I have noticed some pictures have a massive saddle to bar drop distance, others do not.

What is the purpose of this drop? Is it an issue that is addressed when you are fitted on a bike? Is this a personal 'feel' issue? Also, what is the difference between using stem angle vs. lowering/raising the stem height on the steerer tube? Aren't they essentially two different methods for acheiving the same result?

I ride a 63cm frame with a 130mm stem at 10 degrees. My saddle height is adjusted based on my leg extension. The overall drop from the saddle to my handlebars is relatively small. I can't say for sure but it may be around 2 inches, maybe a little less. I have about 3/4 an inch worth of spacers.

Perhaps I am slightly concerned becasue this was not addressed when I was fit on my bike. My saddle height and fore/aft were adjusted as so was my stem angle, but that was about it.

For the most part I am fairly comfortable when riding. I do experience some discomfort in my hands and have alot of weight placed on them. I have considered trying a 120mm stem to see how that feels. I find riding in the drops is sometimes more comfortable and alleviates the pain somewhat. Bending my elbows to form a near 90 degree angle helps some, too.

What do you think? Is this a fit issue, aesthetics? Should I not even worry about it?

Some guys just have crazy-long torsos and arms compared to their legs...

This guy would probably ride a bit more upright on a normal bike, the Cervelo P2/P3 bikes have relatively short head tubes compared to the rest of the frame size.

(Not my photo)

Take a look at this, which shows three styles of "fit" for a bike
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

Having your back as flat as possible is the most aero position. A big drop assists in getting a flat back. It's a trade off between comfort, and aerodynamics. All else being equal, more drop is likely to make your more aero but less comfortable. How much drop is right for you depends on 1) your flexibility, 2) how you value comfort vs. speed 3) the particulars of your body i.e. leg to torso length, arm lentgh etc.

The big drops are due to the fact that most pro bikes are smaller than they are fit for. This means less weight, stiffer bike, better aero, etc. Face it these guys are smaller and in much better shape and usually very flexable. Flexablity has alot to do with saddle to handlebar drop.

If your stem angle was addressed during fitting that indicates to me that saddle to handlebar drop distance was considered.

Make sure your saddle is level. Try some gloves with less padding on the palm. That helped me.

Give it some time and if your still concerned get a second opinion.

Good luck.....

if it's in a very specific area only, you might also be interested in the specialized "bar phat" type under-tape padding, it comes in two different thicknesses (1 or 3mm?) of foam.

Ok cool, thanks for all the inputs. I forgot to consider especially that the pros use the smaller bikes for weight and stiffness purposes.

I guess since my bike frame size fit me just right, that I didn't end up needing any big drops or measurements.

I might play with things a little to see if I can get a better position.

I have considered the Bar Phat before, but haven't tried it yet. Is it regular bar tape or is it padding that goes under the bar tape?

Thanks again for all the input, keep it coming!

My Specialized came with the tape already mounted, so I'm not certain, but it looks like an extra-thick cork tape which comes with extra rubber pads you wrap underneath at the tops, and other pressure areas:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...lized_bar_phat

i really don't think the discomfort in your hands is related to the amount of drop or the legth of your stem. In fact if you increased the drop its going to put more pressure on your hands. I think in large degree its conditioning. You say its more comfortable on the drops. That's a major advantage of drop bars, lots of positions. Use them, move your hands from the tops to the hoods, to the drops.

So aside from everything else, it seems I really shouldn't worry that my drop is relatively shallow compared to others?

It seems that this large drop is based on personal measurements and frame size.

I've got a bit over 4 inches of drop with the bike set up changed dramatically from how it was a while back. It has less to do with frame size than you might think. My semi-compact Orbea is set up about the same way that my traditional Cannondale was back in the day. Bike fit has a lot to do with goals, fitness (including flexibility), etc. etc. etc. as well as the biomechanics of it all.

You shouldn't worry about any aspect of another rider's bike fit, in general. Get it set up so that you're efficient and comfy and ride it like you stole it.

You may find that over time you will drop your bars. It has to do with your physical condition and core strength. It also has to do with time on the bike. Over the past couple of years I have slowly increased my saddle to bar drop by a couple of inches. This has increased the power I am able to deliver to the pedals, it has also decreased the amount of wind I have to push.

I am just as comfortable with more drop now as I was with less drop back then. Not sure if this makes sense or not.

I'm pretty sure it's actually just regular cork tape with gel pads (not just foam) that you put underneath.

Imaging a gym full of people doing toe touches. Some can touch their toes, some can flatten their palms on the floor and some can barely touch their knees.

Now imagine fitting that same population of people on road bikes. Some are going to need their handlebars to be higher than others.

There are two different models of it. One model has the gel you can put underneath the bar tape. The other model, which is what I use, is just a little thicker, better padded bar tape.

I have hardly any drop on my bike. I am 41 and lacking the flexibility I used to have. I also ride on the hoods 95% of the time. I used to be able to touch my palms on the ground; now I can barely touch the fingertips.

Gotcha.

Lance Armstrong has a shallow drop too. In fact , i think a shallow drop looks better when you are on the bike , it makes you and the bike seem more proportional. BTW i noticed that the pros mount their bikes by seating on the saddle first then clipping in. I can't master this move....does anyone have any tips?

All of the above is true but also add flexibility. I'm very flexible so when doing my power fit I was able to get a pretty decent drop, 3.75". Now most people measure drop by running straight edge from the top of the saddle then measuring to the top of the bars. Most don't take into account the amount of drop in bars themselves. So you may be comfortable on the tops but if your bars have a deep drop then you may not be comfortable in the drops. My coach did my power fit in the drops so my saddle to bar drop was a usable one.

This is such an important point. Proper bike fit should provide you with a good starting point, then you need to adjust based feel and comfort.

I run a rather high drop myself.

For me it was done for two reasons:

1) performance: Less wind resistance means I can ride longer, or ride faster in heavy headwinds.

2) comfort: I have too much bend in my wrists on a higher bar, so I run teh bar as low as possible, so that my wrists are more relaxed. Of course my beer belly and my drops don't play well together...to get into the drops I have to fight my stomach, but on the tops of the bars to the hoods, it's pure comfort.

I think a huge part of this is just fashion combined with a lot 'compact geometry' frames. Looks silly IMHO. Kinda like all this stem flipping B.S. Get a bike that's fitted for cryin' out loud.

That depends on your idea of what fits. I have a custom frame that was built just for me, the way I wanted it. It fits "me" perfect. I just happen to prefer compact geometry.

I don't care much for traditional geometry. That is just my opinion. It doesn't mean I think that people that prefer traditional geometry are wrong.

Just because you don't like compact geometry doesn't mean that it doesn't "fit" people.

Do you clip in before sitting on the saddle?? How else can you do it?

True. That said, it's frequently used as a method by mass producers to 'make' a bike fit through the use of various other bits. Traditionally, different stems/posts/bars were for fine tuning. You like compact: have at it. One of my drop bar bikes is compact. Infer a bit less.