Bike Fit - short top tube

[pink monkey]

Thank you so much for the feedback!! You two have giving me a lot to think about. I am beginning to think that maybe my bike really is a good fit for me but since I have been a roadie for years, I am use to being stretched out more.

Is there anyway to tell if it's a good fit? I know with road bikes, there is generic the handle bar/hub test... (sitting on the bike, holding onto the handle bars, you want the handlebars to block the view of the front hub). Does this test work for mountain bikes too or is there a similar test I could use?

[Irulan]

do you have any neck/shoulder/wrist/back discomfort or aches would be #1.
#2 is, are you able to move dynamically on the bike... that is, can you easily move your hips back behind the saddle without being stretched out? Do you feel stable, or do you feel like if you aren't careful you'll be pitched over the bars?

[pink monkey]

I have been having some mid-back pain while riding. I feel like my nose is in front of the handlebars while i'm going downhill and it makes me feel like i'm going to tip forward. I dont know if that makes any sense. Maybe i'm not scooting back in the seat enough? i'm officially confused now. haha!

[Irulan]

I have been having some mid-back pain while riding. I feel like my nose is in front of the handlebars while i'm going downhill and it makes me feel like i'm going to tip forward. I dont know if that makes any sense. Maybe i'm not scooting back in the seat enough? i'm officially confused now. haha!

It makes total sense. Do try changing your body position on a descent: don't "hover" over your saddle and move back, extend your legs ( not locked) and move back. This should be comfortable, not feel stretched out in the front. This is one way to tell if your cockpit is too long.

The way you'd test this is to extend ( again, not hover) up in the saddle feet at 3 & 9, and then move your torso back. You should ultimately be able to position yourself so that your chest is over your saddle and your butt is over the back tire. Sure, this is an extreme descending position but you never know when you might need it. This is a test is all.

Or, go head and switch out your stem for about 1/2" shorter to start and see if that feels any different.