Handlebar and stem height

[Jonny Rochester]

Sorry, this has probably been covered 10000 times.

What is the best handlebar height for road racing? Assuming the rider is(will be) within ballpark of optimum weight and flexibility?

Maybe the Pros measure seat and bar difference. Or maybe they just mount the stem lowest and cut the forks. (I know some thought must be given to this). This is the last part of bike fit not covered by most articles.

I've riden all sorts of bikes, including flatland (if you know what that is), so I can adapt to any position.

[Jonny Rochester]

OK. So 76mm from handlebar the saddle. THanks.

[stated]

Probably depends on your flexibility, If you have spacers under the stem put them on top of the stem and see how you like the handlebars lower down.

[Jonny Rochester]

Yep, I did that. Not too bad. Well, I still have a 15mm spacer and a very low profile heatset. I guess I can have the bars anywhere, it's just aerodynamics. And if I did have a gut, I would soon know about it hitting my knees into my stomach.

[sogood]

Flexibility and power production. Lower and go for some long rides and see.

[snedden9485]

I think im running around 80mm drop from saddle to bars, but i ride a 58cm bike and im pretty lanky. Be carefull slamming the stem all at once, you will hurt your neck and back most likely. I am slowly bringing mine down as i get more flexible and used to the cycling position.

[Parrott]

I think im running around 80mm drop from saddle to bars, but i ride a 58cm bike and im pretty lanky. Be carefull slamming the stem all at once, you will hurt your neck and back most likely. I am slowly bringing mine down as i get more flexible and used to the cycling position.

How tall are you? I am 184cm and have done the whole competetive cyclist fit calculator and it came out with a 57cm top tube. My current bike has a 56cm top tube and I get by with a 130 mm stem. Just wondering what size to get if and when I upgrade as most frames jump from 56 to 58 cm.

I am running about 8- 9 cm of drop and got there by gradually removing spacers as my flexibility improved also.

[El Imbatido]

I use this amount of stem so i can put up an umbrella on hot days Ha ha i'm so funny........not

It's not really my bike, just a pic i found. Just think how much people would rip into this guy at racing Also you could probably impale yourself on it if you went over the handlebars. That would be an embarrassing and avoidable accident. And imageine explaining it to others

[snedden9485]

I think im running around 80mm drop from saddle to bars, but i ride a 58cm bike and im pretty lanky. Be carefull slamming the stem all at once, you will hurt your neck and back most likely. I am slowly bringing mine down as i get more flexible and used to the cycling position.

How tall are you? I am 184cm and have done the whole competetive cyclist fit calculator and it came out with a 57cm top tube. My current bike has a 56cm top tube and I get by with a 130 mm stem. Just wondering what size to get if and when I upgrade as most frames jump from 56 to 58 cm.

I am running about 8- 9 cm of drop and got there by gradually removing spacers as my flexibility improved also.

I am 184cm tall and i ride a 58cm with a 110mm stem. I have long limbs though, which makes the 58 fit me pretty well. I think i could ride either a 56 or a 58, im sorta in the middle id say.

[m@]

I use this amount of stem so i can put up an umbrella on hot days Ha ha i'm so funny........not

It's not really my bike, just a pic i found. Just think how much people would rip into this guy at racing Also you could probably impale yourself on it if you went over the handlebars. That would be an embarrassing and avoidable accident. And imageine explaining it to others

I think I see a pencil line around the steerer where he's marked it to cut off the excess

[Parrott]

I am 184cm tall and i ride a 58cm with a 110mm stem. I have long limbs though, which makes the 58 fit me pretty well. I think i could ride either a 56 or a 58, im sorta in the middle id say.

Thanks, I guess I'm in the same boat and will have to try a 56 and a 58 if I can't get a 57 and ever have enough spare cash for a better frame, kids aren't cheap

[snedden9485]

Yeh i am long thru the torso, which makes the 58 in my region. Just looking at the bike now, i reckon im running around the 9cm drop now, as iv removed all but one of the stem spacers. She is now almost fully slammed! Might have to lob off some of the excess once im sure of it.

[Focusfire]

I think im running around 80mm drop from saddle to bars, but i ride a 58cm bike and im pretty lanky. Be carefull slamming the stem all at once, you will hurt your neck and back most likely. I am slowly bringing mine down as i get more flexible and used to the cycling position.

Hey Snedden, did you remove any of the spacers from your S1? The S1 already feels pretty aggressive for me but I don't have as much saddle to bar drop as most people seem to have on roadies.

Edit: nevermind just read your last post hehe.