Two issues with going drop bar....

[martint235]

Do you need to use the drops? I'm, 6'6" and am perfectly comfortable on my 58cms bikes (both with the seat post as high as it can go and 130mm stems) but I never actually use the drops, I'm not a flat out racer and I can get the bike comfortably over 30mph whilst on the hoods.

The symptoms you describe are exactly why I don't use the drops, it feels like my knees are hitting my chest etc. I could have a bike fit but as the bikes are comfortable to ride for mega distances, I'd be risking that comfort.

 

[siadwell]

Do you need to use the drops?

Was just about to say the same. I rarely use the drops and you can get quite aero on the hoods without feeling all squashed up.

http://road.cc/content/news/133598-want-ride-faster-hunker-down-hoods

 

[Mr Celine]

I'm also 183cm and have been riding a 58cm Roubaix for six years. Initially I found I was too stretched and got a sore neck on rides over two hours. I changed the stem for a slightly shorter one (100mm) after six months and have had no problems since.

I'm puzzled that you run a lot of seatpost as you are at the lower end of the height range for a 58cm Roubaix. If you need to raise the saddle due to having long legs for your height the reach would then be too great, but you're suggesting the opposite.

 

[Globalti]

OP have you tried the standard seat height test of sitting on the saddle and allowing your heel to brush the pedal at the bottom of its stroke, with your leg hanging relaxed? If you are having to stretch, the saddle is too high.

 

[bonsaibilly]

I would give it a little more time the reach in the drops you could adjust with an extra 5-10mm on a new stem. The reach on Shimano levers is silly, I have small hands and I struggle with it.

Morning all, I have recently gone down the drop bar route with a Specialized Roubaix carbon disc machine.

I am confident I have the right size in a 58cm, I'm 183cm with a 94cm inside leg according to Evans. The next size up being a 61cm.

One issue is that although perfectly comfortable on the hoods when I get into the drops I feel a little scrunched up as if being in the drops is a shorter reach than being on the hoods. It also feels a little short of space in the pedal stroke (feeling in the legs), again this could just be getting used to working the muscles slightly differently.
It may be that I just need to get used to the riding position as it's 20 years since my last drop bar bike.

The other issue again whilst in the drops, I have to stretch my fingers out fully and can only just get minimal purchase on the front facing surface of the brake levers. This is with the reach adjusted inwards to the limit.

Any comments insights etc gratefully received.

Many thanks,

ssd.....

Re the right size - you either have or you haven't. I don't think anyone else better than yourself can tell you whether you have or not. It sounds about right though.

Re the scrunchedupness, my hunch is you need to raise the saddle up and this would also give you more leg extension, which it sounds like you need.

 

[mickle]

Images. From the side. Taken as far away as possible and zoomed in and with the camera at the same level as the top-tube (to minimise the effects of perspective and forshortening).

 

[MichaelW2]

Also, front pedal in the 6:00 position to judge saddle height.
2nd one with pedal at 3:00 (forward and horizontal)

 

[Salty seadog]

OP have you tried the standard seat height test of sitting on the saddle and allowing your heel to brush the pedal at the bottom of its stroke, with your leg hanging relaxed? If you are having to stretch, the saddle is too high.

Re the right size - you either have or you haven't. I don't think anyone else better than yourself can tell you whether you have or not. It sounds about right though.

Re the scrunchedupness, my hunch is you need to raise the saddle up and this would also give you more leg extension, which it sounds like you need.

I run a lot of seat post on all the bikes, as for getting the height right I do use the straight leg with heel planted at 6 o'clock method and feel I am about right.

As for pictures I am away from the bikes until next week. Will ponder and continue to make small adjustments.
It's only done a couple of hundred miles so maybe we just need to get used to each other.

 

[Kajjal]

I am 6ft7 and ride a 61cm specialized bike. This is due to getting the riding position I prefer. Like you I have a fair amount of seat post showing.

To do a simple bike fit get the saddle height and fore/aft position right first. Beginners tend to have the saddle far too low and more experienced riders often have it too high due to gradually upping the height over time. The simple test for saddle height is to put the crank arm down but in line with the seat tube which puts the pedal as far away from the saddle as possible. In this position for both legs make sure there is a slight bend in the leg. It does depend on peoples flexibility how much of a bend.

KOPS will tend to put the saddle fore/aft position about right and you can adjust as needed. Just remember the saddle position is purely to get your legs into the right position and not to adjust reach to the bars etc. With the right fore/ aft position you should be able to slide back into the bike more on the saddle and feel like you are in the bike rather than perched very tense on top of it. (a bit hard to explain but once you get it right you will know what I mean). Also make sure you are seated on the saddle properly when you do the adjustment. If you keep riding towards the front of the saddle this can suggest it is too saddle is too high.

Then try different spacer positions and also flipping the stem into the upright position to see if this improves things. Flipping the stem upright reduces reach and puts the bars higher. On my new bike I found the shorter reach bars much better than those on my older bike as they had about an inch less reach, which means I am now very comfortable in the drops.