Bike fit question

jd843
jd843 Posts: 59
edited September 2016 in Road general
Hi,

I've read in many bike fit articles that the angle between your torso and upper arm should be about 90° when your hands are on the hoods, and also that you should have a slight bend in your arms. I recently got a shorter stem to create the slight bend in my arms, but looking at my position now, the angle between my torso and upper arm is much less than 90°, which apparently suggests my bars are too close.

If I go back to my longer stem, this may give me the 90° arm-torso angle, but I'll no longer have the elbow bend (and will probably get shoulder pain). Is there some other element of bike fit that can affect arm-torso angle?

Thanks.

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Step away from the protractor and just ride your bike. If you can't detect a difference without meaasuring it, then it doesn't matter anyway.
  • jd843
    jd843 Posts: 59
    Imposter wrote:
    Step away from the protractor and just ride your bike. If you can't detect a difference without meaasuring it, then it doesn't matter anyway.

    Should have said in OP: I got upper back pain with my old longer stem, and now I get lower back pain. That's why I'm trying to pinpoint issues with my fit.
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    raise the stem .... that should shift it to middle backpain at the very least !
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    It sounds like there is too much pressure on your lower back which suggests you have your weight to much towards the rear of the bike. The position you are looking for is to be leaning into the bike a little , be stable on the saddle and also feel like you are in the bike rather than perched rigidly on top of it.

    I would use KOPS to confirm your saddle position is about right. It gets it roughly right and you can then adjust as needed. Also make sure your saddle is level, if it tilts backwards it puts pressure on your lower back. Having the saddle too low can also cause lower back pain, with the pedal down and the crank arm in line with the seat tube you want a slight bend in your leg with your foot flat.

    Bike fit is part logic and part personal preference. My saddle to bar drop is just over an inch as I find this more comfortable and it means I can ride in the drops for long periods. Have a think there ideally you would like the bars. If you flip the stem it decreases reach and increases height. Just remember the saddle position is purely to get you legs in the right position and not to adjust reach.

    Good Luck !!!

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