dylandom

after 4 months, and close to 2k my freaking bike finally fits. it took three stems, and one extra seatpost. i had 6 spacers and a 100mm stem at first with no rise. i was in so much pain. then, i took 4 spacers out, and got a stem from a nashbar a 80mm stem with a 40 degree rise. almost but not there yet. finally. 110 mm with a 40 degree rise. now, for all those wanting to tell me the bike doesn't fit. i've been to three bike shops and they all agree that it's the right size. (bike works, bike habitat, and velo) and i bought the bike from trackstar. i was really getting upset because the bike was just sitting there, and i was always riding my beater. but now, i feel vindicated.
so, how the hell do u guys ride around on those nitto pearl stems, they are so low. i need the seatpost high so my legs can fully extend, otherwise, i get such a leg pain.
last question. how much r u guys spending out those tricked out bikes. my beater cost maybe 500 total and i could ride for days. i see those crazy jap bike with all the njs componets and it amazes me how the IRS hasn't audited u guys.

trons

just show us the pictures

abeyance

Aren't cash transactions wonderful?

sivat

If the seat post is that high, it probably isn't the right size. At least, thats my feeling.

dylandom

it's actually really sad, but the seat is not that high from the top of the seat tube. i say about 3 inches. i think i am some kind of mutant. it's just weird because i see these other guys with crazy high seat posts and low stems and i wonder how their kidney's r feeling.

youth

people are different shapes. my frame is a tad small for me (i like it, so it's all good), and i ride with my seatpost way up. but my bars are only a few inches lower than my seat, and it's comfy. whatever works for you dude n.n

666pack

don't worry about how other people look when they ride their bikes. i ride with my saddle rediculously high up, maybe eight inches of seat post. my stem is also down as far as it will go... it's comfortable for me. really comfortable. it puts me in a great position for whatever kind of riding i'm doing.

mattface 

I usualy like my bikes set up with about 4" of seatpost, the seat all the way back, or almost all the way back, and a 110-120mm stem. I've recently noticed another fixie around town the frame is about the same size as mine (57cm), but the seat is WAY up in the air, and as far forward as possible with the shortest stem I've ever seen, maybe 20mm?

Anyway, I've never seen the guy, but if I see a guy around with his belt up by his armpist I expect that'll be him. The point: (if there was one in there) bike fit is highly personal. tastes vary as well as body proportions, so what works for others might just not work for you.

dylandom

yea, i know. but i have been hanging around the road cycling forum for a bit and they have this issue with the stem. they always want u to flip it back so there is no rise. i've never head the balls to ask why it's such an issue.
i do think that 40 degree rise is a bit crazy, but at least she is ridable now.

Serendipper 

Ha ha, yeah...the roadies always say "flip your stem". Hilarious. It probably started as an aero suggestion, but got way out of hand as those dudes became all fashion conscious. (OCP, and all that jazz)

I cannot wait to drive them crazy with my new 'cross bike. It has more stem then most rodies have seatpost!

See....? This will probably push them over the edge of sanity!(I'll probably get a lower stem for crits and such, lol).

mattface 

It's purely aesthetic. Stems with no rise, or even a bit of a drop look sexy, but if they don't put the bars where you need them they are worse than useless.

Instead of 40º rise though, why not put those 4 spacers back, and try a 110 with maybe 10º rise, or whatever gets you to about the same height as the 40º minus 4 spacers. you can also rotate the bars slightly forward or back in the stem, moving the seat 5-10mm forward or back. you may find small adjustments of your existing setup make the fit better

Serendipper 

We say negative rise is sexy, but the ladies say different!

LóFarkas

It's just the hardcore sporty look. A low bar makes you bend down, which is more aerodynamic. Also, your thigh muscles work a bit better if you're bent forward, so you can put out more power. So in road racing, a low handlebar is standard. Unfortunately, it can be pretty damn uncomfortable if your back is bad or you're just not that flexible or have a beer gut. Most of us don't need that small aero advantage, so people usually go with what is comfy. (Except for members of a certain subforum *khmm*)

travsi

alot of has to do with how flexible you are and what
you're used to. my day-to-day ride has risers which
puts me at a really comfortable position, but my keirin
bike has drops and the bottom of the drops are slightly
higher than the top of the front tire (pretty low). but i
still can comfortably ride in the drops.

one time my professor saw my track bike and wanted
that i build him a single speed that was sporty and
comfortable. i told him if he's not used to riding a sporty
bike, it probably won't be comfortable...