Hey everyone, thanks for the fast replies!
Originally Posted by
SkinnyLegs
FSA Omega Compact bars work well with 9 speed Ultegra. It most likely has less reach than your current bars so that will influence what length stem you need.
I'll take a look into those. I do have medium/large sized hands so I am hoping that the drop to brifters reach won't be a huge issue for me. I am wondering though, will the reduced reach affect my positioning significantly? I am 6'4" and if I cut the reach on my bars further I'm wondering if the limitations would hurt on longer rides. The same goes for the compact drops. I guess in the end I'll still have to give it a shot.
Originally Posted by
iam7head
to the OP: 31.8 is referring to the stem to handle bar clamp size, it's pretty much the newer standard for roadbike bar(especially composite bar), it's also called oversized(compare to old standard 26.0mm)
if you need some thing that offers more than just a round profile, try those k-wing bar, the flat section is wing shaped, some people likes it, i personally don't care for it.
For the K-wing bars, only the top portion is flat right? If thats the case, I dont know how much good it'll do, I hardly spend any time up there, most of my discomfort with my current bars is when I'm on the heel of the hoods. Thanks for the insight into the 31.8 though!
Originally Posted by
bike_boy
OP, did LBS that did bike fit indicate size stem you need & degree rise/drop?
Example: 110 mm, +/- 10 degrees. You can usually flip a stem over to change from a rise to a drop. Some side printed logos will be upside down, if flipped.
Many (not not all) road stems have a 2 bolt bar clamp. Whereas, mtn. bike bar clamps are typically 4 bolt ones.
Also, some handlebars have indented areas for cable routing. While others allow for internal cable routing. If you feel your current bars are to thin feeling, maybe perhaps try some handlebar gel inserts to go under bar tape.
The LBS suggested I up my stem from a 9cm to a 12cm one, their form of measurements was that while in the drops, I should only be able to see 1/4 of the hub above the handlebars which is about what a 12cm stem would give me. They didn't say anything about rise of the stem. I'm currently running about 3.5cm worth of spacers which is how the bike came and is fairly comfortable. Stem is flipped up, from looks of it, about +7 degrees.
I may try the gel thing on my next wrap, I've heard mostly good things about fizik and some bad so figure I'll give that a shot. From what it sounds like you're saying, pretty much all handle bars are the same thickness.