Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fitting Your Bike
Reload this Page >

Straight seat post or shorter stem

Search
Notices
Fitting Your Bike Are you confused about how you should fit a bike to your particular body dimensions? Have you been reading, found the terms Merxx or French Fit, and don’t know what you need? Every style of riding is different- in how you fit the bike to you, and the sizing of the bike itself. It’s more than just measuring your height, reach and inseam. With the help of Bike Fitting, you’ll be able to find the right fit for your frame size, style of riding, and your particular dimensions. Here ya’ go…..the location for everything fit related.

Straight seat post or shorter stem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-16-21 | 03:25 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 151
Likes: 25

Bikes: Scott Addict Rc 20/Giant SCR / Felt FR5 / Trek Emonda ALR 6 / Trek Domane AL2

Straight seat post or shorter stem

What is in this scenario most natural / normal to do except of course to change the frame, when the saddle can not move further forward and I need to get 10-20 mm forward due to pain in the lower back after riding, I'm still fine in the arms / shoulders after riding!
hsea17
hsea17 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-21 | 10:00 AM
  #2  
Iride01's Avatar
Facts just confuse people
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,429
Likes: 7,118
From: Mississippi

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Unless you are putting out megawatts of power for your entire ride, probably a shorter stem. Unless this is some second hand bike that someone put a post on with a unusually large setback.

I just went from a 100 mm stem to a 70 mm stem on my Tarmac and I really like that I shortened it. But which ever you can find inexpensively to try will give you an answer of what to spend real money on.

One hint as to whether being able to move the saddle forward more is whether you slide forward too far when you pedal harder. Though that can also be other things, like too long a stem or saddle tilt. But if those things seem already within reason based on your elbow bend and what looks right for your saddle angle, then maybe your saddle should be moved forward.
Iride01 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-21 | 05:40 PM
  #3  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 151
Likes: 25

Bikes: Scott Addict Rc 20/Giant SCR / Felt FR5 / Trek Emonda ALR 6 / Trek Domane AL2

Originally Posted by Iride01
Unless you are putting out megawatts of power for your entire ride, probably a shorter stem. Unless this is some second hand bike that someone put a post on with a unusually large setback.

I just went from a 100 mm stem to a 70 mm stem on my Tarmac and I really like that I shortened it. But which ever you can find inexpensively to try will give you an answer of what to spend real money on.

One hint as to whether being able to move the saddle forward more is whether you slide forward too far when you pedal harder. Though that can also be other things, like too long a stem or saddle tilt. But if those things seem already within reason based on your elbow bend and what looks right for your saddle angle, then maybe your saddle should be moved forward.
Thanks for the reply. I had a "retul fit" once, set me on a previous bike at a seat height 74.4 cm and saddle nose to middle of handlebar at 49.3 cm. On the pictured bike below I end up with saddle nose to handlebar on 53cm saddle pushed all way forward. Saddle height at 73.5cm. Picture below but unfortunately not great for seeing the saddle setback.
hsea17

Last edited by hsea17; 08-17-21 at 03:36 AM.
hsea17 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-21 | 07:33 AM
  #4  
Iride01's Avatar
Facts just confuse people
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,429
Likes: 7,118
From: Mississippi

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

If the frames of the two bikes are different enough geometries and tube lengths, then simply transferring measurements to your contact points will leave you in less than optimal position.

Different seat tube angles, reach of the bars and stem added to the frame reach, length of cranks, fork rake and head tube angle all can make a fitted position on one feel right but so wrong on another.

When you move your seat you are changing your position over the BB and that not only affects how much weight you feel on the bars, but more so how you perceive the fit of the bike itself. And the least weight on the bars you can get is not always the best fit for power output. At least not for me.

Last edited by Iride01; 08-17-21 at 07:37 AM.
Iride01 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-21 | 11:51 AM
  #5  
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
just another gosling
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,583
Likes: 2,690
From: Everett, WA

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

IMO saddle position w/r to BB is more important than stem length. Here's my bike fit primer, go through the adjustments in order, see what happens: How can I fitting my bike
__________________
Results matter

Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-21 | 07:33 PM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 151
Likes: 25

Bikes: Scott Addict Rc 20/Giant SCR / Felt FR5 / Trek Emonda ALR 6 / Trek Domane AL2

Below are the geometry on the two bikes in question however the dealer have offered to change the stem for free but because I don't feel uncomfortable in arms/shoulders when riding or after a ride I'm not sure if its that's the fit issue.

Geometry Details: Felt FR5 2019 (geometrygeeks.bike)

Geometry Details: Trek Emonda ALR 2016 (geometrygeeks.bike)

Compare: Felt FR5 2019: 54 -VS- Trek Emonda ALR 2016: 54 cm -VS- (geometrygeeks.bike)

Last edited by hsea17; 08-17-21 at 07:51 PM.
hsea17 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-21 | 10:45 PM
  #7  
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
just another gosling
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,583
Likes: 2,690
From: Everett, WA

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Originally Posted by hsea17
Below are the geometry on the two bikes in question however the dealer have offered to change the stem for free but because I don't feel uncomfortable in arms/shoulders when riding or after a ride I'm not sure if its that's the fit issue.

Geometry Details: Felt FR5 2019 (geometrygeeks.bike)

Geometry Details: Trek Emonda ALR 2016 (geometrygeeks.bike)

Compare: Felt FR5 2019: 54 -VS- Trek Emonda ALR 2016: 54 cm -VS- (geometrygeeks.bike)
Since bike fit is a combo of bike and physical geometry and centers of gravity, bike details are uninteresting. Just do the self-fit, see what happens. Even photos are uninteresting because one can't suss out muscular involvement or CG from looking at photos.
__________________
Results matter

Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Reply
Old 08-23-21 | 01:51 AM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 151
Likes: 25

Bikes: Scott Addict Rc 20/Giant SCR / Felt FR5 / Trek Emonda ALR 6 / Trek Domane AL2

I ended up with a straight seat post which I had from before and got myself a centimeter or so more forward and so far that function well and the irritable niggling in lower back is gone (knock on wood) and the stem will be at the length it is for now.
Thanks for all the information.
hsea17

Last edited by hsea17; 08-23-21 at 01:59 AM.
hsea17 is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.