i've been a member here for the last few months and have always wondered what "flipping it" meant, until i seen a thread with pictures the other day. Why do people do this? Is there advantages? or is it just a preference thing? mine is down at the moment, but thinking to "flip it" to see what all the fuss is....

your replies are appreciated, cheers

By the way, i've been on the look out for a Bianchi team jersey, the green one with the white band around the middle, the one Ullrich wore a few year ago. do any of you know where i can purchase 1, i've searched everywhere on the web but can't find anything....

More aerodynamic in lower position.

If you're already used to the lower position, don't bother flipping. Not only is the lower position more aero, but it also allows the gluteus maximus to have a greater share in power production. Now if only I could figure out a position that would allow my gut to have a greater share in power production, I could go pro.

I have heard of some folks flipping to the higher position in the winter, after injury, or a long layoff.

Looks cooler.

CDI factor = Chicks Dig It

i think a lot of things on this forum are done to look cooler...

Racers' handlebars tend to be quite a bit lower than their seats, and one way of getting the bars down is to flip the stem, so it's level instead of pointing up. Since we all aspire to be racers, we feel this is one of the ways we can become more like them. If you look like a racer, you must be a racer.

Something like that.

The Bianchi USA online store has them:

https://store.bianchiusa.com/index.p...d=19&Itemid=26

Actually, they're similar, but I think the one Ullrich wore had a sub-sponsor or two on it. This one just has the white band and "Bianchi", but it's almost the same. I've wanted one for a few years now, too.

edit: might've posted the wrong link:

https://store.bianchiusa.com/index.p...mart&Itemid=26

The writing on my stem is upside-down if I have it flipped up...I can't do that to the world.

Long, low, and somewhat down-pointing looks cool!! But seriously, the most important part about being aero, by a million miles, is getting the upper body down and out of the wind

I used to be a go-nowhere loser with a flipped up stem. I would get shelled on even the most subtle climbs. My cycling clothes were loose and flapped in the wind. Women pointed, laughed, and thought I was gay. Men didn't want to be around me, nor could my fellow cyclists peddle as slow as my maximum effort.

Then I flipped my stem.

Now I've been places and seen things previously reserved for the social elite. On recovery rides, I pass CAT1 riders in pacelines without even hitting triple digits on my heart rate. I must divide my time between riding and getting laid, and oftentimes I must leave the women chasing after me while I hop on my bike for a training ride. I developed a body that forces my clothing to cling to every square inch, highlighting my perfectly defined muscles. I got a promotion at work and now make six figures for an average 20-hour work week.

All from "flipping it".

I've got a friend who's stem was pointing down, but had many spacers under it. If he flipped the stem up, he could cut the fork shorter, while maintaining the same handlebar location. Would look cleaner, and technically shave weight.

Although, since he's having other problems, he flipped it up to raise his riding position a little. Less racer, but less hand-numbness.

Or if using non-drop bars like MTB, or some other riser/straight bars, you can flip it up to get a little more upright position.

I really don't know why people tell other people to do it... seems like a total personal thing to me.

I try to get as low as I comfortably can since my rides tend to be near the ocean and have considerable winds.

I see an immediate increase in speed for the same power output of 1.5 mph in my drops than on my hoods. So, the lower I can get, the easier it is.

But racers also use frames smaller than what a commercial fit would recommend.. I think something about better handling..

So OP if you are using smaller frame for your height, then flipping it might not be the greatest idea.. At least for me it wasnt..

LOL, Flipping It has a totally different meaning on the C&V forum. Over there it means buying a used bike real cheap, cleaning/fixing it and selling for more $$.
EDIT: I can just picture someone on the C&V trying to figure out how to "flip" an old, 1" threaded road bike stem.

Superb ST, thanks very much for that & thanks to everyone for the helpful replies(most of u)

Thirty years ago, the typical recreational and fitness cyclist set up his bike with the top of the bars level with the top of the saddle. That put the drops parallel to the top tube. This position made it comfortable for cyclists of any age to ride for extended periods in the drops.

After Greg LeMond won the Tour de France on the last day, in an ultra-low time trial position, it became "trendy" for recreational cyclists to ride in a time-trial position with the bars two, three, or four inches lower than the top of the saddle. Which puts the drops three or four inches lower than the top tube.

I run into folks all the time that say "I used to ride a road bike...it is hanging in my garage". The reason they hung up the bike? Neck pain. Back pain. Crotch pain. Hand and wrist pain. All the expected discomforts of riding with the bars three or four inches lower than the top of the saddle.

Aero benefits? Yes, a time trial riding position has an "aero" benefit at speeds of 30 mph or 35 mph. And, in a time trial, the cyclist is on a road closed to motor traffic, and there is no safety issue the results from having your nose down on the front tire...there are no vehicles the cyclist needs to be watching and avoiding.

So, what IS the benefit for riding with your bars three or four inches lower than the saddle? It enables a forty year old accountant, riding six blocks to Starbucks to LOOK like he is a pro cyclist (which is why he also is wearing the uniform of a pro team). Who cares about discomfort, pain, or being hit by a truck? Looking stylish is all that really matters if you ride a road bike.

Also, if you have a smaller frame, then the saddle will be higher relative to the handlebars. By moving, say, from a 58cm to a 56cm, you would be shortening both the seat tube and the top tube. Therefore, in order to be able to extend your legs and your torso/arms you would need a high seat and bars much lower.

Well said...hehehe.

" Now if only I could figure out a position that would allow my gut to have a greater share in power production, I could go pro."

A pro caliber gut needs to be large enough to propel your thighs downward in an explosive release of power once the compression phase of the stroke is complete. My guess is you are just another wannabe that lacks the dedication and willingness to drink enough beer to reach this level.

I guess people posting without reading the OPs post. If your stem is already down, you don't need to flip it.

Fixed it for you!

I second that fix.

It looks more pro. If you are wondering why anyone would want to do that, just ask alanbikehouston about the advantages.