Road bike fit conundrum
sw19carpenters
Posts: 133
in Road general
I've got a trek emonda 58cm 2014 model. Initially I thought too small but 1st road bike so leapt into riding it ,commuting and leisure.i really like it now but as my 1st road bike at 47 I'm unsure how it's meant to fit/feel.
I've pushed seat back now and swapped 2 of 3 spacers to get stem down.
I'm trying to ride with shoulders loose but it seems a mental thing that I have to keep checking ✔️ and in the drops it feels a bit cramped.
I've got long arms and 6ft 1.
But on the hoods like I say I find my arms straight and have to keep changing to shoulders loose.
There's a 62cm version of my bike for sale and the seat tube to stem measurement is 25mm longer.
There's also a 60cm .
All adverts including mine when I bought it say "I'm 6ft and bike fits perfectly."
Is it a thing that as you get used to riding in these road style positions that the natural progression is to stretch out longer and lower?
Could I buy a lean back stem for my current 58cm to recreate a bigger frame to see or are there other variables like stand over height to consider.
I'm commuting around 8 to 10 miles a day.
So I've gone from hybrid bike for leisure to road bike commuting all at once.
I've pushed seat back now and swapped 2 of 3 spacers to get stem down.
I'm trying to ride with shoulders loose but it seems a mental thing that I have to keep checking ✔️ and in the drops it feels a bit cramped.
I've got long arms and 6ft 1.
But on the hoods like I say I find my arms straight and have to keep changing to shoulders loose.
There's a 62cm version of my bike for sale and the seat tube to stem measurement is 25mm longer.
There's also a 60cm .
All adverts including mine when I bought it say "I'm 6ft and bike fits perfectly."
Is it a thing that as you get used to riding in these road style positions that the natural progression is to stretch out longer and lower?
Could I buy a lean back stem for my current 58cm to recreate a bigger frame to see or are there other variables like stand over height to consider.
I'm commuting around 8 to 10 miles a day.
So I've gone from hybrid bike for leisure to road bike commuting all at once.
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can you post a pic of you on the bike please,?
fwiw, 58cm is 6'1 bob on.The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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Yes will do tomorrow.
Can get a work mate to take photo.
Cheers mf0 -
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Why it went sideways I've no idea.
I have no problem with knees hitting anything0 -
That bike does not look too big to me.
The 3rd pic, hand on hoods looks right. Yes your arms are extended but not fully locked out which suggests stem length is good.
There are no hard and fast rules to exact position, as long as the frame is the correct size, we tend to gravitate towards what feels more comfortable. You can go low and long but it is not a natural position and does take a while to get used to. For an 8-10 mile commute there isn't much need for a 'race' position though.1 -
It was a feeling of to small initially and it's 4 miles each way ish as I'm a loft converter so distance changes per job.
I do like to challenge myself on the commute as I did when riding for leisure so I do drop to the drops when I can.
I really love the bike and the new style of riding but just wanted to make sure it's as optimum as possible.
Why are there so many sizes for frames mine is 58cm but 60cm is only around 12mm longer headtube.
As a carpenter it seems nominal in terms of body length and shape.
Cheers0 -
Am thinking that save for your legs being a tiny bit over extended - easily solved by lowering seat a cm or to max - ll actually looks groovy tbh.
The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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Yep I was going to say your legs look a bit over extended, although as you are not in your actual cycling shoes, that might change things, but I suspect down a few mm would not hurt.
If you still feel too cramped, and assuming your bike runs a bog standard stem and bars, you could very cheaply buy a longer stem, either new or 2nd hand for a few pounds to test.
I suspect your 58 will come with a 100 or 110 stem, with an outside chance of a 120, so a good shout could be to source a marginally longer stem to see if that makes you feel less cramped, and it's a cheap experiment as well.
Low and long took me a fair while to get used to (conditioned my body into it on the turbo, by riding in a position for a couple of months, then fitting a longer stem, and or dropping the stem down one spacer for another coupe of months, worked a treat though - started with a 60mm stem, progressed up in 10mm increments, and settled on a 110) as I had a herniated disc a good while back now, and also have a long inseam, and comparatively short torso.Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
If you're after v good stems at a v good price, Decathlon - I've just bought 2 of their £14.99 aero stems and they arevmega - basically a plsin black Deda Superzero at a 3rd of the price.
The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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.The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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https://decathlon.co.uk/p/high-performance-road-bike-stem-satin-black/_/R-p-308976?mc=8551019
Is that this one MF? Need to swap out for a shorter stem on the winter bike so will give one of these a try.1 -
Super cheap 115mm one here for a tenner: https://merlincycles.com/deda-elementi-el-road-stem-250031.html
Or if you look 2nd hand you might find some bargains, although often with postage on top (Unless you get lucky with locality) it becomes as pricey as a new one.
Deda Zero here too: https://probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-handlebars-stems/deda-zero-stem/11449016.htmlFelt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 181 -
yup - that be the puppy exactly. i bought 100mm and 110mm to replace a PRO Vibe 7 jobbie.MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:https://decathlon.co.uk/p/high-performance-road-bike-stem-satin-black/_/R-p-308976?mc=8551019
Is that this one MF? Need to swap out for a shorter stem on the winter bike so will give one of these a try.
top purchase tbh.
.The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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As above, I thought your legs may be a little extended but not far out. Trainers might add some forefoot depth but may also lack the same amount of rise towards the heel. In the drops your knee comes up just inside or close to the elbow, so not bad on reach. If you're not racing that's probably not a bad balance of comfort vs aero.0
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patio is in right shitshape though. come on dude - standards standards......
The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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yup - that be the puppy exactly. i bought 100mm and 110mm to replace a PRO Vibe 7 jobbie.
top purchase tbh
Cheers MF, lots of good reviews for it too.1 -
Super cheap 115mm one here for a tenner: https://merlincycles.com/deda-elementi-el-road-stem-250031.html
Or if you look 2nd hand you might find some bargains, although often with postage on top (Unless you get lucky with locality) it becomes as pricey as a new one.
Deda Zero here too: https://probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-handlebars-stems/deda-zero-stem/11449016.html
Thanks Dan!1 -
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The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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no worries dude - pleasure to help anytimeMidlandsGrimpeur2 said:yup - that be the puppy exactly. i bought 100mm and 110mm to replace a PRO Vibe 7 jobbie.
top purchase tbh
Cheers MF, lots of good reviews for it too..The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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You might want to look up if you are hoping to get out of the garden in one piece.sw19carpenters said:
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Yes,I've been riding too work in Nike trainers with a bigger sole.
Thanks for advice will look at stems.
I've yet too clip in as I'd need to have trainers for work also my journey is pretty hazardous through Catford/Lewisham.
So the consensus is don't look for a frame with longer headtube.0 -
Another thing I'm learning too do...look up when travelling 25mph in the drops.webboo said:
You might want to look up if you are hoping to get out of the garden in one piece.sw19carpenters said:
I need to get some thin rimmed sunglasses/cycling glasses so I'm not looking through the sunglass helmet visor letterbox.😳😂😂0 -
Yes I need a road helmet too...Currently using a mtb one.0
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yeah - mug that off. have a squiz at Plnet X for cheap ones that get v good reviewssw19carpenters said:Yes I need a road helmet too...Currently using a mtb one.
.The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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deffo not a longer headtubesw19carpenters said:Yes,I've been riding too work in Nike trainers with a bigger sole.
Thanks for advice will look at stems.
I've yet too clip in as I'd need to have trainers for work also my journey is pretty hazardous through Catford/Lewisham.
So the consensus is don't look for a frame with longer headtube..The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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you do reslise that you'll get a free 3mph top end increase once you bin off the reflectors on the wheels.
The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
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Saddle too high. That's lower back pain city right there.0
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Reflectors removed...seat down a tad.
After I put stem down by 2 spacers I didn't lower the seat and I have had a bad back episode as I thought like a t...wat it would lengthen my position.
I've bought a 130mm stem from ebay 2nd hand.
Will fit that and unslam the stem.1
