[omnivox42]

Lately it feels like I am cramped when riding in the drops. Due to the wind and comfort I ride in the drops more and more. I also use them when the effort requires it. My flexability is also way up.

I was thinking of taking my stem from +12 degrees to +8. What will this effect as far as setup is concerned. I figured I may need to adjust tilt on.the handlebars. Will I need to adjust saddle height or tilt? I think I saw a thread that touched on it earlier.

Would this lay me out more feeling less cramped in the drops. Riding on the hoods is perfect and comfy by the way.

 

[omnivox42]

Anyone?

 

[mars_yeldir]

I would go to a reputable bike fit guy. I recently lowered my bars and spent a week with a blown out lower back. So be careful about that. Hard to say specifics without seeing you on the bike and I am not sure I could advise you anyway. Try small adjustments if you can I guess.

 

[Industry_Hack]

Get a mountain bike.

 

[rola643]

I hate answering these kind of threads but... I personally spend very little time in the drops. Like you most of the time I do it's to duck out of the wind or change position on longer rides more for changing hand position than anything. I fell like it closes up my chest to ride in the drops for any period of time. I use a short stem 90 ( compared to most I guess ) it's 7* flipped. I feel, when I ride solo, I like to ride with my hands on the back and top of the hoods ( think of your hand in a C shape ). I am laid out a bit more and not as rolled over on the drops leaving my chest open and much easier to breath. I work on riding with bent elbows which helps (me) quite a bit. I tend to be more forward on the saddle almost like TT if you will but I can ride very comfortably for a long time like that.


---EDIT---
Like they say, To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, or something like that meaning yes saddle adjustments , etc. make small changes and ride 7 miles or so and do it all again if need be.


+++EDIT to the EDIT+++
Merely observations and my experience which may or may not be worth a hill of ****

 

[omnivox42]

Rola, the adjustments are what I worry about. As I plan on staying on the + angles versus the 0 or - angels I am hoping to minimize any other effects. I will probably find a reputable fit specialist in my area, but was hoping to get some insight before I spend 100/200 bucks.

 

[rola643]

Rola, the adjustments are what I worry about. As I plan on staying on the + angles versus the 0 or - angels I am hoping to minimize any other effects. I will probably find a reputable fit specialist in my area, but was hoping to get some insight before I spend 100/200 bucks.

I know, I just took a long laborious way around to saying try and experiment. I promise you, it won't take long to figure out of it works or not. You can't make those kind of changes without changing something else.

What "other" affects are you worried about?

 

[omnivox42]

I guess Ill try the +8 setting and see what happens. I am always worried by anything that may effect my left knee. Even though it has been solid lately, I know it is a weak spot.

 

[rola643]

Yup, best to leave it to the pros.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/training-fitness/professional-bike-fitting-scam
Your own experience is the best guide here. Are you comfortable on your present bike? If not, decide what changes would make you happy. Perhaps it's a higher handlebar or a stem with less reach. Then see which pro fit addresses these issues.

Let us know how the fit turns out!

 

[omnivox42]

Good link Rola, thanks.

 

[zero3one]

It's not that drastic of a change. You should be ok for the most part. You will be a little more stretched out but the lowered height will put a little more weight over your arms and hands so just shorten the next couple or rides to get used to the new position.

 

[omnivox42]

I can.do that.

 

[omnivox42]

Changed the angle to +8 degrees on the bike tonight. It was set to +12 before. I rode around the block some and noticed the change.right.away. I had to tweak handlebar tilt as well. So far it feels good the hood ride is improved as is.the.drops. ill let yall know after tomorrow morning after I.put in some real miles.

Edit: it was set to +16 before.

 

[omnivox42]

Ok rode 31 miles this morning with the adjustments and I think I will keep them. I may need to drop the nose of the saddle a tad bit more as I had some pressure in the inside of my right hip/groin area. My back, hands, and shoulders felt good, as did my posture in the drops.

 

[SixtyPlus]

I recently flipped my stem from a negative angle to a positive angle and it has made a lot of difference in hand pressure and numbness. I also made a very slight angle adjustment on the saddle which also helped. I still think a slight forward adjustment of the saddle might just be the one remaining tweak but will probably ride a little more to be sure.

Small adjustments make large changes!

 

[omnivox42]

I recently flipped my stem from a negative angle to a positive angle and it has made a lot of difference in hand pressure and numbness. I also made a very slight angle adjustment on the saddle which also helped. I still think a slight forward adjustment of the saddle might just be the one remaining tweak but will probably ride a little more to be sure.

Small adjustments make large changes!

Agreed!

 

[Merlincustom]

Try this tool:

http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

Changes to the stem angle impact height and reach. If you're running a threadless headset, height is a function of the stem stack height plus your spacer height. Height can be effectively equalized by spacer changes. Reach is trickier. Ideally it's best compensated by changing the handlebar "reach" spec, which would basically mean new bars. If you run the numbers in your case (i arbitrarily used 60 for the spacer variable and came up with a scant 4mm reach difference; hardly a difference to warrant new bars) you'll likely see a negligible difference in reach.

I wouldn't mess with saddle height to compensate for the difference. Too much can go wrong there (knees, etc.). You're better off tweaking the
spacers.

 

[omnivox42]

Try this tool:

http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

Changes to the stem angle impact height and reach. If you're running a threadless headset, height is a function of the stem stack height plus your spacer height. Height can be effectively equalized by spacer changes. Reach is trickier. Ideally it's best compensated by changing the handlebar "reach" spec, which would basically mean new bars. If you run the numbers in your case (i arbitrarily used 60 for the spacer variable and came up with a scant 4mm reach difference; hardly a difference to warrant new bars) you'll likely see a negligible difference in reach.

I wouldn't mess with saddle height to compensate for the difference. Too much can go wrong there (knees, etc.). You're better off tweaking the
spacers.

Good info. Thanks for sharing.