How far stretched out am I?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How far stretched out am I?
So I finally built up my bike and need some advice. Against my lbs wishes I sized up and went with a 59cm frame. After riding it a few miles I've noticed I feel quite stretched. I know my seatpost is a little high, but I'm not too concerned about that right now. I added 40mm of spacers to help but it still feels long. I've pretty much convinced myself to take the 100-200 dollar loss and just get a smaller frame. So basically I'm wondering if you guys think I should get a 57cm or 55cm frame based on the pictures. Im just about 6' tall with a 31 inseam. I understand my saddle needs to be tilted down but I think my issue is bigger than that.
Also my lower back randomly started to hurt, could this be the issue? (I did about 600 sit ups on carpet a few days ago so that might be part of the problem)
And finally my last question; Are drop bars on track geometry just not comfortable when street riding?
Thanks for the help.
Also my lower back randomly started to hurt, could this be the issue? (I did about 600 sit ups on carpet a few days ago so that might be part of the problem)
And finally my last question; Are drop bars on track geometry just not comfortable when street riding?
Thanks for the help.
#2
Fresh Garbage
Those drops are lowwwww and you look cramped. How bout a set back post too.
Last edited by hairnet; 04-05-13 at 08:31 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cramped is the exact opposite of how I feel. I feel like I have to reach far and down to get to the drops. I guess flipping the stem up would help a little...
#4
Fixie Infamous
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474
Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
It's those handlebars. They aren't meant to be comfortable.
Swap them for road bars and you'll feel fine.
Swap them for road bars and you'll feel fine.
#6
Senior Member
Ride around on the top for awhile. That should let you know for sure that it is the drops.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah I figured this was part of it, but my hands and wrists arent really whats bothering me. Its more of the stretch out and down to get to them. With that said, you still think its the bars?
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My lower back is whats really buggin me. feel like an old man and I havent even done 20 miles on this frame.
#9
Senior Member
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,059
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
All wrong.
The frame is much too small for you. The reason you feel 'stretched' is because you have to reach down at almost a 90* angle to get the drops. Since your back doesn't bend that far, you have to use your fully-extended arms.
You need a bigger frame; more specifically, a longer top tube and taller headtube. This will put the bars further forward, but also further UP relative to your body. Since you'll be able to extend your arms up and forward, you will have a flatter back and be able to bend your elbows, even in the drops. This may take a bit of getting used to as you build core and back muscles, but it is much preferable to what you have now.
How tall are you and what frame size is that?
The frame is much too small for you. The reason you feel 'stretched' is because you have to reach down at almost a 90* angle to get the drops. Since your back doesn't bend that far, you have to use your fully-extended arms.
You need a bigger frame; more specifically, a longer top tube and taller headtube. This will put the bars further forward, but also further UP relative to your body. Since you'll be able to extend your arms up and forward, you will have a flatter back and be able to bend your elbows, even in the drops. This may take a bit of getting used to as you build core and back muscles, but it is much preferable to what you have now.
How tall are you and what frame size is that?
#13
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Nudge that saddle's nose down just a little so you can rotate your hips and this will help you flatten out your back, change those track bars to road bars as you need to be extremely flexible to ride in a position that aggressive and flip that stem.
You have an unusual build in that your legs are shorter than the norm for your height which means you probably have a very long torso and long reach... I am not quite five foot ten and have a 33 inch riding inseam and normally wear pants with a 32-33 leg.
A 31 inch riding inseam would suggest a smaller frame than what I ride (52-55 range) but in doing that you will be cramped up top where it counts most.
You have an unusual build in that your legs are shorter than the norm for your height which means you probably have a very long torso and long reach... I am not quite five foot ten and have a 33 inch riding inseam and normally wear pants with a 32-33 leg.
A 31 inch riding inseam would suggest a smaller frame than what I ride (52-55 range) but in doing that you will be cramped up top where it counts most.
#14
Senior Member
didnt know what to expect with this thread title! especially right next to "bike porn" lol!
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All wrong.
The frame is much too small for you. The reason you feel 'stretched' is because you have to reach down at almost a 90* angle to get the drops. Since your back doesn't bend that far, you have to use your fully-extended arms.
You need a bigger frame; more specifically, a longer top tube and taller headtube. This will put the bars further forward, but also further UP relative to your body. Since you'll be able to extend your arms up and forward, you will have a flatter back and be able to bend your elbows, even in the drops. This may take a bit of getting used to as you build core and back muscles, but it is much preferable to what you have now.
How tall are you and what frame size is that?
The frame is much too small for you. The reason you feel 'stretched' is because you have to reach down at almost a 90* angle to get the drops. Since your back doesn't bend that far, you have to use your fully-extended arms.
You need a bigger frame; more specifically, a longer top tube and taller headtube. This will put the bars further forward, but also further UP relative to your body. Since you'll be able to extend your arms up and forward, you will have a flatter back and be able to bend your elbows, even in the drops. This may take a bit of getting used to as you build core and back muscles, but it is much preferable to what you have now.
How tall are you and what frame size is that?
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nudge that saddle's nose down just a little so you can rotate your hips and this will help you flatten out your back, change those track bars to road bars as you need to be extremely flexible to ride in a position that aggressive and flip that stem.
You have an unusual build in that your legs are shorter than the norm for your height which means you probably have a very long torso and long reach... I am not quite five foot ten and have a 33 inch riding inseam and normally wear pants with a 32-33 leg.
A 31 inch riding inseam would suggest a smaller frame than what I ride (52-55 range) but in doing that you will be cramped up top where it counts most.
You have an unusual build in that your legs are shorter than the norm for your height which means you probably have a very long torso and long reach... I am not quite five foot ten and have a 33 inch riding inseam and normally wear pants with a 32-33 leg.
A 31 inch riding inseam would suggest a smaller frame than what I ride (52-55 range) but in doing that you will be cramped up top where it counts most.
i imagine I'll probably have to end up getting a bike fit, I just hoped I could narrow down which frame size would be ideal
#17
THE STUFFED
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,671
Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
Ummm, nobody has mentioned this but track drops are too deep for typical riding... go for shallow road drops, which in response to your last question will make a track bike more "comfortable".
#18
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Amongst everything else mentioned, having the saddle too high will lead to lower back pain because your hips will rock while riding. The saddle is also the first thing to get right when setting up a bike. With your back stressed, your core won't be supporting you and this will exacerbate any other fit issues.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hawthorne NJ
Posts: 377
Bikes: Surly LHT, Wabi Special, All City Big Block, 1933 Iver Johnson Mobicycle, Giant TCR Advanced
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Amongst everything else mentioned, having the saddle too high will lead to lower back pain because your hips will rock while riding. The saddle is also the first thing to get right when setting up a bike. With your back stressed, your core won't be supporting you and this will exacerbate any other fit issues.
Very important point IMO. Also agree do something about the crazy drop and lower and level the saddle.
Core strength and flexibility is something often overlooked. Riding a bike requires but does not develop core strength. I do a few minutes of crunches and back extensions on a ball most days to maintain my core strength. You do not look particularly flexible through the hips. Some of this may be due to your saddle position but you may benefit from regular stretching to increase hip flexibility.
#20
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
I'm just about 6' tall and this is a 59cm. I can't imagine fitting on a bigger frame though. At least it seems everyone around my height is getting 55-57cm. I'm starting to think maybe the super pistas geometry isn't made for me.
What if I get a 55, set the saddle back as far as it goes, and get an extra long stem. That might work?
i imagine I'll probably have to end up getting a bike fit, I just hoped I could narrow down which frame size would be ideal
What if I get a 55, set the saddle back as far as it goes, and get an extra long stem. That might work?
i imagine I'll probably have to end up getting a bike fit, I just hoped I could narrow down which frame size would be ideal
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In terms of drop and reach specs, these bars were almost identical to all of Easton's road bars
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Very important point IMO. Also agree do something about the crazy drop and lower and level the saddle.
Core strength and flexibility is something often overlooked. Riding a bike requires but does not develop core strength. I do a few minutes of crunches and back extensions on a ball most days to maintain my core strength. You do not look particularly flexible through the hips. Some of this may be due to your saddle position but you may benefit from regular stretching to increase hip flexibility.
Core strength and flexibility is something often overlooked. Riding a bike requires but does not develop core strength. I do a few minutes of crunches and back extensions on a ball most days to maintain my core strength. You do not look particularly flexible through the hips. Some of this may be due to your saddle position but you may benefit from regular stretching to increase hip flexibility.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 222
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have similar if not the same bars on my Fixie and with it adjusted similar to my road bike and the bars on fixie are lower but i dont mind it as im planning on lowering the bars on my road bike to match.