Bike Fit Question

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Fit Question Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2004-09-12 8:18 PM

Extreme Veteran
463
1001001001002525
Subject: Bike Fit Question
And yet another bike question.....

Quick background: Bought my very first road bike in April. Had aerobars put on in June (?). I always felt too stretched out in the aero position so I rode slower in them than out of them. Asked questions here and tried to follow the guidance. I never got used to riding in my aerobars. Went back to LBS to get fitted in the aero position. Bottom line, I need to move forward three inches. LBS has ordered a new seat post but it isn't in so it hasn't been installed. My on-line coach told me that it will be an adjustment to get used to moving up three inches and in the end, I may need a smaller bike. I've decided to postpone any seatpost adjustment until after my last tri of the season (Sep 25th).

Question for you roadies: Does it sound like I'm on a bike too big for me? If it is a 50/50 thing, how would getting a smaller bike hurt me? Don't get me wrong, I'm not anxious to get a new bike (I'm still really new to road biking), just does moving up the seat three inches raise any warning flags for you?

As additional background, I didn't spend an arm and a leg for this bike (Trek 1500) and if I really should be on a smaller bike, I'd rather go there now. I don't think the LBS did me wrong; they measured me and asked how the ride felt and me coming from my husband's mountain bike, all I could say was, "Very, very strange." On aerobars, it still does.



Edited by Aikane 2004-09-12 8:19 PM

2004-09-12 8:32 PM
in reply to: #60566

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
If the seat post ordered is a forward seatpost, it may be a cheap solution to your size problem, as it will effectively shorten the top tube length. Give it a try before you buy a whole 'nother bike. Another cheap alternative is to buy a shorter stem.

Are you happy with the rest of the bike, or looking for an excuse to upgrade?
2004-09-12 8:59 PM
in reply to: #60566

Extreme Veteran
463
1001001001002525
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
Thanks, bear! I'm not looking to upgrade at all. If I were to buy a new bike, it would be a Trek 1500, the same one I'm currently riding. I don't know much about bikes but I do know I'm not nearly ready for a tri bike since I can't ride in an aero position right now. I just wanted to know if my LBS sounds reasonable or if I just need to chalk this up, give the bike to my daughter who is longer waisted, and purchase a smaller bike. They haven't mentioned anything about a shorter stem.

I came to Tris via springboard diving, dance and later, running. I like to feel in total control. These bike questions are really questions about control. My complete control of a bike. Sincere thanks for your thoughts.
2004-09-12 9:19 PM
in reply to: #60566

User image

Resident Matriarch
N 43° 32.927 W 071° 24.431
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question

Kathy,  The exact same thing happened to me when I bought my first road bike.  When I put on aerobars, I was too stretched out and could not get comfortable.  I got the forward seatpost, and even with it down as low as it could go, I could not reach the pedals!  That's when I decided the bike was too big.  It was a 50cm Allez, which according to standover/inseam (worthless if  you ask me!) measurements, should have fit me fine.  I replaced it with a 47cm Allez, which fits me perfectly.

I don't fault my LBS either, just chalk it up as a learning experience. 

2004-09-12 10:00 PM
in reply to: #60566

User image

Champion
4902
20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
Have you tried simply moving your saddle forward along the rail? I haven't bothered to buy a forward seat post; it lines the tip of my saddle approximately 1 inch behind my bottom bracket. It works just great for me although I must admit that the aero position on my road bike makes handling a bit skittish on the road and is not to be trusted in traffic.
2004-09-12 10:17 PM
in reply to: #60566

User image

Master
2381
2000100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
Aikane,
3 inches sure seems like a lot to move your saddle. When I added aero bars I moved my saddle forward about 1/2 inch and raised my saddle about 1/4 inch. But I guess it all depends on your bike and your body.

Here is a link to an online bike fit calculator incase you want to check the fit the bike shop did:

http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp?aes=r&de...

And links to other bike fit systems:
http://www.cyclemetrics.com/Pages/FitLinks/bike_fit_links.htm

TJ






2004-09-12 10:51 PM
in reply to: #60566

Extreme Veteran
463
1001001001002525
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
Thanks, folks for your thoughts. I'll let you know how it eventually works out, but it sounds like my bike is too big for me. No problem; we'll get there!
2004-09-13 7:26 AM
in reply to: #60566

User image

Champion
4902
20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Bike Fit Question
Aikane, when I replied yesterday I had assumed that the road bike you had fit you. Did you get fitted for it when you bought it or did you just pick one off the showroom floor? If, in the end, you find that the frame is too big for you, no amount of add-ons will change that. The painful truth could be that you will have to buy yourself a bike that fits you properly before you can do anything else. Maybe you will be lucky enough to be able to sell the one you have now.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Fit Question Rss Feed