Originally Posted by
roadwarrior
My stem's flipped up. I have 4 inches of drop from the seat to the tops of my bars...I can raise it up a bit further in winter so I can stay in the drops in winter clothes. That drop, after testing is where at 90 rpms I am at max power.
I love passing people who are standing, climbing, while I am in the drops, climbing up our short steep hills..
Adios...
I went on a ride the other night (30 miles) with 9 people who showed up at the shop...all had stems down or flat.
We ride 12 miles dead into a 20 mph wind. All are on the hoods, none could stay in the drops for more than a few minutes. Can't see, back pain, can't breathe...
It's never about looks. Unless you don't know what you are doing.
Do what you want, but know that there is a setup for everyone that's unique.
A guy I know was extolling the virtues of how a bike should look. Stem flat or down. Our custom guy bet him $20 that if he redid the stem setup, he'd be more comfortable. No testing, just his opinion...
After an hour of riding, he walks in shaking his head. Easiest $20 our custom guy ever made...and the rider said he picked up more speed.
Enjoy...
Agree. We are the same age and I run a riser stem with spacers as I prefer my bars to be substantially higher....with only a modest 1 inch drop. I would likely opt for a lower position but I struggle with neck pain when riding in a more aggressive position. I consider your position to still be quite aggressive with a 4 inch drop. I too can ride 12 miles into wind at 20 mph in the drops without issue because of my set up which would be considered fairly upright by many. My hip angle is not closed, I can breath and still stay under the air pretty well. I can descend as fast as anybody as well as I still have decent aerodynamics. At the end of the day its body position that matters whatever stem and frame combination gets you there. Last time I looked Floyd Landis rode a riser stem on his BMC. Of course it cost him the TdF.
