Road Cycling - Fit question - Contact point distances?

I have been trying to come up with a way of comparing fit to get some idea of whether I am close to what others are doing. Not so much in terms of dimensions like various tube lengths, but actual distances between contact points, ignoring angles, which, though they may be important, can be hard to measure. So here are my body and bike measurements that I consider relevant. Keep in mind that I am not trying to get extreme detail, just the most basic stuff. My bike seems comfortable as I have it set up, but I always wonder if I am way off and just don't know it. I have tried to measure in such a way that anyone with a yardstick can quickly duplicate the measurements. I have rounded all the metric conversions to the nearest cm. The purpose of the exercise is ball park estimate of comparative distances, not fine-tuning. It seems to me by comparing absolute measurements with riders of similar body measurements or percentages with riders of differing size one can get an approximation of how their setup compares to others.

Body measurements:
Height - 6'0"/183 cm

Arm length - 23"/58 cm - stick end of yard stick in armpit, arm straight down, measure to intersection of thumb and palm - 23"

Torso length - 23"/58 cm - sit on floor, butt, back and shoulder flat against a wall/door. Measure from floor to point of shoulder, the bump at front where you measure for bar width.

Inseam - 32"/81 cm - standing straight up against wall, place large book in crotch, square to wall, mark top of book. Measure from floor to mark.

Bike measurements:
Pedal to top of saddle - 36-36.5"/91-93 cm - non drive side pedal at 6 o'clock, measure top of pedal to top of saddle nose.

Pedal to bar - 37"/94 cm - pedal same as above, measure center of pedal spindle to center of bar.

Saddle to bar, horizontal - 33"/84 cm - measured center of bar to rear edge of saddle.

Saddle to bar, vertical - 2.5"/6 cm - measured from top of bar to yardstick laid on level saddle.


I would be especially interested in comparing measurements with those of you who have been riding and racing for a number of years. Obviously differences in components like saddle length, height, width as well as type of pedal will cause some minor differences, but these measurements should still have some value as guidance. It seems like even two people with exactly the same body measurements might feel more comfortable with bike setups that differ by 1-2 cm, but a difference of 10-15 cm might suggest reconsideration.

So what do you think?
Regards,
Raymond

I just had a pro fit...

Body measurements:
Height - 6'1.5"

Arm length - 22.5"

Torso length - 24.9"

Inseam - 34.5"

Bike measurements:
Pedal to top of saddle - 38.8"

Pedal to bar - 38.5"

Saddle to bar, horizontal - 32.5

Saddle to bar, vertical - 3.2"

According to the gentleman who fit me (seemed pretty knowledgeable, I am very happy with the fit), a 3" drop is relatively racey.

Body measurements:
Height - 6'

Arm length - 23"

Torso length - 25"

Inseam - 33"

Bike measurements:
Pedal to top of saddle - 37" (this is a Speedplay pedal, so it's pretty low-profile)

Pedal to bar - 39.8"

Saddle to bar, horizontal - 34"

Saddle to bar, vertical - 1.5"

Keep in mind that this is a 25"-frame Cannondale loaded-touring bike with a 13cm quill stem, not a road-racing bike.

Raymond, I'm not quite sure what you are doing, but have you looked at the site Dirtgrinder told us about in another post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10953&highlight=science)?

The website is http://www.wrenchscience.com .
May help. May not. :confused:

So why dont you find a good shop that can evaluate your fit and position on a bike or pay the bucks for a Serotta fit cycle evaluation.That's the only way you are going to know what MIGHT be best for you. And even from there you may need to do some indivudal tweaking .Matters not what some other clown is doing even if they have identical measurements.You may have flexibility and or conditioning issues.BTW........do o you have a clue how much 10-15cm is??

Pokey,
You raise some good points. A pro fitting would be nice. Realistically, though, there are many of us who are not as advanced or "serious", if you will, who may never have an opportunity to get a full blown fitting. I, for instance, only ride 150 or so miles a week, mostly commuting. My purpose was to elicit some simple, specific, easy to obtain measurements to which people could compare their own setup. I realize there are other factors. However, note that adjusting for Guillermo's greater height, longer legs and shorter arms his measurements and setup are pretty darn close to what one might extrapolate from my own. Since he just had a pro fit that would seem to lend some credence to my approach. Mechbgon's setup is also close when adjusted for his slightly greater inseam and torso length. That's all I was looking for, something close.
Regards,
Raymond