Handlebar angle
 

Hi guys,

Just wondering how my angle looks and if it would be acceptable to tilt them up a few degrees? The more I bike the more comfortable I am, however, I still feel a tiny bit stretched when on the hoods.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=423491
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=423493
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=423495

Absolutely.

In the past it was popular to turn up the handlebars a bit.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=423515

Your bars look quite level which is fairly common for the bars, but I'd set your bike up however you find it most comfortable.

How high is the seat in relation to the bars?
Your stem is short, but there are also shorter stems.

That picture is ridiculous haha.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=423532

You could also try a compact bar with a shorter reach and drop.

I normally tilt my handlebars up a bit so the drops are not quite parallel to the ground. I spend a lot of time in the drops and find that it's more comfortable if I don't have to bend my wrists.

Your bicycle already has the shorter stem (turned up to raise the bars).... nothing wrong there. It looks like you've moved the brifters up... or back slightly as well. Tilting it back would be the next step in both raising (adding height) to the bars as well as very slightly positioning them rearward. Should I assume you've also moved the saddle forward and lowered the seat to the point where you have slight knee discomfort on long rides?

There isn't anything wrong with your adjustments. And titling the handlebars up a few degrees will NOT hurt the bikes appearance.

But it possible that the bike is properly set-up (or was) and that additional adjustments and changes are just putting it further out of what would be a proper (and comfortable) fit. Or... it could be the bike is a bit too large for you. It's impossible to tell from this vantage point. Youtube videos might help you with the setup:

I bought the bike used a few months ago, first road bike. I didn't do a professional fit but I did spend a good hour or two with my buddy fitting it with some of the top YouTube videos as a guide. Throughout the fit, I did not adjust anything with the handlebars. I did my first 50 mile ride last week and all was good (except my taint which I realized is due to my saddle being almost 20 mm too narrow) however, I just feel a tiny bit stretched on the hoods still. I believe the bike is the proper size and I'd rather not use a shorter stem (90 currently) if not necessary. I guess I was just curious if it would be unusual to have the bars tilted up a few more degrees. Judging by the increments that show on the front of the bars I'm guessing itd be no problem since there are still a few notches left.

There were a lot of old bikes ridden around with the handlebars turned up. I never understood it either.

Someone earlier said my bike is a "French Fit"... so I suppose I'm partial to larger frames.

I'd encourage you to do a bit more riding before doing any more drastic changes. There is a lot of information about seat fit. However, I'd encourage you to put a few hundred miles on the seat and the rest of the system before stressing over it. Most people get a little saddle sore after their first ride, or perhaps every spring after their first spring ride.

i heard THIS GUY had his bars flatter on top than most with his brakes higher up and more back on the bars than most of his competitors when he started.
For what it's worth....

A little tilt upwards should be fine.

It can take a little time to get used to riding a road bike. Remember the riding position is a three point perch (saddle, bars, and pedals). Road bikes aren't cruisers where you plop your butt on a seat and steer. Being a little "mature" [pronounced: old] myself... I can feel a little too stretched as well at times. Particularly when it's colder outside. However in August... I am all over the bike.

Welcome to road cycling! Give the feeling of comfort on the bike a little time, don't over-do, and have fun. You've got a nice Trek too... BTW.

I wouldn't tilt the bars up any further. If anything, I'd tilt them the other way a hair. Your brifters look like they are in exactly the right spot. You want to be able to drop your forearms until you can lay your wrists on the bar top, holding the outside of the hoods, little finger behind the bar, thumb on top of the hoods. That's your fast hoods position and it should be comfortable for your hands and wrists. If you tilt your bars up further, you lose the support of the bar top for your wrists.
Lovely Bicycle!: Drop Bar Hand Positions: an Introduction
http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post12953035

Have no Brifters on my Bikes . i almost level the tops. ..

but that is the type he apparently Has .. the ramp has been much longer, the top and bottom less parallel.. before ..

Popular amongst the court ordered bike rider, set, Those who had their Driver's Licence revoked .

There is no reason not to turn your bars up a couple more degrees. Make small changes and only change one thing at a time, as non-handlebar adjustments can also seem to affect the way the bars feel.

I am curious, however, why you don't want to swap stems? If you feel the problem is too long of a reach, then shorten the reach! Turning the handlebars will mostly move the brake hoods up at first, and the more you turn them the larger the backwards movement becomes, and by that time you will definitely have them turned so far up that they look weird.

So my recommendation is to get a shorter stem, but keep the original one for when you are more comfortable on the bike and can get stretched out more easily... it is common to start the season with your bike set up one way and gradually move towards a slightly different setup - more stretched out, for instance - by the end of the season.

The farther you tilt it up the more awkward it will be to shift while in the drops. Just a thought to add to your evaluation.

I appreciate all the feedback. I thiNk I'm going to bite the bullet and just do a professional fit at the LBS and take it from there.