What kind of saddle to bar drop do you guys have on racing bikes? I'm mostly interested in those around six feet tall, but all feel free.
frogjasm
around 8 cm...
But I have a trek so I've got that whole short head tube thing going on which allows plenty of room to make it happen.I had about the same on my previous bike but it was a stretch to make happen.
But I have a trek so I've got that whole short head tube thing going on which allows plenty of room to make it happen.I had about the same on my previous bike but it was a stretch to make happen.
There is no 'right' answer. Everyone is different. It depends on your body dimensions, length of arms, type of riding you do (races/long distance) and flexibility.
Many older riders that ride long distance like to keep the bar and saddle at the same height. This zero drop position keeps them comfortable all day long and still lets them ride in the drops when they want to. The younger riders like to keep the bar low.
Generally speaking, you want the bar/saddle position to be comfortable for your riding style. You want the bar to be high enough to be able to ride in the drops for extended periods of time without any pain or stress on your lower back and your 'BASS' area. Normally this is between 1 and 3 inches lower than your saddle. A common mistake is setting up the bar to be comfortable when riding on the hoods, but not when riding in the drops. This is a mistake in my opinion.
If you look at LA, you will notice that his bars are pretty high relative to his saddle. (about 1 inch lower). But the man has had problems in the past with his 'BASS' area. He has said, that the drop should be no more than 3 inches (7.6cm)
In my opinion, it is best to start with the bar higher (1 - 1.5 inches lower than saddle) and then move it down as you become comfortable. As your season progresses, you will find that you can handle a lower bar more easily.
On my racing bike the drop between saddle and bars is 8cm. As an older guy that does long distance and likes to ride in the drops (with short arms) , it should probably be a little higher. But I find this to work for me. But I also need to stretch before and after every ride. (5'10)
Many older riders that ride long distance like to keep the bar and saddle at the same height. This zero drop position keeps them comfortable all day long and still lets them ride in the drops when they want to. The younger riders like to keep the bar low.
Generally speaking, you want the bar/saddle position to be comfortable for your riding style. You want the bar to be high enough to be able to ride in the drops for extended periods of time without any pain or stress on your lower back and your 'BASS' area. Normally this is between 1 and 3 inches lower than your saddle. A common mistake is setting up the bar to be comfortable when riding on the hoods, but not when riding in the drops. This is a mistake in my opinion.
If you look at LA, you will notice that his bars are pretty high relative to his saddle. (about 1 inch lower). But the man has had problems in the past with his 'BASS' area. He has said, that the drop should be no more than 3 inches (7.6cm)
In my opinion, it is best to start with the bar higher (1 - 1.5 inches lower than saddle) and then move it down as you become comfortable. As your season progresses, you will find that you can handle a lower bar more easily.
On my racing bike the drop between saddle and bars is 8cm. As an older guy that does long distance and likes to ride in the drops (with short arms) , it should probably be a little higher. But I find this to work for me. But I also need to stretch before and after every ride. (5'10)
11-13 cm
But as the others have said this is a fairly useless dimension for you. Mine varies because I move spacers from under the stem to over from time to time depending on the type of riding I'm doing. So far this year I've left it at the higher position and all is good. FWIW, I'm 6'4" with fairly proportionate dimensions.
If in doubt, leave the steerer long initially so that you have some adjustment/experimentation room. Just don't exceed the manufacturer's specs for how much steerer you leave unsupported if it's a carbon steerer.
But as the others have said this is a fairly useless dimension for you. Mine varies because I move spacers from under the stem to over from time to time depending on the type of riding I'm doing. So far this year I've left it at the higher position and all is good. FWIW, I'm 6'4" with fairly proportionate dimensions.
If in doubt, leave the steerer long initially so that you have some adjustment/experimentation room. Just don't exceed the manufacturer's specs for how much steerer you leave unsupported if it's a carbon steerer.
Whatever is comfortable.
Most racers try to get as low as possible to reduce drag, but with that comes discomfort. Most recreational riders are at about 2-3 inches...one of the strongest guys I ride with seems like he is sitting straight up on the saddle...his bars are almost at saddle height...I ask him why he doesn't lower them and his reply is it isn't comfortable and he can go faster when his neck and back aren't bothering him. To each his own....frogjasm said:
There's good fit advise here; http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Basically, he recommends moving the handlebar farther forward and lower for better power and aerodynamics. Higher and closer to the seat for more comfort at lower speeds.
Basically, he recommends moving the handlebar farther forward and lower for better power and aerodynamics. Higher and closer to the seat for more comfort at lower speeds.
10cm and 12cm
10cm on two bikes and 12cm on the other. I usually ride on the hoods until the speed picks up to over 26-27mph or when I go to the front. It all depends on how flexable your back is. If you can't touch your toes with your fingers, you're better off with the bars the same level as the seat. If you can touch your knuckles to the floor, you can go with 5cm drop. If you can touch your palms, you can go with a 10-14cm drop. The longer that you have been riding, the more flexable your back gets (unless you develop back problems).
One of the riders on my team is over 70, and he has an 8-10cm drop ( I have to admit that he is an ex-pro, so this won't apply to everyone)
10cm on two bikes and 12cm on the other. I usually ride on the hoods until the speed picks up to over 26-27mph or when I go to the front. It all depends on how flexable your back is. If you can't touch your toes with your fingers, you're better off with the bars the same level as the seat. If you can touch your knuckles to the floor, you can go with 5cm drop. If you can touch your palms, you can go with a 10-14cm drop. The longer that you have been riding, the more flexable your back gets (unless you develop back problems).
One of the riders on my team is over 70, and he has an 8-10cm drop ( I have to admit that he is an ex-pro, so this won't apply to everyone)
3 to 3.5 inches - 5'10" - never race.
I put my stem as low as I can comfortably. Did a 200k on a windy day the Saturday before last and my old fat self rode away from some younger, fitter riders with tall stems and upright riding positions. Imho, lower is better but pain trumps lower.
Tall stem advocates say you can always ride in the drops, but seldom mention that you can always sit up and ride on the tops.
Bear in mind that when you lower your bars the angle of the head tube also moves them forward, increasing your reach in two directions.
I put my stem as low as I can comfortably. Did a 200k on a windy day the Saturday before last and my old fat self rode away from some younger, fitter riders with tall stems and upright riding positions. Imho, lower is better but pain trumps lower.
Tall stem advocates say you can always ride in the drops, but seldom mention that you can always sit up and ride on the tops.
Bear in mind that when you lower your bars the angle of the head tube also moves them forward, increasing your reach in two directions.
14-15 cm
I'm 6' but a freak of nature with long arms and long lower legs. I end up with a far forward & high seat position . I also need a long stem and a lot of drop on the bars to get into a good aero position due to the long arms. The seat post police would arrest me, but it is what works for me.
Like the others are telling you it depends on your body dimensions, your flexibility and your goals (aero vs. comfort).
Do not make changes to bar height quickly or your back will suffer. Make small changes over time. It takes time for your muscles to adapt and strengthen.
I'm 6' but a freak of nature with long arms and long lower legs. I end up with a far forward & high seat position . I also need a long stem and a lot of drop on the bars to get into a good aero position due to the long arms. The seat post police would arrest me, but it is what works for me.
Like the others are telling you it depends on your body dimensions, your flexibility and your goals (aero vs. comfort).
Do not make changes to bar height quickly or your back will suffer. Make small changes over time. It takes time for your muscles to adapt and strengthen.
frogjasm said:
5' 11" with an 11 cm drop.
Ride what is comfortable. If the drop is so much that you are in pain you won't be able to make the power you need to not get shelled.
Ride what is comfortable. If the drop is so much that you are in pain you won't be able to make the power you need to not get shelled.
...
Nearly level, maybe just slightly below the saddle, but I'm more of a distance type of rider and I don't race. I could probably lower the stem some and be fine, but it has just been this way forever (almost 13 years) and it seems to work so why change it.
Nearly level, maybe just slightly below the saddle, but I'm more of a distance type of rider and I don't race. I could probably lower the stem some and be fine, but it has just been this way forever (almost 13 years) and it seems to work so why change it.
10 - 13 cm Drop
I would likely be more comfortable with a lesser drop, but for some reason feel more efficient with a larger drop. Took some getting used to, though.
I would likely be more comfortable with a lesser drop, but for some reason feel more efficient with a larger drop. Took some getting used to, though.
5'4", very long torso, very short legs. on my Seven stage race bike, about 1cm drop. on my TCR crit bike, about 2cm. when I posted shots of my Seven, people thought I was some idiot with too much money and asked me when I was going to lower my stem. the thing is, my friends still complain that they can see the whole road when I'm pulling. on either bike, if I crouch enough I can get my legs to my chest. when I recently went to measure my position, I found myeslf wondering if Seven messed up. I think I'm low enough on either bike, though.frogjasm said:
10 cm top of saddle to top of bars. It's easiest to measure by measuring vertically up from the floor to each then subtracting.
So would the answer be what drop you used 10 years ago or what you are doing today. Some riders in this forum might have still been riding up and down the street on their BMX 10 years ago. Anyway I am 5"10" and my bars are set at 85mm of drop. That's my current bike. A comfortable set up for an older recreational rider without flexibility issues.
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