handlebar height

[rose]

Hi,
I was wondering how high or low other people have put their handlebars. I was just in at my LBS and the guy said that the lower down they are the better it is aerodynamically and with stability. Is it possible to have them too far down? He said they need to be about 10-12cm lower than the seat. What do other people say?

[Owlie]

CM?! That's like 4 inches! Not everyone's a racer, so not everyone needs their bars that low, or their seat up that high--and that can't be comfortable for everyone. It depends on your flexibility, how close your bike fit is (for example, if I were to get a bike with the proper length top tube, I'd have a lot of seat post showing!) , and how you want to ride, not how some bike shop guy thinks you should ride. Hmph.

My bars are about level with my saddle. My seat could afford to come up a bit, but I'm lazy.

[radacrider]

The best position is what works for you. Today, my bars are at about seat height whereas in my slightly younger days, they were lower. I also use to use a longer stem on the road bike, I am now back to the shorter, stock stem.

Comfort, physical abilities/limitations all dictate what is the best position for you.

From Peter White's site http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

Next, where does the handlebar go? Just like the saddle, it all depends on what it is you're doing on a bike in the first place. The further forward the bar, the more power you will have standing and accelerating, the better the aerodynamics and high speed control. The lower the bar, the more you can pull up under hard acceleration and the better the aerodynamics. With the bar closer to you and/or higher, you can sit more upright and take in the view.

I like to use an adjustable stem that my customers can use for a few days to try different positions for a long enough time to be meaningful. But what about a starting point? For riders with drop bars, if you place your hands down in the drops at the forward most position, (the point that allows you to easily reach the brake levers), then bend your elbows enough that your forearms are horizontal, your elbow would be at a ninety degree angle for a good starting point. From there, try moving the bar in one half inch increments forward and back to find the best reach for you. Most people are quite comfortable just with the ninety degree elbow position. But that doesn't mean it's right for you. And of course this isn't a position you'd want to spend much time riding in, except on the occasional banzai descent down a mountain pass!

Racers generally end up with the handlebar height two to three inches below the saddle height, tourers will often like to have the bar at the same height as the saddle. Mountain bikers usually position the bar a couple of inches below the saddle. The important thing is to take enough time to find the best position for you. If that means setting up a touring bike with the handlebar four inches below the saddle height, so be it. I recommend the longest reach and lowest position you feel comfortable in, (with emphasis on comfortable).

[OakLeaf]

I say you choose a different shop to do your fitting.

[KnottedYet]

I say you choose a different shop to do your fitting.

Absolutely!

[goldfinch]

I say you choose a different shop to do your fitting.

Yup.

My handlebars are about level with the seat.

[Kathi]

My handlebars are slightly higher than my saddle but my position is neutral, not too high or low.

I once bought a bike from a shop where they were good at sizing bikes but not fitting bikes. They followed your shops philosophy and put my handlebars lower than my saddle. When I rode in the drops my thighs hit my rib cage. A good fitter from a different shop determined my handlebars on this bike were 4cm too low. It had nothing to do with my flexibility, or my type of riding, but more to do with short arms. I ended up buying a custom frame with a higher than average head tube to accommodate my short arms.

I agree with the others, find a good fitter. Check out their fitting credentials, what type of training, how long they have been doing fittings, how much do they charge, etc. Some shops charge a lot but reduce the cost if you buy a certain level bike from them.

Many things can be changed to dial in your fit, but, nothing can be done to make a poor fitting frame fit well.

[Biciclista]

you mean like this?

[rose]

I think the person at the LBS knows a lot about cycling, but I think he thinks I want to race. I don't want to race. I just like the wind going by and the feeling.

I had a fiddle with the handle bars. I had a giggle when I did drop them all the way down. It felt like my butt was sticking a mile up in the air. It was good for a laugh and to know that was definitely not for me. It was also a good learning curve to know how to move the bars. It is fun tinkering with your bike in your bedroom while the weather is horrible outside.

I fiddled again and moved the bars up about half way. It was much less stressful on my arms (didn't feel like a was doing a handstand everywhere lol). Now my handlebars are just below my saddle level.

Then again, this is a shop assistant that let me go home with no pedals the bike didn't actually come with pedals, not quite sure why, I think Azzurri assume that you already have all that stuff? So when I went back a few days later and talked to another guy, he was quite surprised that the first shop assistant had let me go with no pedals. This was also good for a giggle, laugh off the annoying things.

[Biciclista]

A lot of bikes come without pedals. But the guy at the LBS should have told you and sold you a pair!! doesn't sound like a place I would frequent.

[rose]

Well that makes me feel better to know other bikes don't come with pedals. I thought something odd had happened
Also, I got an awesome deal on some pedals and shoes elsewhere, so their loss..

Now to find a new LBS...

[Velocivixen]

As I was researching various bikes and components I went to very many bike shops (Portland metro has over 70!), and some shops cater more to the commuter, some more to racers, and some are more general. So maybe your shop is geared toward racers?

Congratulations on your bike!

[lph]

Mountain bikers usually position the bar a couple of inches below the saddle.

Sorry about the hijack, but really?? I've always had my bars below the saddle, but I've mostly been on-road. I'm a beginner mountain biker, and just recently switched to higher bars on my mtb, and it made a world of difference. No more feeling like I'm about to pitch over! They must be an inch or so above the saddle now, more when I set the saddle down for more technical riding.

[ny biker]

I say you choose a different shop to do your fitting.

I agree also.

If he doesn't understand that different riders have different goals, interests, levels of fitness and flexibility, etc., then he is not the right person to help you.

Many bikes come without pedals because riders have different preferences in terms of cleats/pedals, if you choose clipless. I started with regular pedals on my first road bike, then got SPD clipless pedals, and eventually switched to Speedplays because they work better for my knees.