malpag3

Ok, so I am posting photos in an attempt to get some help regarding the fit issues with my road bike.

Mind you, I have had it for about 1 year and a half. I have ridden this bike a lot, as I kind of jumped headfirst into road biking. I alleviated most fit issues as they arose. As of right now, I don't have any outstanding issues other than the nagging feeling that I think the bike is fit wrong for me. I had no clue about sizing other than standover height and I got a screamin' deal on her but she needed some work.

My fit issues are as follows. I'm about 5'4", with a very short inseam (about 27" I think). So the rest of me is torso. My bike for standover purposes is fit well for that. About 1" in standover height.

Top-tube is where we have issues. The mechanic that works at our store is a bike nazi perfectionista and essentially told me he won't even bother fitting me because the top-tube is too short and that I need a different bike. Well, I have this bike, and I love her a lot, and I don't have money for another bike. Hence I posted here. Most LBS bike folks tend to prefer you get the bike from them before they help you with fitting it.

I recently bought a new seat (selle italia flite gel flow) and it changed my sitting position a bit. I did the best I could but, still be a novice, that's not a lot. I also just installed a longer stem thinking that might help a bit. So far, it feels different but not drastically.

What do you all say?

kudude

your elbows are locked. That's not good. also, it's easier to see what's going on when you're wearing bike shorts

robncircus

I have a similar build (5'4 with 28.5 inseam). I have played with fit quite a bit and finally got it to work and be comfy after my first 6 months really riding. Do you feel that you need to be more stretched out? Do you have pain anywhere? Numbness? Fit is so custom to the person that it's tough to tell by pics.

Rob

meanwhile

I suggest that you:

1. Buy Zinn's Cycling Primer and read the fit section

2. Go to Sheldon Brown's site and look at the fitting page and the sites linked there.

malpag3

Kudude- Yeah I just got home from work and snapped the pics. I can change if need be, but I didn't know if it was necessary.

Rob- Yeah, like I said in the first post, most fit issues I noticed I resolved (like numbness in hands, then feet). Doesn't this build suck!? We can't find a decent pair of pants without hemming them! This bike was actually owned by a girl before me =p

Well it was worth a shot. I guess if nothing is jumping out at anyone I'll take it that it's not terribly off?

ridethecliche

It looks okay. You could do with bending your elbows a bit.

If nothing hurts, and you feel fine, it should be fine...

malpag3

Thanks Cliche. I thought there was supposed to be some sort of intersection with the plane of the headset and my face or something like that.

How can I achieve more bend in my elbows? I pushed the handlebar down a bit. Is that the right idea?

Thanks again...

delay

You can get more bend in your elbows simply by bending them... It does look like you could use a longer stem... looks like yours is short (maybe a 100?). That would help stretch you out some.

btw, how do you fit a helmet on top of that hair?

malpag3

Excellent, I can trade up the stem. The one it came with was the shortest one I've ever seen (probably 70mm). The one I have is a 100. Should I go up to 120?

Hahah, yes the helmet and hair interface is tough sometimes. Essentially I have to pull it straight back up over my head (which reveals my undreaded sides) and then it fits under my size L Bell. It is hotter than hell sometimes though.

BowieRider

I'm also 5'4" w 27" inseam. The fit doesn't seem too bad.
If you're worried about the length of the toptube, give this
a try. Put your elbow at the front tip of your saddle, your index finger tip
should just touch your handlebar.

BlastRadius

You could try lowering your saddle a bit and moving it back by the same amount as you lowered it.
That'll effectively lengthen your cockpit and probably give you a better balance point for your reach to the drops.

* also note: I think your saddle is bit too high for a good powerful spin.

BarryJo

Or you could pony up the dough and have a professional fitter get you into the most efficent postion for your bike.

BTW - are those tarrot cards in your spokes?

malpag3

Bowie- My index finger came up about half an inch short of touching the bars.

Blast- I lowered my saddle a bit, and moved it back. Thanks!

Barry- Unfortunately, I'm not gifted with the dough for something like that. I feel like I can rely on a helpful community of riders who like helping people out. I'm not trying to get a race fit so I can make millions. The cards are spoke cards I've earned winning Alley Cat Races in downtown Detroit.

AnthonyG

I'd like to see better pictures too. Wearing lycra cycling shorts and a shot with your legs in the 3-9 o'clock position as well. My first comment is that judging by how high your knee is raised at the top of the stroke your cranks are way too long. How long are they?

Getting your relationship with the crank sorted out comes first before getting carried away with the reach to the handlebars because moving your saddle changes your handlebar reach.

Regards, Anthony

johnny99

Try bending your waist and elbows more. If you cannot comfortably bend your waist more, try raising your handlebar instead. You will be more comfortable with a bend in your elbows.

BarryJo

A fitting doesn't have to cost a lot, but they can be well worth the money paid. I know there are a lot of knowlegeable people here on BF, but I don't believe you can get good advice until you're up on the trainer and pedaling in all 3 positions (tops, hoods and drops). There's just too many variables (top tube length, seat height and forward position, crank length, stem length & angle) - I still think a good fitting is one of the best investments you can make.

That's cool about the cards, all they give out at my club is a pair of sore legs and a deflated ego. What kind of races are the Alley Cat races?
JohnB

BowieRider

You should really get fitted.
Your stem length is going to depend on your saddle
being at the correct position first.
Seat height- while sitted place your heel on the pedal,
at the bottom of the stroke, your leg should be fully extended.
Seat fore and aft- place pedal at the 3 Oclock position and your
foot at the proper position on the pedal, if your seat is at the right
position, the front of your knee should be directly over the ball
off your foot

ridethecliche

I hate my saddle being at the level that you suggest. That's just a guide, you can find what works for you by getting a fit that involves measurements in addition to collection of power data to find what's actually the best, but I've found I like mine higher than I attain with the 'heel' method. It does serve as a good starting point, though KOPS is sort of a myth from what I've read. I guess it might serve as a good starting point as well.

BowieRider

I agree it's just a starting point, you should definitely
have it where it feels "right" for you.

JoelS

After much experimentation and a visit to a fitter, my seat is in exactly the right spot. However, the top tube on my bike is a little long, so I'm pretty stretched out and not in a good position when off the seat and climbing (too far forward). I'm in process of getting a shorter stem and short reach bars to address it.

Save your coins for a while and go see a fitter. It's worth it. Should cost less than $100. It'll likely take about 2 hours.

ScrubJ

I'd go with a longer stem and move one of the spacers from below your stem to above it. Put your 100 on if you have enough cable. From what I can see, you need to raise your seat a bit also.

BarryJo

I agree 100% - I'm 5'10" and by all accounts a 54 should be the right size for me, but because of short legs (and length discrepency) and short arms, I am strecthed out on a 54. The shorter stem with a little higher rise and correct seat adjustment made life so much better.

MattyNJ

what size bike is that to begin with?

malpag3

hmm all this is confusing me a bit. Some say higher seat some say lower.

it is a size 47cm.

Cdy291

I say that lowering your saddle just a little and moving it back was a good idea. After that I say FLIP IT. Your handlebars are up so high I think you might actually be more comfortable with them lower.