Measurement advice between 2 bikes

Dizeee

I have just taken the four measurements on both my road bikes as per the GCN video and compared them. Can I ask whether the differences beneath are normal or should I consider some adjustment? My summer bike I have had a bike fit on (just a visual fit base don body measurments that took half an hour in a local shop). My winter bike is just random and fettled by me over the years.

Winter Bike - Saddle set back = 5cm / Reach = 52.5cm

Summer bike - Saddle set back = 8cm / Reach = 57cm

The other measurements are very close to each other so I haven't bothered posting them.

Whether it's in my head or not at the moment I get the impression my winter bike is more comfy than my summer bike. I am also a bit paranoid having just got over my piriformis issue, or at least I think I have, so am looking to make sure both bikes tally as best they can.

letap73

Obviously, there is a significant difference between the measurements. The longer reach, greater setback is more akin to an aggressive position and the other position is far less aggressive. The difference in measurements may make sense if you were comparing the need for different positions on a time trial bike and on a touring bike. I don't think there should be such a difference between a winter bike and your summer bike - if you ride similar routes in a similar fashion. You mention that you had a piriformis issue that you are not sure you have gotten over, this would suggest that you need to consider that you are appropriately fitted on a bike. This would suggest that it would be a good idea to get a bike fit (Adrian Timmis recommended) - expensive initially but in the long run it is cost effective to many cyclists. If a bike fit is out, then use the help of others to observe your ride position, the competitive cyclist website has a useful cycle fit tool to make a starting point. I find that getting the saddle right in terms of height and fore/aft position should be the first stage in getting the right bike fit.

mfin

Have you measured that saddle set back using a plumb line from the tip of the saddle and measuring it's distance behind the centre of the BB? ...and, is it the same saddle on each bike?

Dizeee

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19642145#p19642145]mfin[/url] wrote:

Have you measured that saddle set back using a plumb line from the tip of the saddle and measuring it's distance behind the centre of the BB? ...and, is it the same saddle on each bike?

Yes I measured BB to wall and saddle tip to wall then subtracted it, as per GCN video.