New bars, new problem
 

Swapped my flimsy stock bullhorns for some Nitto RB021. Overall very happy with the purchase but now I have one small problem... the Nittos drop 0.5-1.0 inches more than the stock horns did. So now when I'm in the drop position it feels slightly uncomfortable to look straight ahead (neck/shoulders don't like it).

I can do it for a couple minutes and then switch positions, etc, but I'd like to know what's the best way to correct this?

There is no room on my steer tube for the stem to be raised. The stem is a 90mm with 17 degree rise. Lowering my seat seems like the way wrong answer, but I'd be willing to nudge it down a centimeter or two just to see if it helps.

I love the bars. I like the middle position and the corner position a lot. The size and width are perfect - stock bars were very wide at 45cm and these Nittos are 42cm. Great bars, great fit, but this one nagging issue.

Perhaps I'll adjust? Maybe my back/shoulder muscles just need to HTFU? :p

Every time I've tried the RB021's, I experienced the same issue enough for me to not purchase them. They make some mountain bike stems that have more rise, but look rather silly. Perhaps a shorter stem might alleviate the issue a bit?

Forgot to include photo. Does it look like I have too much drop from saddle to bars? It doesn't seem like it to me but it sure feels like it.
http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/r...7/bf7bd6eb.jpg

Not too much drop, but too much reach. That's one of the main problems with bullhorns. Most people run shorter stems to accomodate this. Since you were running bullhorns before(comfortably I presume?), I'm not sure it's an applicable suggestion here.

Yeah man, good call. So obvious too. haha. I've heard of stems as short as 40mm ... that may be just the ticket!

But a shorter stem would mean lowering the bars so I'm not sure how much benefit there would be. Might be a wash.
Also, I was out late drinking whiskey last night so maybe I'm just sore and dehydrated and should give it some time before making any decisions.

You lower the bars but you bring your hands closer which lets you sit more upright. There use to be an app for this but I can't find it.

How long is your current stem? Sometimes it doesn't take a dramatic change in equipment to experience a positive change in comfort. If you got a shorter 17° stem, reducing the reach, the increase in drop would be negligible.

Current stem is 17° and 90mm

I'd move to a 17°/70mm for starters. You don't want to put a super chode stem on there or it will affect your handling notably.

Scrod might be able to get one if you PM him, although maybe Dimension doesn't make that combination.

Perhaps this one?
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...6&category=630

If your sadle height and fore/aft position is good, do not change it to accommodate bars. The relationship between your butt and pedals should be set before you set the relationship between your butt and your handlebars.

Your only good options are to:

a) Get a longer stem at +17 degrees to raise your bars more. Or use a +24 degree stem.

b) Use shallow bars.

You eliminated your 3rd option by cutting your steerer tube, that option being raise the stack under the stem.

Go check out your local co-op. You can probably just test a few. Or a good shop for that matter.

Cool thanks man. Good info.
Also, I didn't cut the tube - I bought the bike new and that's how the shop did it (Performance Bike on Halsted Street). But yeah I hear ya, that would be the easiest fix (add a spacer).

Hate to be a **** but that frame looks way too small, like several cm. Going to be hard to get a good fit with pursuit bars.

Perhaps a tad, yes. No offense taken though. It's a 61cm which is the largest frame SE makes. But yeah sometimes I feel like it's a little too small for a 6'4" man but I'm kind of a weakling so it's nice to have a bike I can manage.

Also, start stretching after rides. Focus on the hamstrings first but stretch everything. Increased flexibility makes you faster, stronger and a better rider overall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...9aa46ca4_b.jpg

Well the ride home was more comfy for sure. Could have been stiff sore hangover issues this morning causing the discomfort. Guess I shouldn't have expected to change bars and not feel different.
Ordered the 70mm +35 degree stem anyways though. Worth a try. Might dig it. Cheap enough too.

Your body might just need time to get used to the new position. Flexibility helps.

Got the new stem on Saturday. It raised the bars and brought them closer to the saddle a little bit, and it definitely helped.

Today my package from Retrogression arrives. It includes Nitto bar plugs and Tektro cross levers. I'll be removing my bar-end lever and going cross lever instead. Then my handlebar situation should be good to go. Thanks for the assistance, gang.

You saddle could also be impeding your comfort with more drop. That looks like a B17 and they are not really meant for bikes with the bar so much lower than the saddle. I rode with one on my steel road bike, that doesnt have a lot of drop, and I could feel it rub in all the wrong places.

but I dont have your butt

True!!! Thanks for saying this. Seriously. The B17 hits me right in the goods when I really lean forward. I can combat that by dropping the nose a bit, but then I slide forward on the seat.

Ugh. The struggles we go through...
Would a Team Pro do me better? Or something like a Swift?

Perhaps a saddle with a cutout for the perineum? They really help on bikes with a notable amount of saddle:bar drop.

Yeah I've been looking at those but I like the look and feel of a Brooks. I've been using Brooks for 4+ years exclusively and it's hard to pay $100+ to try something else.

Isn't there a decent saddle for $40 somewhere?

I just got this one for less than $40:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...8L._AA300_.jpg
(Selle Italia Q-Bik Flow Steel on Amazon, if the clicky picture doesn't work right.) For me it feels a little narrow though I'm getting used to it (it's 140mm) but for you I bet it'd be ok.

ETA: I do have to tilt the nose down a bit to be comfy on it, but not too much. Plus I think Selle makes their saddles with droopy noses in mind. If you want to try it out sometime, let me know. You can borrow it for a bit.