riverdrifter

I just got my first road bike, a Jamis Satellite Sport, 51cm. I went for my first longer ride this morning, and have a couple observations. I feel really comfortable on the bike, with one exception. My butt wants to slide back behind the saddle. It is slightly higher than the handlebars and is level. It is as far back on the rails as possible. I feel like if my hands were maybe one inch further forward that would help. I measured the stem from center of bolt to center of handlebars and I got 92mm. The top of the stem says 31.8 5-6Nm H1202D.

Should I try a longer stem? What size do you recommend?

Thanks!

Oh, maybe I should add that I'm 5'8", 30" inseam, thin, and have kind of longish arms. I wear a medium size in everything, but the sleeves are always too short. I have about 1" inch clearance when I stand over the frame.

berner

Hi Drifter. We are the same approximate size overall but I have longer legs. You did not say what the length of your top tube is. This is measured horizontally from the point where the fork intersects the top tube to the centerline of the seat tube ( regardless of where a sloping top tube may actually intersect). This is a key fitting measurement and on my bike it is 54cm and I use a 90 mm stem. Those measurements may help your evaluation. In any case, I would try that longer stem as that is not very expensive and since it does not cost anything, tip the saddle down a bit. YOu can always move it back. Good luck.

Cyclist0108

A longer stem and/or a seatpost with more setback could help. The frame might be a bit small, but that is one way to make it work.

riverdrifter

Thanks. The top tube measurement is 51 cm just about exactly.

That number on stamped on my stem, H1202D? I'm wondering if that maybe means it is a 120 mm stem? I measured from the center of the handlebars to the stem bolt and came up with about 90 mm. Is that where I should be measuring?

Cyclist0108

I think you are measuring correctly. H1202D could be anything. 120 is almost freakishly long.

cf: https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...em-length.html

Carbonfiberboy 

No idea without seeing photos taken from the side:
Hands on hoods, forearms horizontal, cranks level
Hands on hoods, normal riding position, cranks vertical

riverdrifter

Thanks, I'll get some photos tonight.

rando_couche

Really? I run a 120 on my Mondia (64cm c-t) and a 140 on my Eddy Merckx (62cm c-c). But I am tall-ish (6'3") with long arms and legs.

SP
Oregon Coast

Iride01 

Did you buy this from a local dealer new? If so did they set you on it and adjust the saddle height and position? The tilt and height of your saddle might also be somewhat a factor. Since any reasonable LBS will want you to have a good experience with what they sold you, they will usually go fairly far with accommodating any issues you are having with your bike whether mechanical or fit. It's possible you might need a larger frame, or a frame for the opposite sex. Male and female frames can have differing geometries and tube lengths. They are made for the dimensions of what the company expects the median bike buyer will be for each sex. If you are not that median person, then the frame for the other sex might be better for you in the same size.

I personally see no reason for manufacturers to continue sexing bikes. I'd rather just see frames that spec the reach as well as the seat tube length.

riverdrifter

Thanks everyone, for the input. I have continued riding the bike daily and making small adjustments. It feels perfect now, and I've kept it the same for about a month. I ended up flipping the stem. I know that should make the reach shorter, but it seems to be exactly what I needed.

VeeBee

longer stem looks more pro :-)