Riding position on a tourer.

in message <[email hidden]>,

spindrift (') said:

Picked up the Galaxy this morning and got it for fifty quid less than I
was quoted so fitted a computer, bottle, map holder and lock.

I'm sure it's because I'm used to my MTB but the riding position feels
hunched, somehow. It's a 59cm frame (I'm just over 6 foot) and it feels
like I'm quite far over the handlebars. I've moved the seat back an
inch which feels better but I still feel a bit cramped somehow.

Is there a diagram or something or a hint to say how you should be
positioned?

The stem does seem a bit short and that's realistically the only way to
extend my reach on the bars. Not a big job. Just called my brother and
said he heard that if you put your elbow at the tip of the seat you
should just reach the bar stem and I'm a good three inches over the
stem when I do that.

There are a number of metrics but one I find works for most people on drop
bar bikes is:

Ride the bike in a normal relaxed way, sitting on the seat and with your
hands on the tops of the bars. Look down at the front axle. It should be
completely hidden behind the handlebars. If you can see the axle
apparently in front of the bars, you need a longer stem; if it appears to
be behind the handlebars, you need a shorter stem.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

IMHO, there aren't enough committed Christians, but that's care
in the community for you. -- Ben Evans

"spindrift" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Picked up the Galaxy this morning and got it for fifty quid less than I
was quoted so fitted a computer, bottle, map holder and lock.

I'm sure it's because I'm used to my MTB but the riding position feels
hunched, somehow. It's a 59cm frame (I'm just over 6 foot) and it feels
like I'm quite far over the handlebars. I've moved the seat back an
inch which feels better but I still feel a bit cramped somehow.

Is there a diagram or something or a hint to say how you should be
positioned?

The stem does seem a bit short and that's realistically the only way to
extend my reach on the bars. Not a big job. Just called my brother and
said he heard that if you put your elbow at the tip of the seat you
should just reach the bar stem and I'm a good three inches over the
stem when I do that.

When my Galaxy was young, before it metamorphosed into somethig different, I
had the same problem. I bought a 13cm 3ttt quill stem and have been
comfortable ever since.

Ken.

Thank you, just wobbled on the bike in the hall and the axle is exactly
hidden by the bars. I just need to get used to it I guess. Change the
saddle as well, blimey.

spindrift said:

Picked up the Galaxy this morning and got it for fifty quid less than
I was quoted so fitted a computer, bottle, map holder and lock.

I'm sure it's because I'm used to my MTB but the riding position feels
hunched, somehow. It's a 59cm frame (I'm just over 6 foot) and it
feels like I'm quite far over the handlebars. I've moved the seat
back an inch which feels better but I still feel a bit cramped
somehow.

Is there a diagram or something or a hint to say how you should be
positioned?

The stem does seem a bit short and that's realistically the only way
to extend my reach on the bars. Not a big job. Just called my brother
and said he heard that if you put your elbow at the tip of the seat
you should just reach the bar stem and I'm a good three inches over
the stem when I do that.

I don't like "shoulds" when it comes to riding position, except you should
experiment and settle on whatever feels best. Hopefully the stem is a
front-opening type that can be changed easily.

The alternative to extending the reach is to raise the stem. That will make
the position more upright rather than hunched. A stem with more of an angle
could be fitted if the existing one won't go any higher.

~PB

spindrift said:

The stem does seem a bit short and that's realistically the only way
to extend my reach on the bars. Not a big job. Just called my brother
and said he heard that if you put your elbow at the tip of the seat
you should just reach the bar stem and I'm a good three inches over
the stem when I do that.

I think it's supposed to be the centre of the *bars* that you reach,
otherwise you're just testing the saddle position and top tube length.
Anyway, it doesn't properly take into account body proportions and saddle
length!, not to mention personal preference.

~PB

In article <[email hidden]>

spindrift said:

Picked up the Galaxy this morning and got it for fifty quid less than I
was quoted so fitted a computer, bottle, map holder and lock.

I'm sure it's because I'm used to my MTB but the riding position feels
hunched, somehow. It's a 59cm frame (I'm just over 6 foot) and it feels
like I'm quite far over the handlebars. I've moved the seat back an
inch which feels better but I still feel a bit cramped somehow.

Is there a diagram or something or a hint to say how you should be
positioned?

Funny you should mention that - I just spent most of the evening reading
various articles on bike fitting. The best one said to ignore all the
rules and just get it right for you. :-)

Quoted message said:

The stem does seem a bit short and that's realistically the only way to
extend my reach on the bars. Not a big job. Just called my brother and
said he heard that if you put your elbow at the tip of the seat you
should just reach the bar stem

My road bike is 58cm/23", and the saddle-nose to centre-top of the
handlebars is 62cm. My ATB is the same length, and the bars on both
bikes are 12-13cm below the seat. My tandem is shorter with higher bars
but it doesn't feel cramped or unbalanced, just more upright.

Quoted message said:

and I'm a good three inches over the stem when I do that.

If the seat is back as far as it will go try raising the bars.

"spindrift" <[email hidden]> wrote

[snip]

Quoted message said:

I'm sure it's because I'm used to my MTB but the riding position

feels

Quoted message said:

hunched,

[snip]

Which riding position? One of the points of dropped handlebars is to
give you a whole range of positions, and you can even have one hand
in one position, and the other hand in another.

On my Galaxy my most usual position is on the brake hoods, or the
handlebars just behind them. There's still room on the straight part
of my handlebars for my hands, in spite of computer, mount for my
light, and mount for a handlebar bag. I don't use the drops much,
except when battling into a head wind, or sprinting to avoid missing
a train, or something. However, it's nice to know the drops are
there, if need be. I have the top of my handlebars, which is the
area I mostly use, at about the same height as my saddle.

One certainly leans forwards on most bikes nowadays, whether the
handlebars are flat or dropped, unless it's some Dutch bike where you
sit bolt upright like Queen Wilhelmina. It's best to lean forward at
the waist rather than hunching the back

Distribute your weight so some of it is on all the different possible
places, some on the saddle, some on the handlebars, some on your feet
as you pedal. If you pedal hard enough, you may even have to pull
down on the handlebars rather than pushing on them, just to
counteract the push from your feet. Keep your elbows somewhat bent
for additional shock absorption.

Jeremy Parker