I'm getting my nearly finished Terraferma ready for the Michigan riding season. Trainer rides tell me I don't like how it feels, and I think it's that my hands want to come back toward me from the hoods. I'm using RRP brake levers on Noodle bars, so I don't think there's an issue with bar/hood position, I can make a lot of adjustment if I want to. But I think the basic problem is that once I get my saddle set right and am warmed up in the position, I don't want to be in that aggressive of a position. I need less bar reach, less top tube, or less stem length.

Terraferma bikes are custom-built, but this was not built for me. It's entirely possible the TT is too long, but obviously I can't adjust the frame!

Question: Is it equivalent to reduce the stem length versus the handlebar reach? I can get a compact bar, like an FSA, that reaches only about 75 or 80 mm to replace the Noodle that reaches about 110 mm. I'm already using a pretty short Nitto Tech Deluxe, 7 cm, so it will not be easy to find a shorter stem if that's really better in some way.

I'm also going to go to a 38 cm bar width if my bar bag will clear the brake levers. My bar height is already about saddle level. There is still adjustment range in the stem so I could experiment with higher bar, first.

I'm putting this in 50+ first because I are one, and second because I think my position preferences are changing with age, at least for this early season.

I am centrally challenged, in that my belly is often where my thighs want to go while pedaling.