I’ve been tending towards the smaller frame, with the lower bars since I almost exclusively bike as city transportation and that set up works well for an hour or two at a time.

I want to get into longer rides, centuries, Randos, a days long trip, etc. So as I’ve been looking at touring set ups, old Singer and Herse bikes, reading up on the Riv site about “most folks are riding bikes that are too small” I’ve been experimenting. Sizing up to get the taller bars does move the reach ou too far.

I’ve got no problems on a 56/57cm square frame, for spirited riding, but setting up for days in the saddle is where I get a little hung up.

Now the good news is the bars are never further off by more than an inch or about 3cm. I don’t think either stem change would be very extreme at all.

I have one bike I need to put longer toe cages on, so I can move my foot forward, that will shorten my leg reach, that will lower my saddle, that will effectively raise my bars!

Another bike I moved my saddle BACK, so I could crouch lower, to more easily reach the bars.

Bike fitting is crazy!

I did wonder why I couldn’t get comfortable on some stock set up though!

“Shortbacks” huh...?