Inpd

Where do you come up with these amazingly strong conclusions about something you know nothing about? There are a few of us on this forum who own the bike and I asked them what their height/inseam etc was and what size they bought and went from there. Bike fits well, I did have some hand issues but that was due to saddle tilt.

I just don't know how you can draw all these conclusion from a bike you've never even seen let alone ridden. It's the equivalent of naval gazing but on geo charts ...

As for wanting to be stretched out: i) as a guy in their 30s I can and ii) it does make riding fast more fun as your lower and the experience is more engaging.

Plenty of us who've been riding for under a few years use them especially as its quite windy where I live.

shelbyfv

Remember that it has been well established that OPs centuries are not what most of us call a century....

Dan333SP

How many years of riding do you need before aerobars stop offering any benefit?

joejack951

You don't need a bike that's too big to be 'lower.' In fact, had you bought the correct size Venturi, you'd have a perfect bike for getting very, very low, and probably fairly comfortably. Instead, the only reason you have a low-ish position is because you are reaching so far, and as you are finding the result of overreaching is very uncomfortable hands.

If you truly wanted to be low on your bike, you'd flip that stem and remove every spacer. But it would have to fit to allow you do that.

rpenmanparker 

Huh? You mean that it is surprising that an experienced cyclist would know how a bike would fit based on its published geometry? After 33 years of road cycling and building countless bikes up from frames and parts, I can assure you it is neither a mystery nor difficult. You can't fool the numbers. The Venturi is so abnormal as to be its own category.

69chevy

I have never seen a road bike in the wild with aerobars on it.

noodle soup

I love how some Venturi buyers can't accept the fact that they bought a bike that doesn't fit.

joejack951

Really? I see them all the time, typically being ridden by older folks sitting practically bolt-upright.

Dan333SP

To be fair, riders in ultra distance races like RAAM use them because it can save a ton of time with sustained headwinds and offers another position to move your upper body into during extremely long days on the bike.

joejack951

Yes, on occasion I have seen guys/gals who at least appear to understand the reason for aerobars using them on road bikes. Mostly when I'm at the Jersey shore where headwinds can be brutal.

Which reminds me of something, INPD, have you ever seen this seatpost? https://www.redshiftsports.com/dual-position-seatpost/

Perhaps it might help you in your current situation.

chaadster

This is a stupid discussion.

First, the Venturi is not designed to run aero bars. That's what bikes they call Time Trial and Triathlon are designed for, and why they have geometries distinct from typical road (racing) bikes.

Second, @Inpd, it sounds like you've got a 120mm stem on there, so why not just put a shorter stem on it to bring the aerobars in closer? Not that I think putting aerobars on the Venturi is a great idea-- it seems a little too reactive for that to be a stable platform, especially in wind-- but it seems that a shorter stem would certainly help.

69chevy

Don't stomp in here and try to stop the few threads that are active by pointing out the obvious.

chaadster

Whoops. Sorry!

rpenmanparker 

You are absolutely correct.

shelbyfv

The irony of this post surely escapes you. The fact is that many folks who have been riding awhile actually can look at a geometry chart and tell if a bike will fit them the way they want. As a new and relatively low mileage rider, you've graced us with the detailed sagas of at least two bikes that you thought would be great but didn't turn out to be satisfactory. Maybe instead of searching the internet for the next great deal, you should go to a bike shop and get fitted for a bike you can actually ride. Trust me, riding a bike is more fun than chasing "bargains" online, especially when the bargains don't pan out.

Inpd

No way

and No way again

The geo charts have so many variables. Just with respect to S-T distance I've seen it measured C-C, C-T, C-B etc.

The Venturi geo chart doesn't list stack and reach and you can't calculate it because they don't say how the other measurements are calculated.

For what its worth I was going to buy the medium (51cm) instead of the large (54cm) but a few people with similar builds to me said the large was a better fit for them (hence me).

Aero bars in the strong wind are amazing for long or short distances. See a lot of people with them around where I live.

Inpd

I think those of us who live in windy areas (I'm talking 15+mph consistently in some times of the day) would say its crazy *not* to have aero bars. In my part of town the afternoon breeze is wicked.

I do have a shorter stem (60mm) but I feel cramp when I put it on.

The solution is to find aero bars where the pads are closer to me rather than change the stem so the pads are closer.

rpenmanparker 

Your naivety is impressive. But don't let people who know better advise you. That wouldn't be consistent with your prejudice. Confirmation bias is a scary thing.

rpenmanparker 

How can you from 100-120 mm to 60 mm stem and expect a positive result. Of course the shorter stem makes you feel cramped. It is almost 2.5 inches shorter than the long one. Try taking off 10 mm at a time if you want to be successful. Surely there is a slightly shorter stem that puts the pads right without cramping you.

shelbyfv

INPD, you continue to embarrass yourself. Of course a geo chart won't work for you or any other novice because you don't know what fit you need to be comfortable and efficient on the bike. You have to ask people on the internet which of two sizes will fit you? We see how that worked out! It's not rocket surgery. You learn the dimensions that are important to you and how they can be measured. For example, I don't give a flying eff about ST. 20mm one way or the other doesn't matter. What I'm particular about is ETT and HT. Also BB drop. On the other hand, I have a friend who is particular about ST in that he doesn't like compact frames, doesn't like his legs to rub a sloping TT. You can continue to flail around and make poor choices or you can go to a shop and let someone help you get on a bike you can actually ride. Why waste another year?

pdedes

ETT is likely the most important dimension in sizing a road bike. coupling that with stem length and trail to optimize handling and you're well on your way. the breezer was designed to use a slightly shorter than normal stem (sub 120mm) to accommodate it's trail. it's my best fitting, best handling bike.

joejack951

Just curious, on those other 54 or 56cm bikes you have owned, how long are the effective top tubes and what length stems were you using? Most bikes in that size range (measured C-C) come with top tubes around 54.5-56.5cm and 110mm stems. Unless you happened to be on some other oddball frame the math seems to indicate that you need to go with a 90 or 100mm stem, or possibly even an 80mm stem, on your Venturi.

Have you tried any of those sizes for an extended period?

rpenmanparker 

The long story-short version of your question is why does OP suddenly want such a long reach when it has not been what he has been comfortable with all along. Is it just because that is what he mistakenly got into? He has steadfastly refused to address that question for us.

noodle soup

your Breezer is the only one I've seen that looks like it fits the rider. Most have a huge stack of spacers, and a flipped up stem.

chaadster

I guess you're thinking of facing headwinds, as aero bars degrade fine control in crosswinds, and as someone who does primarily group riding, that makes aero bars a non-starter for me, particularly on a bike as quick handling as the Venturi. For solo riders, I can appreciate this may be less of a concern.