I feel like I am stretching

[Matthew_T]

In the past I have adjusted my seat height after a fellow club member mentioning that my hips were moving about too much and I seemed to be stretching for the pedals.

However, something I have now picked up on is that I sit quite far forward in my seat in order to rest my hands in the correct position on the bars. I feel although I should be more compact together.

What should I adjust? The seat position, the angle of the handlebars, the stem? Instead of getting a new shorter stem, should I try having the seat forward a little?
I can move my bum to the rear off the seat (where it should be) but I then feel like i am stretching my arms on order to reach the brakes.

 

[Norm]

The saddle position needs to be set in relation to the pedals. The bar position then needs to be set in relation to the saddle.

If your bum/foot position is correct, you'll need to play with stem lengths but be aware that shortening the stem makes the steering much more responsive - go too far and it can be very twitchy.

 

[Rob3rt]

Do you feel like you are sitting on the saddle in a comfortable possition when you are on the hoods?

Personally, I would follow the general setup procedure, saddle at a height that there is a small bend in knee when the pedal is in the 6 o'clock position and with the saddle position set so that a plumb line dropped from the bottom of the kneecap intersects the pedal spindle.

Then, take hold of the bars, if you feel stretched out, then you need a shorter stem or more rise on the stem, you can flip the stem (most have a negative rise angle, so flipped upside down, you get a positive rise) to see if this helps. If not, go to a LBS and see if they will help you size up a new stem. Or if you want to go it alone, you could always try the rule of thumb*, the front hub should be obscured by the handlebars when on the hoods, if it is behind the bars then you need a shorter stem, if it is in front, you need a longer one.

* It's a rule of thumb, i.e. an approximation, full aware it is much debated and doesn't work for some people.

 

[Pauluk]

You may want to read this if you haven't already:

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

 

[Sittingduck]

Grasp the hoods. Look down at the front wheel. Is the hub hidden behind the top of the handlebars? It should be...

I would try sliding the saddle forward, just a touch and see if it feels any better. Has to be better than getting a new stem, right? If the saddle thing doesn't work or causes other issues, then think about switching out components.

 

[gaz]

The saddle position needs to be set in relation to the pedals. The bar position then needs to be set in relation to the saddle.

If your bum/foot position is correct, you'll need to play with stem lengths but be aware that shortening the stem makes the steering much more responsive - go too far and it can be very twitchy.

^ that.

 

[Matthew_T]

I am going to be going out now for a lovely evening ride (sun is setting nicely) so I will check the handlebar/hub thing then. If it is as you say, I will have a play with the seat position.
I just hope that the wine that I have had tonight doesnt play with my perception of where the handlebars are and where my wheels are (including my perception of traffic).

 

[Sittingduck]

But it'll change if you mess with the seat... just take a look and see how it is, first.

 

[Matthew_T]

But it'll change if you mess with the seat... just take a look and see how it is, first.

Okey dokey.

 

[Matthew_T]

I went out tonight and checked on the seat first thing.

If I sit where I normally am, then the handlebars are exactly over the front hub. However, if I sit where I feel I should be (plus in a more comfortable position) then the handlebars are in front of the hub.
So I think I will need to move the seat forwards a little tomorrow and see if that helps things.