Should I lower my handlebars?

NITR8s

I currently ride a Pinarello and if any of you guys know how they build italian bikes they have very low front ends so tend to have a load of spacers underneath the stem. From get go I put the stem under one of the spacers, which leaves about 4cms of spacers to go. Having short legs the bars are currently about 1cm below saddle height, so not really any drop.

Now I feel I have quite a flexible lower back and was wondering if i would feel any benefit from slaming the stem. I know I just need to give it ago to see how it feels but was wondering if it is really worth it or not. I understand it will make me more aero having a lower front end but will i actually notice any difference.

sloppyschleckonds

One spacer at a time

Essex Man

I'd be amazed if you noticed any difference in speed from a few cm extra drop. Depends whether you're keen to shave off the seconds.

Not sure if you can keep stacking the spacers on top of the stem or whether you need to cut the steerer, I'm sure someone else with a Pinarello could advise...

Neale1978

Take the stem off and take out a spacer or two, put the stem back on.. spacers back on top & then take the bike out out & see how it feels. If you get the stem to a height that feels right then keep it there & trim your steerer afterwards

WarlKicken

NITR8s wrote:

I currently ride a Pinarello and if any of you guys know how they build italian bikes they have very low front ends so tend to have a load of spacers underneath the stem. From get go I put the stem under one of the spacers, which leaves about 4cms of spacers to go. Having short legs the bars are currently about 1cm below saddle height, so not really any drop.

Now I feel I have quite a flexible lower back and was wondering if i would feel any benefit from slaming the stem. I know I just need to give it ago to see how it feels but was wondering if it is really worth it or not. I understand it will make me more aero having a lower front end but will i actually notice any difference.

I hope this isn't seen as 'hijaking' a thread or something, my Forum thread is a little off so I'd like to apologise in advance if it is....BUT, what Pina do you ride pal? I was looking at getting on for my longer weekend rides but could actually get some 'advice' off someone who actually owns one than just the salesmen :-D

NITR8s

I only ride the entry level 2012 FP Uno, so if you are thinking about a more upmarket model then I cant help there.

As for the FP Uno yes the bike does retail at £1400 and you only get an aluminium frame with carbon rearstay and forks with 105 shifters and tiagra for the rest. I will admit you can get alot more bang for your buck if you go someone where else and I have often thought of what I could be riding if I did that. However, I love the bike and always remember why I bought it.

The ride quality is superb and the asymetrical frame does make a difference. The only problem I had was that the headset bearings needed replacing after about 500 miles of riding. I ended up buying some replacement bearing off ebay for £8 so that wasnt too bad in the end.

Also if you get one you better get used to everyone saying "Nice Bike" all the time.

racingcondor

Well if you're flexible and have reasonable core strength you should be fine taking all of them out with your current drop. If you do start adjusting the height of the front end though do it 5mm at a time and take the change slowly.

Whether it's a good idea or not though is a much larger question... Is there a particular reason you want to?

fevmeister

pics please

neeb

Try dropping it a bit at a time and see if you are faster. If you can still generate the same power with the bars lower, AND you ride on the drops just as much as you did before, it should make you a little faster. Everyone has a sweet spot however - if you drop it too much so that you can't generate as much power because your hip angle is tighter and/or you don't ride on the drops as much, it could make you slower despite making you more aero. The only way to find out is to try it for a week or two and look at your times over familiar routes.

oldwelshman

WarlKicken wrote:

NITR8s wrote:

I currently ride a Pinarello and if any of you guys know how they build italian bikes they have very low front ends so tend to have a load of spacers underneath the stem. From get go I put the stem under one of the spacers, which leaves about 4cms of spacers to go. Having short legs the bars are currently about 1cm below saddle height, so not really any drop.

Now I feel I have quite a flexible lower back and was wondering if i would feel any benefit from slaming the stem. I know I just need to give it ago to see how it feels but was wondering if it is really worth it or not. I understand it will make me more aero having a lower front end but will i actually notice any difference.

I hope this isn't seen as 'hijaking' a thread or something, my Forum thread is a little off so I'd like to apologise in advance if it is....BUT, what Pina do you ride pal? I was looking at getting on for my longer weekend rides but could actually get some 'advice' off someone who actually owns one than just the salesmen :-D

I have a Prince, and personally I would never buy a Pino again. Shocking after sales service and over priced frame, very stiff, fitted with most branded BB which is FSA with no clearance between inner ring and frame, if you ship the chain it gets stuck and you will not get it out whilst riding and shifting up, have to stop. I scratched my frame trying. Cannot fit standard dogclip due to oversize frame, fitted one to front mech so a bit better.
Maybe after sales will improve with Halfords, cannot be any worse, but is frame worth £2.4k when you compare to others?
I prefer my Willier Izoard.

jgsi

oldwelshman wrote:

WarlKicken wrote:

NITR8s wrote:

I currently ride a Pinarello and if any of you guys know how they build italian bikes they have very low front ends so tend to have a load of spacers underneath the stem. From get go I put the stem under one of the spacers, which leaves about 4cms of spacers to go. Having short legs the bars are currently about 1cm below saddle height, so not really any drop.

Now I feel I have quite a flexible lower back and was wondering if i would feel any benefit from slaming the stem. I know I just need to give it ago to see how it feels but was wondering if it is really worth it or not. I understand it will make me more aero having a lower front end but will i actually notice any difference.

I hope this isn't seen as 'hijaking' a thread or something, my Forum thread is a little off so I'd like to apologise in advance if it is....BUT, what Pina do you ride pal? I was looking at getting on for my longer weekend rides but could actually get some 'advice' off someone who actually owns one than just the salesmen :-D

I have a Prince, and personally I would never buy a Pino again. Shocking after sales service and over priced frame, very stiff, fitted with most branded BB which is FSA with no clearance between inner ring and frame, if you ship the chain it gets stuck and you will not get it out whilst riding and shifting up, have to stop. I scratched my frame trying. Cannot fit standard dogclip due to oversize frame, fitted one to front mech so a bit better.
Maybe after sales will improve with Halfords, cannot be any worse, but is frame worth £2.4k when you compare to others?
I prefer my Willier Izoard.

Good post.. downsides of bikes ... we need separate thread for those brave enough to diss their own bike

diy

I think there can be benefits beyond aero benefits. Lowering your front, can increase the tension in your lower back muscles which will pull a little on your ham strings. This can give you a bit more springiness and access to more of the muscle for sprints.

The downside is a lower front can feel a bit extreme for faster down hills.

Jim C

Take all the spacers out, put them on top. Ride for a week. If its not working, add them back in one at a time.
One spacer taken out at a time, U won't notice any speed difference.
Taking them all out will be more aero. So pony as it doesn't affect your ability to put the power down

Just do it