So, my bike is a little big for me and I rode it everyday of the Summer and Fall in perfect comfort. For some reason though, when the temperature started to drop I found myself feeling like I was stretching for my bars. I moved my saddle all the way forward and I still feel stretched out. I have a 100 mm quill stem. Do you think my best fix would be jumping down to a 60 mm quill stem? Are there any other ideas out there for me? and I already know I should've gotten a size that actually fits me, but that isn't an option, so don't bring it up.
Generation X is growing up.
Longer, taller stem. I think
Longer, taller stem. I think Nitto makes a really tall one. It can be your winter stem.
longer? I feel like I'm too
longer? I feel like I'm too stretched, wouldn't I want a shorter one?
I dunno if this is what Alex
I dunno if this is what Alex was referring to, but: a taller stem is going to feel shorter than one that's not as tall but the same length because the stem is angled toward the saddle as it exits the head tube. So if you want more height to sit more upright without changing the horizontal distance between handlebars and seatpost, you paradoxically need a stem that is both taller and longer. This way you can sit more upright without a shorter stem making your steering feel twitchy. I believe the one Alex is referring to is the Nitto Technomic. I've got one one my touring bike. I recommend it. Very shiny.
Shorter, yes. I was tired.
Shorter, yes. I was tired.
.
don't move your saddle. that's not how you adjust reach (in the long term).
do it right and get a new stem. what was the question? how to install a new stem?
no, just how to get
no, just how to get comfortable reach on a slightly large bike, and also why did it feel comfortable in the warm weather but in the cold it is uncomfortable.
.
cold = stiff
yeah, maybe...
cold weather makes the muscles stiffer, but so does age.
I'm afraid teh Pat is getting old...
sorry Alex,
but it was good while it lasted right?
old=still stiff
old=still stiff
Still Stiff
Really old=really stiff ;-)
I can't deny the stiffness
but I will deny that 50 is really old ;-).
20 is not old enough for
20 is not old enough for stiff
Oh yes it is.
Oh yes it is.
Oh, just 'stiff', not "Mr. Stiffy the Wonder Snake". My bad.
So, I checked out my catalog
So, I checked out my catalog and Nitto makes that Technomic it is a 71 degree drop which is what I have now. My current stem is a 100 mm, would I be better going to a 50 or 60 mm? Also, I have the Soma El Toro pursuit bars (http://store.somafab.com/eltostpubar.html) do you think if I got bars that didn't drop like these, I would be more comfortable?
twichy
when you shorten your stem, your steering gets twitchier.
Have you tried yoga?
and................ you should improve your circulation
especially twitchy
if you are running a trendy chopped flat bar.
bar none
I had similar bars for a while (Nitto RB021 to be specific, and I still have them if anybody wants to buy them!), and found them to be not-so-great in the long run. (They're probably great for pursuits!) You gotta reach pretty far out & down to get a comfortable hand position on them, and the way they're shaped, I couldn't find a comfortable alternate position on them.
I've since switched to drops, and I'm much more comfortable. They provide multiple hand positions which change things for my hands, wrists, arms, neck, and back. Being able to change up my position regularly prevents fatigue from staying in any one position for too long.
I think you may need a shorter stem, too, but personally I'd start by changing the bars.
correlation does not imply causation
I doubt this is a winter-specific problem. The months of riding high mileage on an improperly fit bike just built up and finally you started to feel it. Its possible to tolerate bad bike fit for a while but it usually manifests itself eventually...
My bar isnt chopped or flat.
My bar isnt chopped or flat. But anyways, I think that is probably it. I swapped out my Brooks for a new Specialized saddle, and already I definately prefer that. I figure that once I have a shorter stem, it should fix most of the problem
my bad, i guess
But you were talking about swapping out your bars, no?
.
1) glad you got rid of that ass-hatchet brooks
2) you work at a bike shop. try several stems. there's no way anyone here could possibly tell you that 5 cm, which is a LOT of difference, will be the right amount.
This sounds like it is the
This sounds like it is the most plausible explanation.
That, and maybe Pat's handlebars getting away from him because he is so slow that even the metal is faster than him.
Damn!
ZING!!!
If this happened as the
If this happened as the winter months came along, I think its reasonable to assume that 2 extra jackets contributed to your FEELINGS of being stretched out. I suggest buying a second "winter" bike so that you don't feel "cramped" next summer from whatever fix you come up with now.
Suffer
Face it. Or go to SOPO and get the correct-sized frame.
I lifted my stem a good 3-4
I lifted my stem a good 3-4 centimeters and it helped a bit, but i still feel a bit too upright. I'm going to get a 60mm stem, and see how it goes.