Pakiwi

So I am looking at a new bike but wondered long term as the weight continues to drop off, does your bike fit change.
I'm 5'6" 215 lbs and been back riding two years. I noticed even though I ha e great flexibility my belly gets in the way when I'm in the drops and even when I'm on the hoods and I think restricts my natural pedaling and possibly the cause of my reach issue.
So for those that have lost weight in your belly, does this enable a different position and your bike fit.
The KS,
Allan

chaadster

Yes.

Hambonio

Yes, you will become more comfortable on the bike. I almost never ride in the drops, but riding on the hoods became very comfortable for me, dropping to 205 from 230 last year (6ft).

The actual bike size "fit" doesn't change, but you may ba able to adjust your stem to allow for more aero.

dagray

yes, you will find yourself adjusting your seat (I had to raise mine a bit to compensate for loss of padding on the bum), and you might find yourself changing your stem as you will be more flexible. Minor changes that you will be able to do yourself for the most part

Sullalto

Absolutely.

Judi

I've lost 175 lbs and I'm still riding the same bike. The only difference is that I've had to raise the seat about 4 inches over the course of the weight loss. I still seem to have the same general fit issues that I had before...short legs and long torso. I've been looking at new bikes lately but I still have a ridiculously huge chest and the back problems that go with it, so all I've been looking at are hybrids, figuring the upright posture is all I can handle.

dagray

Judi,
on my Raleigh Revenio when doing a bike fit we took and put a 125 degree stem on instead of the 110 degree stem which put me in a more upright position.... in fact they had to order the 125 degree stem so we put a 145 degree stem on in the interim which felt really good to ride with. When the 125 degree stem we put that on, and it didn't feel as good, but I rode many miles with it and it did get more comfortable.

The point I am making is most road bikes in the factory configuration at the bike store have a 100 or 110 degree stem, and by changing the stem angle it puts the bars higher and/or closer so the bike is more comfortable to ride, so if a road bike is what you want to ride go for it .

I am on a 110 degree stem now on my Orbea Orca and it feels good to ride on the top of the bars upright, on the hoods slightly bent over, and I can get into the drops with some pedaling, but mostly coast in the drops.

beakersbike

I got an adjustable stem, where you can adjust the angle. Right now it's set at a bit of a rise, so my handlebars are slightly higher than my seat. For me it was more arm and shoulder comfort. What I like is it gives me the flexibility then to bring it down if I get to where I"m comfortable - better condition, less belly, better core strength.

Drew Eckhardt 

Yes.

Without middle age spread I can ride much lower and aerodynamically. With less fat I also have my saddle farther forwards without having too much weight on my hands and wrists.

nymtber

Yep, I can ride the drops now after losing 55lbs, 6" in waist and 6+" in chest. EVERYTHING is easier now! I cut right through the wind, too, in comparison to when I was heavier!

Masque

Not just the wind you're cutting through with greater ease - it's gravity as well. I know I can feel the speed / acceleration difference when I add my 3 pounds of lock and cable to my ride... losing that much must make the same difference, yeah?

The only thing I lose along with weight is what I lovingly refer to as my "downhill assist".

nkfrench 

Personal experience is that gaining weight affects bike fit .: losing weight affects fit.