Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Sizing question.

When I watched the austin mash video I noticed that a lot of those guys' torsos were upright, compared to mine. Is this mostly personal preference, or is there a certain angle you should maintain if you're bike is sized properly? Is my position in these photos pretty normal, or not, or does it even matter as long as it's comfortable (it's definitely comfortable on the top of the bars--the bottom feels a little awkward but I've never used drop bars before)?

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/cyrano138/IMG_2030.jpg


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/cyrano138/IMG_2031.jpg

Thanks for any info...


**edit: It occurs to me now that I am shirtless in these photos. I didn't do that on purpose; I was just a little more concerned with figuring out the automatic timer thing on my camera.

You look like you're in a pretty comfortable riding position to me. I only go down in the drops if I really need extra leverage - stong wind, climbing a steep hill. If that position is ok with you then stick with it. You can always alter it after you become accustomed to riding drop bars. I ride in that same position myself and am extremely comfortable in it. Good luck.

I only go down in the drops if I really need extra leverage - stong wind, climbing a steep hill.

Same here. Thanks for the feedback. The bike feels fine, but one of the guys at work today said it looked like the bike was bit big for me, which is why I asked.

for non-racing use, most of the "experts" suggest your upper body to be at ~ a 45 degree angle when in your most used (usually brake hoods) position.

Your pretty close on the tops if thats how you mostly ride. The bars do look a bit low, but I'll bet you could solve that simply by flipping the stem -- assuming it is in the low position now.

But in the end, if you are comfortable, and can ride for 20 or more miles with out getting sore hands, arms, or shoulders, your fine.

My stem just goes straight out, so I don't think that would do much. I can try lowering the seat if it gets uncomfortable. The longest ride I've done is about 23 mi., and that went well, which is good. Thanks again for the info.

Seat could go down an inch or so. Why not you wear shoes?

With shoes on, he is probably in the right place or within a few millimeters of it. I find it useful to find that right spot and then take two measurements: from the floor to the saddle rail (I do the center of it but the top or bottom of the rail would also work) and then from the bottom of the crank bolt to the saddle rail.

As for the OPs question regarding the Mash riders, risers put you in a more upright riding position. That is why some people like them in traffic. I tried risers several times over the last three or so years and discovered that I like being stretched out (except in the rain when I wear a cap under my helmet) so I ride bullhorns. It is just a bit more natural for a road or track bike (not that the position is natural for the body), a bit easier on the ass, and puts the weight of one's messenger bag more across the back and less on just the one shoulder.

what is that blue ball on the left for?

The ball belongs to this little monster:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/cyrano138/IMG_0069.jpg



I didn't put shoes on because it didn't cross my mind. There were a lot of little things that were off. For example, in the upright position photo I'm not exactly where I would normally sit. I set the timer on the camera for 15 sec., which I thought would be plenty of time to get across the room and scramble into position. It wasn't quite enough, but I figured I was sitting pretty close to where I normally sit, enough to get a decent idea of how well the bike was sized for me, if not exactly.

She is dumber than a sack of hammers, but she's so cute it doesn't matter.

American bulldog?

Yeah. I have no idea how you could tell from the picture, though. She's a sweetheart. She was about to go into a shelter when my brother agreed to take her.