Lowering the stem and adjusting the bars.

[Stevec047]

Having been riding for over 6 months I have found that my body has changed greatly.

It is only now that I have noticed I have spacers on the stem and am currently using all three spacers below the stem and the bars angled up in a more relaxed position.

This position means I rarely use the drops due to the positions and find it difficult to tuck in on fast sections of road.

So the question is should I drop the stem down and add the remaining spacer to the tip and at the same time rotate the bars so the drops are sitting level but then I would be leaning over the hoods more?

 

[vickster]

Try it and see?

 

[the snail]

With modern bars you usually set them so that the top is level, but as above, experiment and see what works for you.

 

[Stevec047]

Thanks I shall have a play whilst the bike is on the trainer just to see how I fit and then see where to go from there.

 

[bonsaibilly]

A little bit at a time though. You can do yourself damage by too much of a change in one go.

BB

 

[Sharky]

Have you tried "Compact Bars", something like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CJn-6qKDrM0CFcG6Gwodw6INOQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
Read some of the reviews

If you find the switch from riding on the hoods to the dropped position a bit too severe, these might help.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Having been riding for over 6 months I have found that my body has changed greatly.

It is only now that I have noticed I have spacers on the stem and am currently using all three spacers below the stem and the bars angled up in a more relaxed position.

This position means I rarely use the drops due to the positions and find it difficult to tuck in on fast sections of road.

So the question is should I drop the stem down and add the remaining spacer to the tip and at the same time rotate the bars so the drops are sitting level but then I would be leaning over the hoods more?

You are contradicting yourself.

If you find the bars too high, you should find it easy to go on the drops, not difficult.

 

[jonny jeez]

Thanks I shall have a play whilst the bike is on the trainer just to see how I fit and then see where to go from there.

Are you happy that you know how to loosen, remove, replace and tighten everything...its straightforward but not how it used to be in the old days (you don't need a hammer!).

if so, play away and find that perfect position. glad to see you are getting more and more into the whole thing, soon you'll be shopping for new rims!

PS, I have my headset "slammed" (is that the correct word?) right down now with no spacers and even though i'm a big fella, I like the position.

 

[GuyBoden]

I found this guide from Bikeradar "How to adjust handlebar height" very helpful for modern bikes.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-adjust-handlebar-height-38622/

(Reading the info about each step on their web page is very informative.)

 

[bonsaibilly]

You are contradicting yourself.

If you find the bars too high, you should find it easy to go on the drops, not difficult.

I read it as he finds the drops not low enough, hence why he considers lowering the whole setup..? BB

 

[cyberknight]

I would flip the stem 1st and work down the spacers one at a time as you get used to it .

 

[bonsaibilly]

I would flip the stem 1st and work down the spacers one at a time as you get used to it .

Because?

BB

 

[cyberknight]

Because?

BB

Major changes in set up can lead to bike fit issues , if the OP lowers his position to quickly then it could cause issues, it would be easier to lower it a little bit over a number of rides.

 

[derrick]

One spacer at a time, Only ever make small adjustments.

 

[bonsaibilly]

Major changes in set up can lead to bike fit issues , if the OP lowers his position to quickly then it could cause issues, it would be easier to lower it a little bit over a number of rides.

Agreed, and I would assume that on a road bike the swapping of one spacer at a time would create less of a change than flipping the stem..?

BB