Pakiwi

When I started this venture of losing weight around a year ago I got a bike fit. One thing the person did was to position my stem at an angle to bring the handlebars closer to my arms. Since a year ago I have lost a lot of weight from around my belly and I think I am a little more flexible and can now comfortably use the drops. Should I start looking at changing the stem to a flat one so I can ride in a more aero position all while riding without my legs slapping my gut.
How much did your riding position change during your weight loss.
Allan

Black wallnut 

My saddle has moved up by a CM. In addition to that I now also ride in the drops, lots.

George

Only you can answer you that. I would try it and see how it feels. Just go a little at a time though, so your body can adjust. Good luck.

Mark Stone

↑↑↑ This. ↑↑↑ In three years (since I've joined BF) I've lost 78 pounds and didn't need to change one adjustment on The Black Knight. I think it's a personal thing, since all people are different and all (most?) bikes are different. Do what makes riding comfortable and fun for you!

brawlo

That!

And also, it depends on what sort of riding you are doing and what sort of riding you want to do. If your bike fit was done properly in the first place there should be no need for a change, however if you riding focus has changed, then so too could your riding position. The more upright position you have now will most likely be better for longer distance, relaxed riding. If you want to go harder and faster, perhaps even race, then longer and lower is better, but not necessarily more comfortable.

TGT1

Started out with a new bike the end of last year and had to move the entire spacer stack to under the steerer and flipped it over to get the bar height up high enough.

I would still get a sore back when down on the drops for more than a few miles.

Now about 2,500 mi and 30 lb later I've moved half the stack back on top dropping the bars about 15mm and today did 40 mi, 15 or more of it on the drops with no sore back.

So yes, you should make adjustments as the gut get's out of the way and the back get's stronger.

Make some small adjustments and see how it feels.

sstorkel

I went from a +12-degree 100mm stem to a -6-degree 110mm stem and removed 10mm of spacers from underneath the stem. Like Black wallnut, I also spend more time riding in the drops.

JohnJ80

Bike fit is an experimental and iterative process in which tiny changes can have major impacts.

I just lost a lot of weight and due to a neck, issue, I actually increased the angle of my stem upwards (about 1/4" higher) and it made all the difference in the world. No more neck pain, more comfort and higher speed. I guess the point is that there is a lot more to stem length and bar height than the size of your mid section. Again, get cozy with a good LBS that will let you experiment with saddles, stems etc... Otherwise, be prepared to spend some serious coin.

FWIW, Gred LeMond the three time non doper TdF winner says that you should be as aero as you can comfortably maintain. He's the guy that sort of invented the relaxed geometry racing bike. He's exactly right. Comfort comes first, then go aero. Doesn't do you any good if you can't hold the position longer than 5 minutes.

J.

Dave Cutter

My also raised my saddle as my bottom decreased in size. Now I can ride in the drops anytime I want. When I was at 256 the pressure against my midsection made it too uncomfortable.