stem lenght help please

[e-rider]

Assuming your saddle is correctly positioned... I would suggest sitting with hands on the hoods and looking down at the top of the bars. The front hub should be obscured by the top of the bars. Obviously this is only a guideline and I would say trial and error is the best way, until you find a comfortable setup.

this method works quite well for general road riding but if you are racing, very flexible, or riding on the drops a lot, you will be better off with a longer stem than this method would indicate.

 

[e-rider]

I need to sort out my saddle, its a charge spoon. I do tend to move about on it and go forward a lot when I need to climb hills etc. Also I tend to have it around 5' up, which I am not sure is terribly correct, but it is comfortable.

I also may have to acknowledge that I am just not cut out for a racing bike, even though this is supposed to be comfortable - a genesis equilibrium

try making the bars higher by flipping the stem up the other way - perhaps the bars are just too low for you? Also ride with the saddle flat until you get the bars sorted

 

[samsbike]

How long have you had the bike?

Since April this year. Its taken me this long just to get the seat height and fore aft position right.

I am been cycling despite shoulder and knee pain. I changed stems from 110, to 120 and now to 100.

I did put the hoods at a less upright position but just could not get comfortable this morning and had to lift them up again. So the drops are pointing more towards the ground. If you look at the bike sideways it does look weird. I will try and post a pic when it drier.

I wonder if I just have the wrong type of bike. My current drop to bars is around 3.5inches.

I have

 

[Sittingduck]

this method works quite well for general road riding but if you are racing, very flexible, or riding on the drops a lot, you will be better off with a longer stem than this method would indicate.

Oh well. It works for me and I ride on the drops a fair bit and wouldn't say I'm particularly flexible.

 

[MisterStan]

I did put the hoods at a less upright position but just could not get comfortable this morning and had to lift them up again.

Whenever i've changed the bar position, i.e. rolled the drops, flipped the stem, slammed the stem, i've always given it a few days as you will always notice a difference and it may take some getting used to...

 

[Banjo]

Sam if I can make a suggestion get a side on photo of you sat on the bike with the pedal nearest the camera at 6 oclock and your hands on the hoods as if you were riding. Post it on here are there is a wealth of knowledge available to you but its difficult to make informed advice just from text. Even better put up a video of yourself riding past the camera a few times.

As a starting point put the bars as described by Robe3t and the seat flat your knee should be just slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke if the seat is at correct height.
A picture paints a thousand words

 

[Deleted member 1258]

but please do NOT use the elbow on nose of saddle to fingertip method! That is not an approximation, it is a lottery.

Thats what I found out when I posted on here about it, It works perfectly for me, I've been using it for years, but not for a lot of other people. I guess that just shows that we are all different.

 

[Rob3rt]

Thats what I found out when I posted on here about it, It works perfectly for me, I've been using it for years, but not for a lot of other people. I guess that just shows that we are all different.

Well it only takes into account 1 part of your anatomy, i.e. forearm length (inc hand and fingers), at least the eyeballing the hub approximation takes into account the whole upper torso, including your preferred "pose" on the bike I guess.

 

[samsbike]

I will take a pic later, however, I figured out this saddle height and seat fore aft adjustment.

I was struggling as I put the seat up, but could only ride with dropping my heels. I have now moved my seat back a bit and and raised it, its much better.

I do find myself moving back and forth and I suspect that I pull myself forward to get on the hoods and then push back. I am now riding a bit away from the hoods on the curve of the bar as its more comfortable.

 

[samsbike]

Pics of me on the bike with the new stem.

Any advice appreciated

 

[black'n'yellow]

To me, the reach looks very short and position very upright - but bike fit is very personal and as long as it suits you then there is no issue....

 

[tincaman]

I would say the saddle needs to go up. Place your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, your leg should be straight, adjust the saddle height until it is then send the pics again.

 

[black'n'yellow]

saddle height in pic 2 looks fine to me.

 

[Banjo]

Saddle height looks reasonable to me,if it does need to go up I would say only a quarter of an inch or so. I think the OP needs to do some mileage on it now and see how it goes. Good Luck Sam hope you start feeling more at home on the bike.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The Saddle height looks fine to me, the problem seems to be in the front end IMHO. When your on the bike and look down at the bars can you see the front hub and if so is it behind the bars or in front of the bars, or is it hidden by the bars? (and if so by how much)