boostbutt

I'm 180cm and 88kg (and dropping). Pic attached is my ride....a 54cm, 80's steel frame.

I've been fiddling around with the position for quite a while and finally, got to something which I find quite comfortable...but I have some concerns..

- saddle set back is EXTREME - am I gonna break something? BTW, this setback is based on the 'plumb-bob over the pedal spindle' bike fit
- my shimano 600 stem is right at the >>> MAX <<< line, is it safe to say bring it up by another 1cm (max)?
- thinking of moving the rear wheel a bit more to the back (I have campy dropout with adjustable screws)...but was wondering if its safe and how it will affect the ride....

I know I prob be better off on a 56cm (180cm for as a guideline is at the maximum that a 54cm frame is typically intended for...) frame but I just like this one so much!!

ridethecliche

Don't move rear wheel back.

Get a longer stem if you must. If you hit something with the stem up past insertion mark, you risk damaging the stem, the frame, and yourself.

Saddle looks okay. Just don't slam yourself down on it.

Your ride looks awesome!

harpsta

What length cranks are you running? and whats the effective length of your stem?

urodacus

your bike is too small, by at least 2 cm. i am 175 cm and just fit on another 54 cm Saronni.

changing the wheel position will not make your bike any bigger.

boostbutt

I'm running really small cranks at 170mm (but I like them, seemingly smoother and more comfortable, for some reason). Is that a concern? I've ridden a friends 172.5mm crank before but I still prefer the 170mm.

I measured the stem to be 90cm or so...its an old Shimano 600 stem.

To be exact, I'm right about 178cm.

boostbutt

upz..

Hocam

If you change to 180's you'll have to lower your saddle a cm, which would help things proportionally.

Knee over pedal is just a frame of reference, go with what feels right.

arakhnidef

Its sort of misleading when people post their heights and then talk about what size bike they ride. Some people can have really short or long torsos compared to their legs, or long or short femurs. I don't trust knee over pedal spindle for fitting because its open to too many interpretations, as to whether your feet are level, or if you're really sitting on the bike on the trainer the same way you wold be sitting if you were riding the bike. The hard way of finding setback is trying different ones, and adjusting height as you change them, you'll find your best aft when you feel the pedaling motion "feels" natural, then you work on getting your height right so you don't kill your knees and get some more power out of the bike. If this setback position is comfortable for you then that means you have really long femurs, I used to have my seats like that, as long as it's tight and you don't slam down on your seat as previously said you should be OK. But don't be afraid to try different afts to see how they work.

BikeIndustryGuy

there is nothing wrong with this setup.
you can't comment on bike fit without seeing the rider.

roshea

You could go for a seatpost with more setback and a longer stem to spread things out a bit more. Or send the bike my way - it would be perfect for me!

harpsta

dont rush out and get yourself a bigger bike just yet. Sounds as though you might be able to make it work. A longer stem, say 110mm, would be a good start.

Post pics of yourself on the bike.

TempestRS4

What he said ^^

boostbutt

think i'll go for a longer stem.

The Shimano 600 stem i have on right now is a 90mm. Looking for maybe a 110mm stem. Any recommendations? I'm currently looking at some NOS 3TTT stems, seems to have tons of them over Ebay right now...

ridethecliche

A 90 stem is pretty short.

3TTT makes good stems, totally go for one!

boostbutt

I wonder if I were to say tilt my handlebar a little bit higher and move my shifters away from the horizontal bars, will this also have the same effect as having a longer stem? since the shifter will be further away...I think will look weird though cos I believe the end of the drops will be pointing towards the rear dropout (I tend to like the more horizontal look....). any thoughts?

harpsta

Buy the stem.

pdedes

I'm your height, and that looks similar to my set up. I've always liked a slightly smaller, stiffer frame. Only difference is that I'm (still) fairly flexible through my hips and I stretch out with a 12cm stem. If your seat post is maxed, get a 300-350mm post.

Peter

pit_usa

Might follow ridethecliche.

damocles1

Or quit tickling it and just get a frame that fits properly...you should be on a 56cm at minimum, depending on your arm and leg length.

boostbutt

Remeasured my stem..its actually a 90mm stem. I will try and get a 110mm one...maybe with that I can move my seat a bit more to the front...but of course that plumb bob from the knee thing will be slightly in front of the pedal axle..

boostbutt

Update : Got myself a 120mm stem to replace the 100mm. Result : I don't need to set back my saddle to the max anymore and I feel better stretching out onto the hoods compared to previously. Much more comfortable. Thanks all for the advice!

Its a Shimano 600 NOS quill stem and its beautiful!

DannoXYZ 

What's your inseam-length? That's really the dimension you'd want to use for saddle-height and saddle set-back. I'm 165cm tall and ride a 54cm frame with saddle roughly in the middle of the rails and a 130mm stem.

HigherGround

With your current set up, is the seat post's max height line visible, or is it in the seat tube?

boostbutt

inseam about 83cm. height is 180cm.

seat post ">>> max height <<<" marking is half visible with current setup...

ridethecliche

I'd probably feel a little more comfortable having a longer seatpost then.