Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Drop bar adjustments?

Started by kaian · · Last activity · 3 posts · 754 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
4 October 2004
Last activity
5 October 2004
Original author
kaian
Posts
3
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Public discussion
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754
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Topics
Bike fitContact pointsCrank arm lengthReturning after a long break

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  1. Original post
    kaian
    Archived post
    #1

    Over the weekend, I did a 40 mile ride. This was a lot considering I just started cycling in August. I feel great and don't feel like I overdid it! 🙂 However, I did notice something...

    I'm wondering if my drop bars are not adjusted right. I can't ride in the position with my hands on the brake hoods for very long at all. I get uncomfortable. I almost feel like I am bent in half when I am riding like that and my arms/elbows get stiff. I am getting shorter cranks (165mm) put on my bike at the end of this week and I know that will help my riding. When I get the new cranks, I am assuming I will have to readjust my seat and maybe some other things. Any thoughts on this?

    When I bought the bike, the only test the guy did was the front hub test (can you see the hub?). No, I can't see the hub, but I'm wondering if maybe the bars need to be rotated up more or if the stem needs to be raised or replaced. I know it's hard to tell without looking at me, but I was hoping for some feedback. I feel like the bike fits, but that some things are a little off?

    What is the correct angle my back should be at when I am riding with my hands on the brake hoods? Also, what should it feel like? Should I feel like most of the weight is on my hands or should it be evenly distributed on my arms and butt. ???

    I've only been riding for 2 months, so again, I'm not sure what's right.

    I'm 5 ft tall. 27-28 inch inseam. I'm riding a 50 cm (compact frame) XS Specialized Allez Triple.

    Any thoughts on this are appreciated. Thanks!!!

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  2. Big Daddy
    Archived post
    #2

    If the handle bars blot out the view of the front hub this si the standard indicator of correct fit. However as you are new to cycling here are a few tips.

    1- if the pain is in your lower back and or shoulders/neck raise the handle bars slightly less than 1 cm if you can(check to see if you have a spacer on top of the stem you can switch to the bottom) If you cannot raise the bar easily sometimes you can flip the stem to give a rise as apposed to being angled down. Thus getting the angle you need. The key here is not to make any radical adjustment just mm at a time.

    2- if the pain is in your hands and arms try rotating the bars up in the stem slightly. this will ajust the angle you hold the levers with and make this easier on your hands and arms.

    3- If you feel like you are reaching for the levers too much maybe a shorter stem is in order. ( you really want to be longer on the bike as this promotes a flat back and actually makes breating easier) however if your weight is not distributed evenly between your butt and your hands the main contact points you will never feel like you are really in controll of your bike as your weight will be too far forward or back(forward weight hands and arms tire, backward weight ass and thighs hurt)

    Play with your position attle howevr make only one change at a time and small increments at that.

    Hope this helps

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  3. kaian
    Archived post
    #3

    Thanks. I am going to try tilting the bars a bit upward to see if it feels more natural.

    Report

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