Originally Posted by AnthonyG
UM Euro. Where did you get the OP's fit information from in order to make that statement?
It would actually be rather silly to move the handlebars forward to fix the fit if the seat was actually too far forwards of KOPS in the first place which is all that people have been saying. Check your saddle placement first before going off half cocked.
Regards, Anthony
I'd have to totally agree with Euro = "NO! Never move your seat to alter upper-body fit!!!
Get your saddle to pedals position dialled in for power, and then get your upper body position dialled in for your individual selection of aero and comfort."
His statement is based on being in a good position relative to the pedals/BB. Once you're close to your current optimum, adjustments for upper body are not affected there, if all is done properly.
"Get A New Stem" assumes that something more than bar drop will be needed to find the best upper body position.
You don't need to know anyone's position info to make the above statements, they're correct regardless.
to the OP - markwebb - you've noted that you're in a good position, fore-aft and height saddlewise, but if you try to do that 'measurement' on your own, I would suggest having an assistant to do the measuring while you're on the bike, to get an accurate reading.
As for how it all feels when climbing out of the saddle, not only will stem length affect standing position, but obviously also bar drop. Without seeing your setup, a high bar setting will allow you to inadvertantly be more forward than desired - it is almost inevitable. Lower bar positions help to keep the body mass further back, over the pedals and BB.
You might check your 'standing' position. If you're in too upright of an upper body position, you'll be too far forward. Try to maintain a similar position to a seated one - more bend at the waist/hips. This provides the same type of power profile as when seated.
Sometimes, in a long climb, I find myself sliding my hips further under and forward, as if to provide more leverage as I pull up on the bars. But thats actually counterproductive for power production. When I become aware I've 'slid' forward, I project my hips back until I can feel the saddle nose ever so lightly brush the backs of my legs during the standing strokes, then move the hips forward just a tad - puts me back into an optimum climbing position.
If not clear, just chek out some video/pics of good climbers in action - any Giro/TDF/Vuelta footage will do.