Originally Posted by
JayTee705
I too found Climbhoser's contribution interesting and helpful, and the link to the pic very illustrative.
I bought my first road bike in 20 years this year (and only second if you don't count what I rode as a kid), so I've been looking for info on fit.
I'm hoping someone can expand on what's already here. Specifically, how does the seat-to-bar drop measurement get mixed in with the other settings already discussed?
Thanks!
Saddle to bar drop is pretty ambiguous. "Ideal" bike fit (take that for what it's worth) puts your typical recreational roadie at about a 45 degree back angle. If you watch pro racing, like the Tour de France, you'll notice much more acute angles than 45 on the racers. Sometimes it even looks like they're effing parallel to the ground!
Issues that arise are not that different than what I mentioned before: length and strength of arms and back, limberness and also the comfort of the neck at different levels of "craning."
It has been shown in great detail that the biggest limitation to speed (aside from the engine) is aerodynamics. Spending money on better tires and lightweight parts reaches the point of diminishing returns quickly. Much quicker than spending money on aerodynamics. The quickest, and cheapest route to proper aerodynamics is to get a proper bike fit.
Interestingly enough, Lance Armstrong himself actually raised his time trial bike position, which took away from aerodynamics, just so he could open up his ribcage for better breathing!!!
Regardless, the bottom line is saddle to bar drop is really, ultimately dependent on the rider. My commuter rig for a 35 mile RT commute has Albatross bars 1" above the saddle...showing how much I care about aerodynamics
I also have a 'cross bike with bars and saddle about even, and my aggressive roadie has bars about 2" low, which is REALLY low to me, and I can ride on that bike for about 2.5 hrs. max before I can't take the position anymore.
I think it's better to find comfort than try and beat the wind, unless you're racing, and even then you start losing in other areas like breathing and power output due to better biomechanics.
deez,
As for learning all of this I've been a bike geek for a long time. You spend too much time surfing the 'net, listening to people like me, disseminating good information from bad information and participating in discussions at your LBS and eventually you start getting a picture. Oh yeah, a good buddy of mine from high school is Mike Creed, pro racer on Rock Racing. Can't say I haven't picked anything up from him