Stem and Hoods questions

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, and some of them even put baskets on their handlebars

Yes, and they actually have ROOM to put baskets on them since their handlebars aren't 18" from the ground!

[lunacycles]

Of course I always think it's good to remember now and then that probably 90% or more of the world's active bicycle riders are neither leisure OR competitive riders- but are riding their bikes for basic transportation and for transporting things. Few of those people ride with their handlebars lower than their saddles- they ride mostly upright and they really lay on the miles on a daily basis. These are serious bike riders, not leisure riders (as most of us actually are).

Good point. It occurred to me later I should have asterisked the whole spiel with some reference to this referring to traditional roadie positions. Frankly, I think if people are happy with their positions and loving their bikes, regardless of what style of riding they do, then there is definitely nothing to "fix."

[GraysonKelly]

Good point. It occurred to me later I should have asterisked the whole spiel with some reference to this referring to traditional roadie positions. Frankly, I think if people are happy with their positions and loving their bikes, regardless of what style of riding they do, then there is definitely nothing to "fix."

Luna,
I appreciated all your advice on this. I knew that a lot of what I was going to get in the way of suggestions was going to be along the lines of the stuff you talked about. But it helps so much. I have read and reread all the posts, took out my bike and tried really hard to picture what you all were talking about. It helped a lot. I'm not an aggressive rider. I don't really like being in the drops...probably because I can't reach them comfortably. But I don't know what kind of rider I'll be until I get more comfortable and that really really helped that I could get all of your and other people's advice. I would say I'm a cross between a leisure/commuter/long-distance/stress relief/ because I love it rider. Not really sure there's a cookie cutter bike set up for that category...but I know from all of you that the bike needs to fit and feel good. The rest is up to me. And That's the part I really love about riding. So thank you and the rest of you for all your advice.
Have a great day!
Gray