Sled Driver

Hi all,

I have been lurking on here for some time absorbing as much as I can. It seems I found a good knowledge base here..

I have an 05 Roubaix Elite (52cm) that fits my oddly proportioned 5'7'' body well. I have a rather long inseam for my height (32'') and a short upper body, which gives my top tube & stem combo 63.5 cm.

A few days ago I flipped the stem from a +10 to a -8, because I noticed I can climb better with the 2.25 inch drop. However, it seems that I have to push myself back on the saddle more often (the saddle is level). I'm thinking that since my center of gravity has changed, I now need to move my saddle fore or aft on the rails?? I can't seem to figure this one out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and yes I did a search.

Regards,

~Rich

Mentor58

When you flipped the stem and lowered the bar, that effectively increased the length of the stem. Now you have a slightly longer reach, and that may be causing the problem. I've always been told that you use the rails to adjust position relative to the pedals, and the stem to adjust the upper body position. Your mileage may vary.

Steve W

4SEVEN3

sounds reasonable. Maybe push it bit foreward and see how ya like it??

johnny99

This is a good article on setting your fore-aft saddle position: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

Sled Driver

Thanks for the replies. I did notice that i became slightly more stretched out... I'm just not sure if I'm pushing back because the seat is to far or too close..

It seem logical that scooting forward means that I need to move up a little. now this would bring me directly in the KOPS position instead of about .5 centimeters behind.

Regards,

~Rich.

WaitUpForMe

Technique-wise, it can be helpful to slide back on the saddle while climbing. If it's not something you're doing on purpose, or if you're about to slide right off the back, that could pose a problem.

Sled Driver

Hmmm... I tend to end up more toward the nose of the saddle on seated climbs. I have yet to feel like I will slide off the back.

~Rich

marcpotash

Just like you noticed you ride better with a 2.25" drop, you will, by trail and error, figure out your saddle position. If it feels right, it is right.

late

Get a shorter stem.

Sled Driver

Well said. I had no idea that such minor changes in distances would make such a large change in performance/comfort.

~Rich

Sled Driver

Stem is already a 90. That still brings me .8cm shy of what wrench science suggests.

~Rich