Gear for little people

[mayanorange]

TxDoc- thanks for the input, I'll give them a call and see if they even have anything I can try (combo bike/ski shop, so have really low stock levels). It'd be great to try out yours (of course I'll let you know if I miraculously find something this weekend). Which 40 do you have? and are they both 26 clamps? I'll have to go get the stem I just returned last week if so- mine's 25.4 and the good shop accidentally got me a 26 that I would have kept, but it didn't quite go as high, tho might work with different bars. I must be driving these guys crazy between swapping out about 6 saddles and now the stem craziness.

Just called- they have a 40, so I'll head over there tonight and try that out and see what they say.

[TxDoc]

Which 40 do you have? and are they both 26 clamps?

40: Ritchey pro road, brand new, 31.8 clamp size.
38: Deda 4 girls, used, 26 clamp size.
Good luck!

[TxDoc]

Sorry, I meant to write the measurements too, the Ritchey is 110 reach and 145 drop I think.

[mayanorange]

They're both definite possibilities. I'll report back after the bike shop.

[mayanorange]

Well that was a waste of my time. Well, not totally- he adjusted my derailleurs and showed me how to wrap my bars and gave me tips on pedaling. But when it came to fit, it was a waste. They had a ritchey wing topped 40 that bent back (bad for wrist) and something ancient from the basement that may have been a nitto that was 40 and felt okayish, but they didn't have another stem to put in to try the ritchey or any other bars to try. Oh, and I knew more about clamp sizes and bar shapes than he did! Sigh.

So do I go to Landrys and get a proper fit? Or should I just try TxDoc's bars? I am a biomechanist, so I understand a lot of the fitting issues and have read a lot, but I can't step back and look at myself, so am doing some by tape measure then by feel from there or just by feel. I have a cycleops trainer which helps- as long as I can reach my tools I can adjust while sitting there Maybe there's something more I'm missing?

[TxDoc]

I am a biomechanist, so I understand a lot of the fitting issues and have read a lot, but I can't step back and look at myself, so am doing some by tape measure then by feel from there or just by feel. I have a cycleops trainer which helps- as long as I can reach my tools I can adjust while sitting there Maybe there's something more I'm missing?

Ok, I am missing the whole picture here... what is the geometry of your bike and what's your current setup (saddle height, stem, bars angle...)?
And well yes, a professional fit would always be best!
Now, with your profession you may get by and do it yourself - with mirrors and some help (like someone taking your measurements and angles while you are on the bike on the trainer). It will take much longer than doing it in a pro bike shop. Of course it's cheaper, but again, a good fit is very important...
Anyway, I just placed the bars with some other stuff on the TE yard sale, if you decide to try them let me know and I can scratch them from that post
But seriously what is the geometry of the bike? I think I'm quite confused now at what the reach problem is
As a side note: when you find out that you know more about bikes than the shop owner (and your name is not Lance Armstrong or Jeannie Longo), then you need to change bike shop!!!
Good luck!

[mayanorange]

Ok, I am missing the whole picture here... what is the geometry of your bike and what's your current setup (saddle height, stem, bars angle...)?

Pic of my current setup at the bottom. It's a 54 and here's the specs from bikepedia: http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeS...4301&Type=bike I don't have official geometries but I took a few measurements. My measurements: height 5' 7.5", inseam 91cm, around the torso (looped around crotch and shoulder) 155cm, arm length 60cm. Current saddle height 92cm from pedal at the bottom of the stroke (I like to point my toes a bit). Current reach for center of bar clamp to center of seat clamp 63cm.

As for the reach problem, basically I just wanted my bars a bit higher since I have my seat rather high for toe pointing. I went for a ride yesterday and I felt a bit cramped in my body but my arms were so splayed to reach the hoods at 44, that I can't go further out yet. I think once I get a smaller bar, I'll want to increase my reach to closer to the original (90mm) but still bring it up a bit (so maybe 100-105 but 20-30 degree), which helps my wrist and flabby tummy deal better.

[elk]

sidenote:

can I re-use my Brooks leather tape if I change back to my other bar? It's on the new bar thats on the bike until I decide.....?