Is front hub visibility a bad thing?

Gabbo
Gabbo Posts: 864
edited September 2012 in Road general
Apparently so, being able to see the front hub whilst in the seating position means the sizing of the bike is incorrect. If you see the front hub behind the stem/handles you're suppose to purchase a shorter stem, and if you see it past the handles then you're suppose to purchase a longer stem.

How much truth is there in this?

If this is the case, then surely I'll need to purchase a shorter stem considering I can see the front hub behind the stem/handles (even with my seat pushed forward). My stem is 110mm

Comments

  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Its complete nonsense.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    I wouldn't say it's complete nonsense, for quick basic set-up it's a reasonable starting point, a proper bike fit would be better, and moving your saddle to correct reach is a very bad idea!
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Yeh, I was a bit blunt perhaps. It doesnt really take into account the reach of your bars or your hoods though.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    styxd wrote:
    Yeh, I was a bit blunt perhaps. It doesnt really take into account the reach of your bars or your hoods though.

    Yes - imagine three people with the same overall dimensions from waist to hands. The normal one can't see his hub. The one with a short torso but long arms can see his hub below the bars and the one with a long torso and short arms can see the hub above the bars.

    But that's still pretty simplistic and I don't think the above three riders would necessarily be on the same frame anyway.

    To the OP - it depends on whether or not you are comfortable but the last thing you should be doing is shifting the saddle forward to hide the hub!
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  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    styxd wrote:
    Its complete nonsense.

    This.
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  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Flasher wrote:
    I wouldn't say it's complete nonsense, for quick basic set-up it's a reasonable starting point, a proper bike fit would be better, and moving your saddle to correct reach is a very bad idea!

    +1 Its a starting point. Actually my front hub is hidden by the handlebars :D

    A big factor will be the angle of you torso.

    What's your height, and size frame (both seat tube and top tube)?
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  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    its not complete nonsense. Worth a few quid buying a cheap 2nd hand shorter stem off ebay to see if it feels more comfortable, or flip your 110 stem upside down to bring the bars a bit higher and closer. If your current setup is causing you back/writs/shoulder discomfort then it might help you.
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,118
    Gabbo wrote:
    Apparently so, being able to see the front hub whilst in the seating position means the sizing of the bike is incorrect.

    Well it is a very rough guide
    Gabbo wrote:
    If you see the front hub behind the stem/handles you're suppose to purchase a shorter stem, and if you see it past the handles then you're suppose to purchase a longer stem.

    it depends why you can see the front hub but if you are in a comfortable position and can see the front hub in front of the stem you have a short frame. (note I didn't say too short).
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