Fifty Plus (50+) - Cockpit? (top bar) length and old people

When I started riding in earnest last fall I was on my 1984 64cm Schwinn that I bought in college. Didn't know any better - I'm only 5'10, blame the salesman. The only real discomfort I've experienced from that monster is tingling hands... but I know I need a properly-fitting bike, so yesterday I bought a 56cm Fuji Roubaiz 1.0. The cockpit length (I heard a guy in a bike shop call it that) of the Fuji is several inches LONGER than that of the big old Schwinn, I suppose because the two bikes are intended for entirely different usages. My question - is this ("cockpit length") something that older riders are likely to be more impacted by than young folks? Is this new Fuji gonna kill me? It doesn't feel right, like I'm stretched out, and the first thing through my mind is to change out the stem for an adjustable that will bring the bars back. I'm mostly doing 1 - 2 hour road rides and would like to do some centuries, etc, later this year. Thoughts?

Way too many unknown variables to make an intelligent response about how the bike fits you. In general, I have not found that I want a shorter cockpit on my road bikes as I get older. In fact I have been gradually moving to slightly longer reach and getting more comfortable.

It would help if you could post photos of yourself on the bikes so we can see how they fit. But this could better be answered by someone there with you.

When I started riding in earnest last fall I was on my 1984 64cm Schwinn that I bought in college. Didn't know any better - I'm only 5'10, blame the salesman. The only real discomfort I've experienced from that monster is tingling hands... but I know I need a properly-fitting bike, so yesterday I bought a 56cm Fuji Roubaiz 1.0. The cockpit length (I heard a guy in a bike shop call it that) of the Fuji is several inches LONGER than that of the big old Schwinn, I suppose because the two bikes are intended for entirely different usages. My question - is this ("cockpit length") something that older riders are likely to be more impacted by than young folks? Is this new Fuji gonna kill me? It doesn't feel right, like I'm stretched out, and the first thing through my mind is to change out the stem for an adjustable that will bring the bars back. I'm mostly doing 1 - 2 hour road rides and would like to do some centuries, etc, later this year. Thoughts?

Maybe you are still adjusting to the feel of the longer geometry?? I'd give it time and if the probs of discomfort still exist by mid-summer and many miles maybe you really could use the shorter bike.

Cockpit? (top bar) length and old people


Wouldn't know - no old people here.

Pics of you sitting on the bike would help but Top tube length is the critical factor I go for when selecting a bike. I am 5'6" short and like a TT length of 535mm on a road bike. Mountain bikes work differently by the way.

With a top tube length of 560mm- your bike is not long for what I would expect from that size frame. What may be causing you a problem is the position of the bars at present in comparison to your last bike.

But there is still an adjustment to the bike for you to make. Mainly on riding it and getting used to it but the saddle may be wrongly positioned- The stem may be a bit too long- the bars could be too low- in fact any number of reasons why the bike may not feel right at present. Unfortunately this could also be that you were sold the wrong size frame but if it were a reputable shop- I doubt that.

The fatal thing is to get a bike that is too large but almost as bad is a bike that is too small--I know and been there. But a 64 scwinn must have some unusual geometry or set up if it has a shorter cockpit than a 56 Fuji.

So get pics posted and ride it for a while to adjust to the bike. Then some of us may be able to advise.


http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/roubaix_1_0

I'm 5' 10" and rather like the 52.5cm top tube on my Trek 460. The factory seat has adjusting rails to slide it back a little if I get a little cramped.

Part of your being stretched out is very likely a much greater saddle-to-bars drop, given you went from a 64cm bike to a 56cm. I would think the change in bar drop is dramatic, and both bar drop and 'cockpit length' bend you over. The feeling can be similar.

I went from a 62cm '77 Schwinn Le Tour to a '08 58cm Fuji Roubaix RC and it was a bit of an adjustment. I went with a shorter stem on the Fuji (100mm with a 7 degree rise, IIRC). I'm just over 6' and the set up works well for me. I notice that I ride on the hoods most of the time now where I rode in the drops on the Schwinn. I really like the Fuji and it has served me well.

I also have a 60cm '07 Schwinn Le Tour GS as a commuter. Put a 70mm stem on that one to shorten the cockpit. It is definately too big for me but I didn't know then what I know now. It works fine as a commuter but it wouldn't be my choice for long rides.

The new Fuji does ship with what looks to me to be a long stem. I think I'll order one of those ratcheting stems. This is a lot of great feedback - I'm glad I found this site now, just wish I had spent some time here before bike shopping. story of my life...

There could be the option of flipping the stem. That means turning the stem over so that it raises the bars a bit--but that will only work if you have a stem that has an angle on it and it is currently the wrong way up. It may also be possible to raise the bars by putting spacers under the stem--if there are any currently above it.

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These attachments are of the same bike but if you look at the stem- you will see that the bike with red tyres has spacers above the stem and the stem is in the lower position. The other pic has the spacers below the stem and the stem is in the higher position.

Edit--So you are new to the forum and you have learnt a couple of facts- We are a helpfull lot and have a wealth of experience we can try to pass on. N+1 you have proved you understand with the new bike- but just a couple more--Pie and Pics. Even better if the pic involves Pie along with the bike.

It's my impression that as we age and lose height it's mostly as a result of discs in your spine losing their "fullness" for lack of a better word. I was 5'10" for most of my life but am now 5'9" and the reach to the bars on my bike has changed. I ended up getting a shorter stem.

As everyone has said, it's hard to offer good advice without pictures. But my advice would be for you NOT to wait overly long for the bike to suddenly feel right. It won't hurt to make some adjustments (stem flips, seat moved forward, etc.) and see if you can improve things, always keeping notes on how to get back to the original setup if you need to.

I think it depends a great deal on the kind of riding you'll actually be doing. I've got three very different "cockpit" lengths for very different kinds of riding. My commuter is a much shorter cockpit (by as much as three inches) so that I'm very upright and able to easily look around and deal with the heavy traffic of an urban area during rush hours. My touring bike is a bit longer given when it gets used, it's typically an 8 to 11 hour day in the saddle. My third configuration is for my three "go fast" bikes. These all have the same measurements and are the most stretched out. I used to try and make all my rides fit the "go fast" configuration. I was very happy to learn that a shorter cockpit actually makes my commute much more pleasurable, and touring is a bit easier on the neck and shoulders with a slightly stretched configuration. So, different "cockpits" for different kinds of rides is my view of the way things ought to be.

Part of your being stretched out is very likely a much greater saddle-to-bars drop, given you went from a 64cm bike to a 56cm. I would think the change in bar drop is dramatic, and both bar drop and 'cockpit length' bend you over. The feeling can be similar.
+1,,try riding on the top of the bar and not in the drops,,,(I can't ride long times in the drops...)
Bud

At the risk or using this quote to the point of stupidnessing lately....

Fit and fitness go hand in hand. i.e. the better your overall fitness is, the more aggressive a position [drop] you'll likely be comfortable in.

It's my impression that as we age and lose height it's mostly as a result of discs in your spine losing their "fullness" for lack of a better word. I was 5'10" for most of my life but am now 5'9" and the reach to the bars on my bike has changed. I ended up getting a shorter stem.

same issue went from a 110 stem to a 100

In making very minor adjustments of the bike fit I've been using a white-out corrective pen to make small marks on seat post, saddle rails for fore and aft position and handlebar forward or back rotation. This makes it possible to return to a previous position very accurately if necessary. I've been adjusting the fir for 3000 miles now and it is getting very close.

I'm going to say this once. (1) Position saddle so weight is over feet when bent forward in neutral riding position; this is usually farther back than you would think or the way the saddle is set up at the bike factory. (2) Bend at the hips, not the lower back, and especially not the upper back. (3) Keep your shoulders high, your chest out, and your head high enough to see the road ahead; think of making your spine as straight as possible from the pelvis to the base of the skull.

If you sit this way you might find yourself needing a longer cockpit than you ever thought possible.

I'll be 59 next month, and my riding posture is probably a little bit better than it was 35 years ago. My rig:199835

When you get the setup right, your elbows will be slightly bent when gripping the handlebars (hoods or drops). If the weight is distributed right, you can lift your hands off the bars without your head and chest dropping toward the stem.

I'm finding that my balance has shifted over the years. I'm still riding a mountain bike, but more on paved roads these days. And I'm trying to get into more of an upright posture. Kind of like a touring or utility stance on the bike.

I've found I prefer the Schwalbe 1.5x26 Marathon Plus tires, with a riser stem and bars. Ergonomic grips and bar ends help a lot. But I'm a bit older now than I used to be, so I'm accepting the fact that I'm not 19 years old anymore.

same issue went from a 110 stem to a 100

Exactly what I did...110 to 100. Much better.

I rode with the Pie last night... CutiePie. I don't know what she sees in me and I don't care. She's 55, sets a 16 mph pace in hills for hours, and I ride behind her most of the time - surely I don't have to explain why. Photos forthcoming :-DDD ... I put the first 21 miles on the new Fuji last night dodging flooded roadways. My hands didn't tingle near as much as with the giant old Schwin and the climbs were much easier. Yippee! I am still going to get a shorter stem though. I'm giving up on the idea of crosstop brake lever additions - too much bad press.

Sounds great. Less hand tingling means that something is on the right track. Just don't get rid of the stem you are replacing as you may want it at a later date.

But these modern bikes do climb Easier-won't say better- do have better gear ratios and are a joy to ride. You still have some sorting to do to get that perfect fit but that will come. All you have to do is ride it and post pics.