Droppe my bars anothe 0.5", is that too much?
07-23-09, 10:28 PM
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Dropped my bars another 0.5", is that too much?
I am new to the sport, about 3-4 months of riding and maybe 700 miles under my belt.
When I got fitted 2 months ago, the fitter flipped my stem which gave about a 2.25" drop between the sadle and bars.
I would like to keep lowering it and get rid of some of the spacers on the headset.
So I just dropped it down by 2 of the smallest spacers which is about 0.5".
Is this too large of an incriment to go in one adjustment? I am pretty flexible, have almost no back pain on 3 hour rides and am generally pretty comfortable on the bike.
Let me know if I should start one spacer at a time or just go for it...
When I got fitted 2 months ago, the fitter flipped my stem which gave about a 2.25" drop between the sadle and bars.
I would like to keep lowering it and get rid of some of the spacers on the headset.
So I just dropped it down by 2 of the smallest spacers which is about 0.5".
Is this too large of an incriment to go in one adjustment? I am pretty flexible, have almost no back pain on 3 hour rides and am generally pretty comfortable on the bike.
Let me know if I should start one spacer at a time or just go for it...
07-23-09, 11:09 PM
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Um.
If you're not doing this for any other reason but aesthetics, please stop...
If you actually need to get lower, then start by removing a spacer at a time. Ride for a week or two and then proceed from there.
If you're not doing this for any other reason but aesthetics, please stop...
If you actually need to get lower, then start by removing a spacer at a time. Ride for a week or two and then proceed from there.
07-24-09, 03:17 AM
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Flip it!!!
There's plenty of benefits to having lower bars, so if you can handle the drop, go for it. But 1 at a time.
Just watch your knees on the first couple rides. Extra strain on the hammies and ITB can cause probs.
There's plenty of benefits to having lower bars, so if you can handle the drop, go for it. But 1 at a time.
Just watch your knees on the first couple rides. Extra strain on the hammies and ITB can cause probs.
07-24-09, 03:43 AM
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07-24-09, 01:38 PM
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Did 36 miles this morning avg 16.7mph with some decent climbing, which is actually the fastest Ive riden this route.
I didnt notice a difference in my back, hands, legs, etc. So it felt good.
I am doing 100 miles between Mon-Tuesday next week so I will see how I feel there.
My intention in lowering my bars is to go faster... I am new to the sport but would like to get to the point where I can race at any level. A Schwinn cruiser is comfortable but that doesnt help if I want to go fast....
Next move I will go lower gradually, I went from bars level with my seat to a 2.25" drop after my fitting so this seemed like a small move.
I didnt notice a difference in my back, hands, legs, etc. So it felt good.
I am doing 100 miles between Mon-Tuesday next week so I will see how I feel there.
My intention in lowering my bars is to go faster... I am new to the sport but would like to get to the point where I can race at any level. A Schwinn cruiser is comfortable but that doesnt help if I want to go fast....
Next move I will go lower gradually, I went from bars level with my seat to a 2.25" drop after my fitting so this seemed like a small move.
07-24-09, 01:50 PM
#7
stole your bike
Completely agree. As you ride you'll feel when you're ready for a more aggressive position then make small changes and ride that way for a while before determining whether that's the best position for you.
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07-24-09, 03:23 PM
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Did 36 miles this morning avg 16.7mph with some decent climbing, which is actually the fastest Ive riden this route.
I didnt notice a difference in my back, hands, legs, etc. So it felt good.
I am doing 100 miles between Mon-Tuesday next week so I will see how I feel there.
My intention in lowering my bars is to go faster... I am new to the sport but would like to get to the point where I can race at any level. A Schwinn cruiser is comfortable but that doesnt help if I want to go fast....
Next move I will go lower gradually, I went from bars level with my seat to a 2.25" drop after my fitting so this seemed like a small move.
I didnt notice a difference in my back, hands, legs, etc. So it felt good.
I am doing 100 miles between Mon-Tuesday next week so I will see how I feel there.
My intention in lowering my bars is to go faster... I am new to the sport but would like to get to the point where I can race at any level. A Schwinn cruiser is comfortable but that doesnt help if I want to go fast....
Next move I will go lower gradually, I went from bars level with my seat to a 2.25" drop after my fitting so this seemed like a small move.
Do it for fit. Your 1 ride faster means nothing.
07-24-09, 03:49 PM
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07-24-09, 03:49 PM
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Keep in mind the lower you drop your bars the farther away you are from them. Go low enough will lead you to a shorter stem. Closing your hip angle up can have very negative consequences on power output, breathing, etc.
Make sure you keep all these things in mind. Low riding positions can be good if everything else is in line as well.
Make sure you keep all these things in mind. Low riding positions can be good if everything else is in line as well.
07-24-09, 03:55 PM
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Keep in mind the lower you drop your bars the farther away you are from them. Go low enough will lead you to a shorter stem. Closing your hip angle up can have very negative consequences on power output, breathing, etc.
Make sure you keep all these things in mind. Low riding positions can be good if everything else is in line as well.
Make sure you keep all these things in mind. Low riding positions can be good if everything else is in line as well.
I do not feel any more stretched out at this point, but will see if/when I lower further I need to reduce the stem length 10mm or so. How would I need to adjust the hip angle? Tilting the saddle slightly forward, mine is level with the ground right now.
07-24-09, 04:12 PM
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how often are you riding in your drops? You should always be:
a) In the drops
b) climbing
c) resting
I mention this because you shouldn't worry about lowering the bars if you're riding in the hoods all the time. If this is old news to you, I apologize.
B.
a) In the drops
b) climbing
c) resting
I mention this because you shouldn't worry about lowering the bars if you're riding in the hoods all the time. If this is old news to you, I apologize.
B.
07-24-09, 04:17 PM
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I'm in the drops maybe 30-40% of time that I'm not climbing.
My bars are pretty compact, they are Easton EA70's so the drops are not very deep.
My bars are pretty compact, they are Easton EA70's so the drops are not very deep.
07-24-09, 04:32 PM
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People who talk about lowering their bars for fit alone are just plain wrong. You lower your bars for aerodynamics and try not to compromise fit too much. That being said, try riding in your drops all the time you're going over 18mph for example. That would be much faster than lowering your bars by 1cm (those spacers are most likely 1cm each) and only riding in your drops 1/2 of the time. If you're in the drops all day, and not sore; then continue to lower the bars until you feel stretched or fatigued etc. Keep in mind that you might feel it while climbing on the tops too.
07-25-09, 07:35 AM
#15
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There is nothing wrong with dropping the bars by 1cm all at once, unless you find immediate discomfort. If you do, then try one spacer (probably 5mm) at a time.
I rode with a 9-10cm drop for many years and dropped mine another 2cm all at once last year (at age 55) by switching from an 84 degree stem to a 73 degree. It's done for aerodynamics and hopefully increased speed.
I rode with a 9-10cm drop for many years and dropped mine another 2cm all at once last year (at age 55) by switching from an 84 degree stem to a 73 degree. It's done for aerodynamics and hopefully increased speed.
