Old 06-26-22, 12:19 AM
  #524  
timtak
Senior Member
 
timtak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yamaguchi City, Japan
Posts: 1,092

Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2 SL 2007, Look KG386, R022 Re-framed Azzurri Primo, Felt Z5, Trek F7.3 FX

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 404 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 73 Posts
Originally Posted by PeteHski
lower stack height (e.g. Specilaized Roubaix) or size down several frames to achieve the aggressive fit they may prefer.
Getting a smaller size and using a long stem is definitely an option.

The Roubaix Pro
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ro...ext=94422-1054
says it has a short head tube at 12.5 cm in the 54 (which is about 1cm shorter than my Look or Trek from 15 years ago) but the drops are a long way above the wheels. It is also very expensive. My students -- thin young Japanese guys -- go to bike shops and get fitted up with bikes at a lower price point in the Trek/Specialized range with their chests facing the wind.

I try to get the drops nearer to wheel top height since most drag is rider drag and I guess the biggest part of that is my chest. I ride alone so I am not drafting anyone. As I say on this or a similar thread, a lot of the innovation of aero frames can shave a percent or two off total but one can be a lot more aero by getting into a time trial (or pros back in the day when breakaways were more popular) type position.

I have just set up my Madone a little too low (I bought the +- 45 degree stem for a relaxed bike). I'll be getting a minus 20 or so stem. The aim is to be in a time trial position since I only ride time trials.

A Little too Low by Timothy Takemoto, on Flickr

The 60mm at 17 degrees looks about right @ $11.54.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002335257888.html

Or in aluminium and carbon for $18USD in a variety of sizes and angles including -35 for those who want to go low.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003276252495.html

My guess is that 1cm of back lowering is equivalent to (a few?) 1000 dollars of aero frame "innovations."

On second thoughts, the above stem is okay as it is, for the time being.

Last edited by timtak; 06-27-22 at 04:21 AM.
timtak is offline