Worried about Frame Size
- Thread starter BrynCP
- Start date
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smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
You could flip the stem through 180 degrees, it's really easy to do and would make things a little more upright and bring the bars marginally closer in as well.
Thanks again. I'll hopefully ride a bit more mid week then look at the stem if necessary.
I am not too bothered about being upright, I just don't want to have bad posture if I am actually reaching too much.
Yep, same stem. Unfortunately, LBS didn't give me the shims though, so it's fixed on -8 or +8 if i flip it.
I am not too bothered about being upright, I just don't want to have bad posture if I am actually reaching too much.
Yep, same stem. Unfortunately, LBS didn't give me the shims though, so it's fixed on -8 or +8 if i flip it.
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
Bryn, your LBS will likely have spare stems for you to try out and would swap to a shorter one at no extra cost. Your body will also adjust as you get used to the new position and you might find you need to swap back to a longer stem after all.
A lot of people swear by getting a professional bike fit and I'm sure they're great but if your flexibility and strength improve so will your ideal position.
As I'm sure you know, the angle of your saddle can also be a factor and if the nose ttilts down for example, you'll be putting more weight on your hands which can be a cause of wrist/hand/thumb pain.
Most of the above is based purely on my own personal experience and from that I'd say what you're going through is pretty normal when getting back into using dropped bars from flats.
A lot of people swear by getting a professional bike fit and I'm sure they're great but if your flexibility and strength improve so will your ideal position.
As I'm sure you know, the angle of your saddle can also be a factor and if the nose ttilts down for example, you'll be putting more weight on your hands which can be a cause of wrist/hand/thumb pain.
Most of the above is based purely on my own personal experience and from that I'd say what you're going through is pretty normal when getting back into using dropped bars from flats.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
You are sat quite upright. Don't try and get a flatter back just yet if new to road cycling. You'll soon enough improve position. Try flipping the stem for now.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
You could try a shorter stem as you suggest or flip your existing as others have said. I am sure with a bit of fine tuning and a bit more time on the bike you will be fine.
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
The stem looks far to short to me personally. The shoulders are pushed back and hunched.
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
Does your seat post have a setback? I am asking because you look a bit bunched up. This could be because of your physique I realize and since this will change over time I think it best that you get the frame size right (which you seem to have done) and stem length saddle height and fore and aft adjustments can be fiddled with as you go.
No setback. The seat moves, it's fully forward. I thought I was too stretched out though, not too bunched up!
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
If you Google 'cyclist' and look at the images that come up you will see a variety of positions people adopt when cycling and none of them is totally correct for everyone. Having said that I would say that the attached picture illustrates a fairly good position - compare that with your own
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
Is it more comfortable riding in the drops than on the hoods.?
jack smith
Veteran
- Location
- Durham
You can purchase a new decent stem for 15 including postage (I'll give you the link if you wish) I really think all you need is a shorter stem to bring you more upright and put more bend in your elbows. Or you could move your hoods higher up the bars, I much prefer them right at the top myself.
I have to look up more to see in front, but I guess this is the nature of riding in the drops. There is more of a bend and no thumb pain.
There isn't really a major discomfort riding on the hoods, I am just aware of how stretched I look. My thumbs do hurt, but I am not used to holding things between thumb and rest of hand. In fact, holding a textbook like this would give me the same pain thinking of it.