flammenwurfer

I'm not sure what the correct posture is for a city bike. I just got this and I have no issues with comfort while riding. It's actually very comfortable. However, I do feel a little cramped but maybe it's just the way these bikes are supposed to be. I've never ridden one before I got this.



I was thinking about getting a longer stem that gives me more reach. Like this one on my other bike..


Also, the stem that is on the city bike currently doesn't seem to have a way to loosen and remove the handlebars. If I want to change the stem or the handlebars, will I have to change both?

David Newton

It's way more comfortable to ride when you can get it going outside the house, less stuff in the way.

Sorry, I'm a smart aleck.

It looks like it may be one size small for you, but you can't do anything about that.
I guess a longer stem would be nice, so you can sit more upright, but you aren't too hunched over. Have you taken the stem out? Maybe the one bolt loosens both the stem and the clamp?

flammenwurfer

Haha, yes. I expect smart aleck comments about my goofy mug.

I thought it might be a little small for me, but as you said there's not really anything I can do about it. Also, it's not uncomfortable so I'm fine with it being a little small.

I hadn't thought about just loosening it and seeing what happens. I'll give it a shot.

treebound 

Post a pic of the stem and bolt from the rear/rider's side.

flammenwurfer

treebound 

Looks one piece.

Link to a pic I googled up showing a couple on their 3speeds for comparison:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_idKIhdWTcu...erfectPair.jpg

(Edit to clarify link, not sure how to make it a live pic)

Roll-Monroe-Co

Hmm.

First of all, is your fork bent?

Second, if you're cramped, maybe the bike is too small.

Also, looks like you've got the brazed-up, one-piece stem and bars.

You could of course experiment with stem and bars. But I think maybe the bike's too small.

southpawboston

is this an english bike? it looks to me like the the handlebar is brazed directly into the sleeve of the stem. my dutch 3-speed has this type of one-piece bar/stem. the drawback to this setup is that you can not adjust the angle of the bar.

however, the old english 3-speed stems are typically very long and you can raise them quite high. it looks like yours is in the lowest possible position. i'm betting you can raise it a couple of inches. loosen the stem bolt a few turns, tap it with a hammer to release the quill expander, then pull the stem up until you see the line demarcating maximum height. that's how far you can raise your bars.

flammenwurfer

So that would mean I'd have to replace the whole thing?

I'm thinking of putting a bit taller and longer stem and upside down north road bars on it. Would that look silly? I kind of like the way north road bars look inverted. I think the stem would have to be really high for upside down bars to be in a comfortable position though.

southpawboston

if your desire is to decrease the reach, then inverting north roads would defeat that. it would look kind of silly on a 3-speed.

honestly, i think you have a couple of inches worth of stem that you can pull out before you max it out. no need to get a taller stem.

flammenwurfer

I don't necessarily want to raise the height of the stem that much, but get a stem that moves the handlebars a little bit farther away from my body.

flammenwurfer

Maybe one of these https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Steel-...2986086&sr=1-1?

Or these https://www.amazon.com/ACTION-KALLOY-...2987023&sr=1-3?

garage sale GT

Have you loosened the stem binder bolt? If it's the only fastener on there, maybe it also attaches the bars somehow.

I got one of those extra long stems. A basic but well made piece.

unterhausen

I think you look fine. Go look at pictures of people in Copenhagen riding their bikes, they all sit up like that. How are you going to ride along chomping on your unlit pipe in your tweed jacket if you get a longer stem?

kpug505

+1

I've read the term for the desired riding position is "bolt upright"...If anything I'd just raise the bars to max height and then sit back and enjoy the ride. That's what the big wide sprung saddle is for. If you create a riding position more in tune with the typical roadbike that saddle is gonna suck really fast.

mkeller234

I agree with the previous two comments about raising the stem. It will also give your knees more space and might make you feel less cramped. Every 3 speed I have found I consider too small, but they can be made decent like what you have. YMMV

mkeller234

It looks good to me, I think it's just because it's turned a bit.

flammenwurfer

Honestly, I spend about half the time sitting bolt upright without my hands on the handlbars anyways. That's one of the things I love about this bike. It's extremely stable and I feel like I could sit up straight, no hands and just leisurely cruise all day long. That sprung seat makes riding like that very comfortable and fun.

The stem and handlebars have seen better days so I'd like to replace them at some point just so they look nicer. But I'm beginning to agree with all of you that I don't necessarily want to move my hand position away from me, but just a little higher.

Since the head tube slants back towards me, if I wanted raise my hand position but keep it the same distance away from my body wouldn't I need a stem with a little bit longer reach than what I currently have?

rhm

It's a pretty cool bike, and there's no shame in it showing its age. In my mind the "it's seen better days" argument does not mean replacement is necessary. The "it's damaged and unsafe" argument, if it applies, certainly justifies replacement; otherwise I vote for leaving this bar and stem. You can get a stem extender, if necessary (though I don't like the look).

Is the seat clamp mounted to the front, or the rear, of the post? If the former, you can switch it around and gain about 2" of cockpit space, which may make all the difference.

flammenwurfer

rhm: Yes, I normally dig the look of something that looks like it's been used and enjoyed. See my other bike.
I would like to try different handlebars though and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get these handlebars out of this stem so it may not make a difference.

I forgot about moving the seat back. I'll have to check and see where it's at now.

Caferacernoc

I would say it's not that you NEED more reach. The question is do you WANT more forward reach? And if you do then yeah, change the stem and see what you think. I also agree that if you go too far you'll need a racier seat.

flammenwurfer

Ok. What I really want is a position that is comfortable and relaxed, but that still allows me to go fast if I want/need to. Is there even such a position?

southpawboston

the british also call it "sit up and beg".

badmother

I think "long (reach) stem" and "tall stem" is mixed up here.

I do not think flipped NorthRoads would look silly, but you would find yourself riding with your hands in your pockets (almost).

I think you should look at moustache bars, since they make quite a long curve aay from the bike before going backwards towards the rider again. They can also be flipped f you want to. The curve in the front would gve you a more stretched out position, and holding in the ends put you more upright. Important to find the right stem to get the right setup. Maybe get a adjustable quill stem to play around with and then buy what you want when you`ve forund the position you want the bars in?

Search for "bars" and "moustachebars" in the C&V forums and see what posts with pictures you find.

Roll-Monroe-Co

Sigh. My favorite bike, may it RIP, had this setup. A single speed, sky blue lugged Schwinn Le Something with a tall stem, flipped north roads, and a brooks. I loved that bike. Then one day I arrived at work late for a meeting, tried to hide it among the many other bikes in the rack, and that was that. Gone in 60 seconds.

Anyway, that was super comfortable, but in a drop bar kind of way, not a city bike kind of way. In the city, you need to be on the look out for others. In the scorcher position, they'd better look out for you!