Magic Numbers - 36/18
04-26-10 | 06:41 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,397
Likes: 8,315
From: Seattle area
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Whoa dude, you must have short torso/arms for 6'4". I just measured 4 of my bikes and the tip of saddle to handlebar measurement is 21.5" - 22.0". I'm only 6'1".
04-26-10 | 08:25 PM
#3
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Wouldn't it be better to measure to the center of the stem/steerer to account for different size steerers?
04-26-10 | 10:38 PM
#4
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 3
A similar measurement that I use is what I call "effective cockpit"; basically, from the center of the seat clamp to the grip. And, since I feel metrics are a bit more precise, I use mm.
Present bike measures 750mm 'EC'; top of saddle to pedal is just a touch under a meter. I tend to have the knee just behind the pedal axle.
BTW, I'm 6'1".
Present bike measures 750mm 'EC'; top of saddle to pedal is just a touch under a meter. I tend to have the knee just behind the pedal axle.
BTW, I'm 6'1".
04-29-10 | 03:17 PM
#6
Time for a change.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
On the bar height- New bikes are normally set up with the bars on the high side with spacers under the stem and the stem in the raised position. One thing you hear on the Road forum is "Flip the stem". Most stems are made so that by flipping it- you can get 2 different heights. On my main rides- this will give me a 2" difference so look at the stem and see if flipping it will lower the bars.
Buying a low stack headset seems expensive to me and may be difficult to fit on some frames. Far easier would be to buy a stem that will lower the bars- if "Fliipin it " does not work.
Buying a low stack headset seems expensive to me and may be difficult to fit on some frames. Far easier would be to buy a stem that will lower the bars- if "Fliipin it " does not work.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
04-30-10 | 04:34 AM
#7
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
Another factor to watch when fitting a bike that the OP didn't mention: the relationship between your legs and the pedals. Rule of thumb is that the front of your knee cap should line up with the pedal axle when your the crank is parallel to the ground. This is of course just a starting point and your optimal point could be different. You can only adjust this attribute by the fore-aft position of the seat but this also requires changing the stem length if you want to keep the seat to handle bar length the same. I suggest trying to get this comfortable first and then mess with the stem length if necessary. In addition to the handle bar width that the OP mentioned the handle bar shape is important. If the shape of the handle bars isn't right for you, you may be able to get one riding position comfortable, say riding the drops, but still be uncomfortable on the hoods (hood placement is also a factor).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fishugly
Bicycle Mechanics
12
07-30-11 09:02 PM
