Cyclocross - Bar Set up

Alright guys. I need some advice. I'm not really used to drop bars, and I have no idea how to optimise the set up. There are a lot of variables. Lever position, bar rotation, stem length and height. Any tips on how to get things dialed in?

So far, I've set up the bars so that the flat part of the drops are parallel to the road. I've got my levers so that the hoods are pointing slightly upwards, maybe 10 degrees from parallel to the road. Not sure if this is a good starting point or not. Any ideas?

See
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

One recomended starting point for bars is to run a ruler along the bottom of your drops and set the levers so they just touch this ruler.
Set the rotation of the bars so the drops point very slightly downwards, pointing somewhere between the rear cantelever studs and the hub.
You can also set the levers in their vertical axis. Mine point inwards very slightly when you look from the top.
There is no "correct" way to setup bars so feel free to experiment and copy what other riders do.

Thanks! That tip sounds logical to me. I had the levers where I liked them for riding on the hoods, but then it was difficult to reach them from the drops. I'll play around a little more.

it depends on where you spend your time. in last years cx racing, i never ever for a second got into the drops, so i have my levers high up on the bars so that their comfortable in the hood riding position. yes, it would make reaching them in the drops a little less easy, but since im never in the drops its not an issue.

so i guess just be prepared to play with positioning, it took me awhile to find my spot, and it still takes some time with new bikes, bars or levers.

jeremyb