spindle with the correct length stem fitted

- is this when you are riding with hands on hoods, tops, or drops? It seems this means different things to different people.