Bike Position - Comments Please (Page 2)

inspiration - 2011-01-12 3:51 PM Righteo... I've got plenty of good advice to follow now - thanks everyone for your patience. I will raise my seat height gradually, lower my handle bars and adjust my cleats. Once I think I've got it pretty sorted, I'll post some updated photos with my new super-dupa, efficient and fast as aero position!

inspiration - 2011-01-19 11:35 PM Just got back from an hours ride. Felt very fast (could've been the meat n veg I ate for tea!) Felt a bit of stiffness in my neck and inner shoulders while on the aeros, but I noticed that when I lifted the seat last time. I'm sure it will become more comfortable the more I ride. So, didn't spend as long on the bars as I normally would. Also felt a bit of tightness in my lower back when I went for a run straight off the bike. But that didn't last long at all, so I'm really feeling inspired

jrm - 2011-01-20 3:56 PM

That does look good for a road bike it is about the best you can do. If you lower the bars anymore your thighs will hit your tummy and that is not fun on longer rides. Enjoy it, and old bikes rock when you show up and smoke someone on a highend ride!!! Sweet! John.

jsselle - 2011-01-07 8:59 PM "I can only just make out some engraving - part of an arrow pointing upwards to a horizontal line, which I'm guessing I shouldn't see." - Correct-o-mundo

"I vaguely remember raising the handle bars a while ago." - A while ago ... hmmmmm.  OK, now Google "High Cycle Fatigue Failure in Aluminum Alloys"

"The idea of the stem snapping off sure does get my attention!" - It probably won't snap off.

"How much do you suggest I lower it?" - Actually, I suggest you conduct a very scientific float test: Remove the stem that you've been riding "for a while" raised too high, and throw in in a deep lake. If it floats, it is fine. Re-install, inserted past the horozonal line. If, however, it sinks, then (please) take the safe route and have a bike shop install a new stem. Stem should cost thirty bucks, and the install about fifteen. (If your stem is installed with the engraved line just above the top nut, you can probably get away with lowering it below the line). WHile you are at the bike shop, go ahead and get new bar tape, and replace shifter/brake cables since you have to unwrap the tape anyways to put a new stem on. New cables is a great upgrade ... you'll tell the difference immediately in shifting precison. And nothing feels better on a bike than new grippy tape. Tip the wrench with a Starbucks card, then ask him if he'd mind taking a look at your seat height while you're there.

Happy trails.