xfimpg

Hi

I'm looking to get better leverage when climbing steep hills, like 14% and up. Question for those who have removed the spacers on their fork stem to get a lower handlebar position for climbing; have you noticed that you needed to move your seat slightly forwards or that hasn't changed?

frankenmike 

Saddle position trumps handlebar position IMO. IOW, no. I will temporarily slide to the front of my saddle for steep climbs, however.

xfimpg

I do the same, move up the saddle, but the front wheel comes up anyways, enough to through me off balance. Sometimes I can muscle it and keep moving up while the wheel is popping off the front, but I can only do it for a short while.

JonnyV

I could be way off but wouldn't this drastically increase forward weight when pointed downhill resulting in more endoes?

xfimpg

I thought the exact same thing!
So i researched used bikes for sale, specifically those from ex-racers, and they all have the spacers removed.
Not sure what to think at this point! lol

JonnyV

Just remember, there's a reason they were racers and there's a reason they may be ex racers

xfimpg

Oh definitely, there must be a few of them that have stopped racing because of that. But for the sheer number of racers out there, it would seem to represent a small percentage.

For sure there's a greater risk of endo's, but they must be using techniques to counter that, like sliding the butt off the back of the seat or lifting the front wheel on a angled drop. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

urbanknight

I used to race, but that doesn't mean I knew everything I was doing. Having come from a road and track background, I always felt too upright on my mountain bikes and had no spacers with the stem flipped DOWN. It seems that a lot of people used that setup in the 90's because we just didn't know any better, and I'm sure there are riders who still haven't gotten the message.

ghettocruiser

Dropping the stem a few mm or even cm isn't going to make the difference between an uneventful descent and an endo into a ravine.

I guess if you were almost endo'ing on a regular basis with your stem where it is, there would be risks to lowering it.

xfimpg

What configuration are you using today?

urbanknight

I decided to see why everyone ditched their bar ends and went with wider riser bars. My grips now about the same height as my seat (back then, it was 3-4" below). I haven't found a reason to go back.

frankenmike 

Also, you can change your handlebar position without having to change your saddle position. My saddle-relative-to-crank position is the same on all my bikes(road,mtb,commuter) but the handlebar positions vary quite widely.

xfimpg

Thanks for all your insights!

I left the spacers as is and just flipped the stem. Just doing that makes quite a difference.
I may later on remove the first spacer, which is a 1/4", to see how much a difference it can make.

JonnyV

I'd say you're onto something there. I say play with the idea. Maybe just drop it one or 2 small spacers at a time, just slowly drop the stem until you reach the point you like. Good luck!

xfimpg

urbanknight

Now that I'm home from work and can access photobucket, here's my set-up from 1995 to 1998


And here are my more recent rides.

xfimpg

[QUOTE=urbanknight;11589293]Now that I'm home from work and can access photobucket, here's my set-up from 1995 to 1998

Interesting transition! It seems you went a slightly more aggressive position with the razorback than the specialized.