Lower the seat or raise the bars?

[CommuterBen]

My bike isn't really set up to the most comfortable position I struggle to "bend over" and use the bars properly meaning I'm limited to very slight braking! (Road bike) just wondered would I be better off raising the bars or lowering the seat? I gives me a bit of back pain in its current set up but I'm unsure on how to remedy the issue!

 

[Rob3rt]

Raising the bars! The saddle should be set up in relation to the pedals, the bars set up in relation to the saddle.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Get your seat to the correct height and then adjust the bars.

 

[fossyant]

Bend your back more ! Seriously, if you can, adjust the bars for now, but you usually get back pain because you aren't used to the position. How new is the road bike ?

 

[CommuterBen]

Bend your back more ! Seriously, if you can, adjust the bars for now, but you usually get back pain because you aren't used to the position. How new is the road bike ?

2 days ha! It just doesn't feel comfortable! Think ill lower the saddle slightly then adjust the bars see how I get on!

 

[black'n'yellow]

Think ill lower the saddle slightly then adjust the bars see how I get on!

so you're going to do the exact opposite of what you've just been told..?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

2 days ha! It just doesn't feel comfortable! Think ill lower the saddle slightly then adjust the bars see how I get on!

lowering the saddle could result in knee damage btw. raise the bars slight with a shorter riser stem and you wil get them ever so slightly closer and higher at the same time and protect your back & knees...

 

[HovR]

2 days ha! It just doesn't feel comfortable!

As above, I'd suggest setting the saddle to the correct height (your knee should be only slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke, any more and you risk knee pain) and raise the bars if possible.

With a modern threadless headset system you may not be able to raise the bars too much. If it is a modern threadless system don't crank the top-cap bolt down hard like with older threaded headset/stem systems - It only has to be tight enough to take the play out of the headset.

That said it's probably just that you're not used to the riding position, especially if you've come from a flat bar bike. I found my most recent build uncomfortable at first as it has slightly more sporty geometry with a slightly longer stem than my regular club/Sunday bike, but I got used to it within a week or two and now find both bikes just a comfortable as each other.

 

[CommuterBen]

so you're going to do the exact opposite of what you've just been told..?

Didn't read the previous post properly! Ill give it a few weeks then if no improvement the Bars will go up first see how I feel! My leg is straight on the bottom of the pedal stroke but will see how I go after raising the bars!

 

[screenman]

I would like to see a side on picture of you on the bike before giving my opinion. Is there any pies in the way, how flexible are you, have your bars and brakes been put on properly, often the brakes are too far around the bars meaning the levers are to far to reach, also this can make it uncomfortable to ride on the hoods.

 

[Pale Rider]

If reaching the brakes is a problem, you can get an extra pair of levers put on the flat part of the bars.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Here:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

of course you could just need to do the same back exercises my OH needs to do to deal with everyday lower back pain which his road bike despite being correctly setup exacerbates if he forgets to do his exercises... off to nag him again, would actually like to have a riding partner every now and again... always seems to play up at the weekends, holidays....

 

[vickster]

Flip the stem, raises you up a bit and brings the bars a bit closer IIRC?

I think the leg should be slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke - lots of online guides on set up as suggested. Look after your knees

The bike is the right size for you, isn't it?

 

[outlash]

You're not riding on the drops all the time are you? If so, try the hoods...

You could always flip the stem the other way round which would raise the bars a touch.

EDIT: What Vickster said!


Tony.