purefreedom

As a rule of thumb, if you take spacers out and lower the handle bars, do you also lower the seat as well?

Im asking because on a 30 mile slow ride on sunday, my buddy who I was riding with told me that I looked a little scrunched on the bike and he suggested I raise the seat up just a bit. After doing so, I felt a little better in the saddle...at the end of the ride, he suggested that I try a longer stem, I have a 90mm on the bike now...well today I decided to experiment buy taking out 2 spacers to drop the bars...I went for a ride and I definately like the more aggressive position so far, but should I put the seat back to a lower position now that I lowered the handle bars? Thanks

Ex Pres 

No, not if you feel your new saddle position is better.

umd

One has nothing to do with the other. Saddle height is about leg extension.

Flatballer

No, definitely not.

The saddle height is the first thing that gets set in a fit, the rest follows off of that.

Feaduin

Yes, dial in your saddle height, then figure out what stem/spacer configuration feels best to you.

purefreedom

so ill probably leave things were they are now as a base...then go out on Thursday for some flat laps and bring the allen wrench with me! lol

How many people are stiff when it comes to stretching but ride with slammed stems? everyone says slamming a stem is all about flexibility, but I seem to like the stretched out position...

umd

Flexibility helps, but there are many factors including the bike's geometry and body proportions. If someone has long arms and a bike with a tall headtube they may have a "slammed" stem even without great flexibility. Another thing people don't think about is the belly factor. If you've got a gut it's going to be harder to bend over for a big drop.

SharpStone30888

I have very long legs and arms, but a short torso.

When they did my fit, yes they did do saddle height first, then they do fore/aft. My saddle is all the way back due to my long legs. But my short torso (don't know why my long arms) tends to make my reach a bit short. My lower back is stiff and hurts about 30 mins into a ride, I have to get on the tops for a few mins to relieve the pain. I have been doing a few hamstring stretches lately (it could be an attributing factor). Hopefully it all settles in. I have noticed that the pain was easier this weekend rather than last (maybe I'm getting used to it slightly).

When they fitted me we almost went from a 100mm stem to a 90mm stem to help with the fit. In a few months if the problem is still there I may have to go that route.

No belly factor here I try and get real low, sternum to the top tube would be great but not yet

Chris

purefreedom

ok, so im going to leave the bike in its current configuration right now...test it with about 20 miles on Thurs when it stops raining...i see this is gonna just be some trial and error am i correct? kind of like getting the settings down on a motorcycle at the track, go out do a few laps, come back in, try something new...i get it...and coming from riding motorcycles, i definately am use to the aero position for extended periods of time...so since my buddie moved the seat hight up one notch from what I got fitted for, honestly, how should the leg extension be when completly at the bottom of the pedal stroke? maybe 98% extension? more or less? Thanks

X-LinkedRider

+1 leg extension and hand positioning are not directly affecting each other. You might feel more comfortable one way or the other, but I think leaving your legs as extended as possible is best for you.

Metzinger

Try these.

kimconyc

You should not have to lower the saddle if you lower your bars. However, if you raise the seatpost, all things equal, you will have to move the saddle forward to keep the same fore/aft position.

If you just lower the bars only, the only thing that might possibly be required is getting a shorter stem if you want to keep the exact same reach/hand position to your bars.

Psimet2001 

^ - This.