Bike Fit Question: Dropping the Head Set

[Heltor Chasca]

Today I dropped my headset by 5mm. I aim to shrink my aerobic profile, but by tiny increments as I ride far rather than fast (Audax) so my comfort is priority. For all I know I may want to go back to my previous, upright position.

In response to dropping the headset, I tilted my saddle forwards a little. Early days, but it feels comfortable. My knee bend feels slightly different but I haven’t really ridden in the new set up long enough to know if my knees or back will hint towards lowering or raising the saddle or indeed moving the saddle forwards or backwards.

Is there anything I should be considering in regards to saddle height or fore/aft position?

Thank you as always.

 

[Heigue'r]

Interested,as just done the same before the commute home this afternoon.Felt fine and will prob drop some more next week.

 

[screenman]

How tight are your hip flexors, keeping them supple seemed to help things for me.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Hip flexors? All ok on that front and my core strength is good.

 

[Maenchi]

5mm ? try 2.5 ?

 

[Heltor Chasca]

5mm ? try 2.5 ?

Lost me already. 5mm is my spallest spacer and this is the measurement of my change earlier today.

 

[JhnBssll]

I dropped 10mm on my Roubaix recently and have just bought the tools to chop the steerer to allow me to go another 10mm lower by shifting the bung down. I intend to take 10mm off this time and reassemble with a 10mm spacer above the stem so I can revert back to the current height if it's too much. If after a month or so it feels good I'll chop it again I bought a cheap carbon steerer cap too but having looked at it I might use the original aluminium one to tighten it down then swap them over

 

[Maenchi]

Lost me already. 5mm is my spallest spacer and this is the measurement of my change earlier today.

There are various sized spacers available, I suggested that because it was something I've been experimenting with recently and I was surprised at how much difference a small change can make, 5mm for me would make quite a difference to the comfort of my neck; for instance

 

[Ajax Bay]

In what way is this 'dropping the headset'?

 

[ianrauk]

I guess he actually means lowering the stem nearer to the headset.

 

[midlife]

Just out of curiosity what's "aerobic profile" ?

 

[smutchin]

5mm is my spallest spacer

If you want finer adjustment, you can buy a bag of assorted spacers from wiggle for a few quid.