Stems (and i don't mean legs... :))

I'm having some trouble with the fit of my "new" (at least to me!) road bike. The guy that helped me fit it had me sit with my hands on the hoods and look straight down... since the middle of the stem/handlebars was over the front hub, it "fit." then the guy at the LBS (which i hate because he makes me feel like a total moron) told me that my elbows were too straight and that if i fell I'd break them.
ack!!
i prefer riding on the flat of the bar, rather than the hoods (my arms hurt after a while there, maybe i'm just a weakling! ;)). I'm afraid that a shorter stem will be too short... is there a "rule" as far as where the handlebars should be in relation to the wheel hub? and can i adjust them without coughing up $$$$ for a new stem? i tried moving my seat forward, but i've also heard that that will reduce your pedaling power... basically what it comes down to is, when riding, should my arms be fairly bent, or fairly straight?
and one more question... since my bike was used, i didn't have a whole lot of options (ie: no women's specific fit). my hands are really small, and i can't reach the brakes when riding in the drops without rotating my wrist (which hurts). is there any way to adjust the distance between the handlebar and the breaks? i'd go to the LBS, but i have yet to find one that doesn't treat me like an imbicile! so for now i'm doing maintenance out of a book... :p
thanks much!!!

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Originally posted by fultzie
the guy at the LBS (which i hate because he makes me feel like a total moron)

i'd go to the LBS, but i have yet to find one that doesn't treat me like an imbicile!

thanks much!!!

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I say go to another LBS!!! There are lots of things you can do to make the bike more confortable for you. But if it's that bad, you might not ever be able to make an ill-fitting bike fit you. A good LBS is probably what you really need. They may be able to get you a better set-up. Or they may tell you you've got the wrong bike.

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Originally posted by fultzie
i can't reach the brakes when riding in the drops without rotating my wrist (which hurts).

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You won't enjoy riding as much if the bike isn't right for you. And more importantly, you could get injured!!!:mad: This doesn't sound good!

There's an old thread in here somewhere, where each of us listed our favorite LBS' for our city.

Hopefully, you have more than one. I'm a pretty pro-active consumer. If I don't like the service I'm getting, I try to have a polite chat with the manager. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. But at least then they know why they have lost a customer.

Irulan

Man don't you hate it when men the SOB's do that to you. I would have to say that you need to find a new LBS. And like Irulan said talk to the manager and let him know what you think of his employee. Hopefully he is not the SOB but then if he is let him have it with both barrels. That is so wrong. Some times I think they (men) think its their sport and only theirs. And woman don't belong. New LBS definitely. Hopefully not a new bike. That is unless you want a new bike.
As I have learned on this board that you can't have too many bikes. ;)

Good luck. :)
And babe you are not the moron HE IS. ;) :)

The "bars over hub" rule is a general guideline. Sort of like the "stand over" test it helps give the salesperson a general baseline as far as what size bike the customer should begin test riding.

As far as stems being too short: stem length does, to a degree affect handling. My (strictly personal) preference on a road bike is a stem 100-120 mm long. I've seen shorter and I've seen longer, but I ride what feels right to me (110 on my current bike).

Your elbows shoud be "relaxed" . If you elbows are "locked" you are tensed up and this can cause shoulder and neck pain. Slightly flexed elbows also absorb some of the road shock. You have the ability to control the amout of flex. Try this on the trainer: Sit on your saddle, perched on the sitbones. Now lean forward, place your hands on the hoods and bend your elbows. If you cannot maintain this position you may simply not yet have the strength/flexibilty OR the bike may indeed be too long in the top tube.

If the bike is too long...yes you will have to switch stems. It's not a perfect fix, but it's cheaper than a new bike.

You may also benefit from different handlebars. The has been good discussion on this on this board in the past (try a search in "general topics" and in the gear section).

Good luck.

Thanks so much for all of the replies!
My friend and I are currently searching out a new LBS... thankfully there are about six bike stores in town, but most cater to student/recreational riders, and I need someone who knows a bit about racing. The jerk at the current one is not only the manager, but also a guy on the UMich team! ack!!! i've heard that he's pretty mean to everyone, including some male teammates...
as for a shorter stem: i hope it works! being on a student's budget makes it hard to splurge on all of the bikes i'd like to own!!!! :p the same friend that's helping me search out an LBS has a brand-new short stem that she offered to sell me for less than she paid. :D yay!
thanks again!!!!!!!

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Originally posted by fultzie

My friend and I are currently searching out a new LBS... thankfully there are about six bike stores in town

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Fultzie- Good luck in your search. I hope you find a good shop. My LBS is like my home-away-from-the-trails. They have a few organized rides, they're very helpful and knowledgeable, and it's a pretty great place just to hang out.

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Originally posted by Irulan
There's an old thread in here somewhere, where each of us listed our favorite LBS' for our city.

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I searched for this thread, but "LBS" is not a long enough word to search for... Anybody know what the thread was titled? Or does anyone have any suggestions for shops in or around Ann Arbor?

Wow that's surprising about the LBS in A2. I grew up in Michigan I would have thought they'd be more friendly there.

Forget them if they are jerks! They aren't all like that, keep looking and remember your money is green, so you deserve the service

Well, I finally found a decent (actually, a GREAT) LBS... anyone in A2, i'd definitely recommend Two Wheel Tango (NOT Great Lakes, who was very rude to me and actually gyped my cycling buddy out of her "team discount").
I brought my bike in and got a fitting done. While Great Lakes had told me that I'd need a shorter stem and it would cost $80 (after just taking a look at me wearing street clothes and shoes on my bike... no measurements), Two Wheel actually used an adjustable stem and a computer program to figure out that my frame size was fine (whew!) and I needed a longer stem ($40) with a higher rise and shallower handlebars (so i can ride in the drops and reach the brake levers). not bad for $50 (the parts and labor will cost about $120 total). And i had moved my seat forward to be more comfortable (closer to the bars), but in fact it needs to be as far back as it goes, so i can get more power in my pedaling (he measured the placement of my knees in relation to the pedals). the best part was, the guy explained the reasons for each of the changes and how it would effect my ride.
i kind of bombed out on my first race of the season this weekend (asthma attack... i blame the cold ohio air) but i'm looking forward to seeing how much of a difference the changes on my bike make (i take it in this week). and, even better, i get new maize n' blue handlebar tape!! woo hoo!!!
thanks to everyone for their advice! :D