Position help please

[keithc440]

Am I too low and or long on this bike please ? I am the one in the blue and yellow top, black helmet and clear glasses on the white Giant.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcycling/4840742718/in/set-72157624483689673/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcycling/4840734568/in/set-72157624483689673/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcycling/4840734778/in/set-72157624483689673/

Have not felt uncomfortable but it was pointed out recently that I am far too stretched out ? I am inclined to agree. On the tops I notice my hands sit a few centimeters behind the hoods. Watching everyone else they are on the hoods.
Problem is I have cut my steerer right down last year thinking the position was correct. I think a shorter stem might not be the solution and I need to go higher. New frame time ?

[Chrissylaa]

Try flipping your stem over.

It will shorten and raise your position and it's free.
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And the senses being dulled are mine.

[prince]

it is hard to say from the photo's. It doesn't look to bad.

Position can be such an individual thing that only by havinga play with different stem lenghts and maybe some riser stems (flip the stem over) will you be able to tell.

Ask a couple of friends to borrow some different lenght stems etc...

I alway find a simple test is to try and ride a 10mile TT on your drops and see if you can get the power out and then hold onto it without fighting your bike the whole time.

You then need to try a few above race pace efforts i.e. closing a gap, attempting to break clear of the bunch, for about 1 to 3 mins and again see if you can do it without fighting the bike.

These simple free tests should give you an idea about your position.

If these don't work go and see Andy *CENSORED* in Bristol for a bike fit. I can put you in touch if you want. Just let me know. he does a full laser testing bike fit service that is very good.

[Steve P]

Before you do the stem thing, check the saddle height, Saddle setback and cleat position. No point changing the stem if these are wrong.

[prince]

[keithc440]

My setback could come forward a bit. That is one to maybe try.

[Steve P]

[JONNO]

Looks like the guy behind you out of the Merc has a bigger problem. Anyhow if you are worried find a decent coach rather than knackering yourself and wasting time experimenting.
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I was being chased by a police dog last week, and made the mistake of trying to escape through a little tunnel, over a see-saw and through a hoop of fire. It finally caught me as I was weaving in and out of some sticks.

[prince]

[Tucker]

[stuart chatting]

Some more pins in you number would help
if you can not see your front hub past your bars when you are in the drops you have the bars in the right place ( try this it works ) got this from a very old cycling book

[JimmyRay]

Until teh third picture Iw as umming and ahhing. But that to me looks horribly stretched.

To be fair, your back in all three shots looks natural and happy, but your arms look like they are being asked big questions.

More than anything, I'd say it would affect handling more than anything else. Shorter and higher stem is what I'd be looking at.

As mentioned, flip your stem over, or even better, buy a stem 20mm shorter and flip it. Yeah, you'll feel like a dick to start with, but actually, over a short amount of time, you'll realise its all the others trying to contort their bodies into unrealistic positions that are the dicks.

A bit of a beef in my bonnet... when ahead headset systems came into existence and use on the road, suddenly roadies front ends dropped 40mm. Before ahead systems, everyone was happy and arrow, using a longer stem to get a more aero position... the thought of replicating taht position and having 40mm of ugly spacers didn't sit well, so suddenly everyone was super flexible.

I don't buy into it

Look at the third phot, the guy in front of you IMO has good angle in his arms for the position and effort. I'd try and replicate that.

[mattr]

[martin smith]

if it's comfortable, what's the problem?
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Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

[JONNO]

[Steve P]

[keithc440]

Thanks for all the replies. Think I will be trying flicking the stem to start with and then a shorter stem (flicking if necessary). I think JimmyRay's comments about handling are right. I'm comfortable but feel that my hands should be able to get a more forward and firmer grip on the bars for cornering and putting in harder efforts. A bit higher and shorter is where I think I need to be myself.
It was Paul Hewitt's where I had the fitting. Impressed with how quickly he replicated my current position on the JIG. His adjustments certainly sorted the reach out but I felt far to forward in saddle (all the weight on my arms and nuts) that I don't feel I could ride in that position for long. Still have all his measurements though so it's something I may try but I think just a bit higher and shorter in the stem would do the trick.

[JONNO]

On a simple 'style and street cred' point I have just checked the worlds top 25 best bike riders ever, out. None of them seem to have 'flipped their stem' as you put it. http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/alltime25.asp
_________________
I was being chased by a police dog last week, and made the mistake of trying to escape through a little tunnel, over a see-saw and through a hoop of fire. It finally caught me as I was weaving in and out of some sticks.

[martin smith]

[Billy Boy]