Road Cycling - flat bar advice

Dear Forum,

You won't believe what happened to me after work last Friday. I was in the copy room, at the office, when in walked... oops wrong forum.

I have recently swithed from a hybrid to a Surly Cross Check. The crouch has me in pain. I have a very sore neck and shoulders and for some hours after riding my chest hurts when I inhale deeply.

I think it is time to buy a nice set of either flat or double bend riser bars.

I am preparing my budget. I know I will need new shifters, brake levers, and cables. I have been looking at Shimano SL-R440/BL-R440 levers.

I would appreciate any input on bars, capatability issues, and whether any of my other existing components will need replacing. My Surly came equipped with a Salsa double in front and a 9 speed Shimano Ultegra in the rear.

I await your replies with bated breath. he he he
(ooo it hurts to laugh too)

Tom O.

Sorry, that was "switched from a hybrid" not swithed.
Tom O.

Originally posted by tom o
Dear Forum,

You won't believe what happened to me after work last Friday. I was in the copy room, at the office, when in walked... oops wrong forum.

Tom O. Continue with this story...... only then will we tell you how comfortable moustache bars are and what type shifters work well.

Mustache bars. If I use those won't my bike be known as a mustache ride?

Tom O.

First off

Does the bike fit properly?

2nd

How much drop do you have between the saddle and tops of the bars?


A properly fitted bike should be comfortable to ride on the brake hoods for long periods of time and time spent in the drops, while not as comfortable, shouldn't cause you undue pain.

Check out the option of changing stems first. You should easily be able to get the hoods up to a level comparable with flats.

Why don't you look at getting an adjustable stem before you spend a lot of money. You may even have one on your hybrid that you can switch to the road bike. This way you can slowly find a position that causes you no pain.
When I first got back into road biking after years on a mtb I found myself having back pain due to the radically differant position. After a couple of weeks it resolved itself.

First off
Does the bike fit properly?

Yes, I spent lots of time checking and rechecking. I measured by 3 different methods and I am pretty sure the fit is right. I am 5' 10 1/2" the bike is 54cm.

2nd
How much drop do you have between the saddle and tops of the bars?

A properly fitted bike should be comfortable to ride on the brake hoods for long periods of time and time spent in the drops, while not as comfortable, shouldn't cause you undue pain.

The assumption here is that my body is normal. I have a small (5 degree) bend in my spine at my neck due to scoliosis.

I have tried compensating with exercise and I still have pain.

Tom O.

As far as the bike fit the top tube is as important as anything, so 54cm coudl be correct for you're lengths but the stem you have chosen might be incorrect for you're torso.

Also one thing to consider if you put flat bars as is, you will have just as much drop so you will be bent over just as much just have a slightly wider grip, and have a shorter reach so most likely will be more scrunched up.

There is no formula for calculating the "right" position for your bars. If you want to use drop bars in a much higher or closer position than normally recomended, then that is right for you.
My drop bar setup is more touring than racing. On a 56cm bike with a 54.5cm TT I use an 8cm rather than the usual 10cm, and the bars are 1" below the saddle. I know of some drop bar riders who set it even or above the saddle.
Drps are used for comfort and alternate hand positions as well as for aerodynamics.

I know everyone has a different shape but I'm 5'-11" and ride 7 58 cm bikes and am comfy on all, I have plent of standover and I'm not in an extreme crouch when riding in the drops. Your bike may be too small, take it to a reputable shop and have the fit checked.

It never occurred to me to raise my drop bars. Do I need a longer stem or should I just loosen it and pull it up?

Tom O.

I think you will probably need an adjustable stem. Your hybrid very well may have one that will fit your new bike. Most road bikes I know of, with the exception of some Giants, have fixed stems. Go to your lbs and they should be able to hook you up.

Originally posted by tom o
It never occurred to me to raise my drop bars. Do I need a longer stem or should I just loosen it and pull it up?

Tom O. If you have a standard quill type stem, you can easily pull it up to the minimum insertion line marked on the stem. If you have an Ahead stem.....it's just a bit more involved than simply raising.

Like fixxer said if it is quill type, if you have a threaded fork you just loosen the bolt in center and raise it. Possibly take a look at your old bike at look at how the bars corespond to you're seat and use it as a reference. If it is threadless the stem clamps directly on to the steerer tube so really not possible to raise it except maybe a very small bit. Your only real option then is to get a stem with more rise, or a adjustable stem that let's you change the amount of rise you are using.

Switching to flat bars really in itself does not make a bike more comfortable, the way a bike is setup and the geometry of the frame itself makes the difference. I've seen people around her ride with their drop bars 1-2 inches above the level of their seat, what ever is most comfortable for you is how it should be not what the current style, or some fitting chart says it should be.

Thank you all. I will try raising the drop bars first. I like them and if they work I will keep them. If it does not work then I will switch to flat or riser bars.

Tom O.