Does this make sense?

[fourflys]

So I had some good miles this weekend and noticed something about how I'm riding the bike.. First, here is my bike specs:
54cm SL4 Roubaix Stack 564, Reach 380 (548mm TT), I currently have a +17* 90mm stem and Spec Hover bars (something like a 2.5cm rise), so I currently have a pretty upright set-up. Seat height at ~68cm

So what I noticed riding this weekend is that I was spending a lot of time in the drops vs. the hoods, especially on my 20 mile ride today. I can ride on the hoods, but just feel more comfy in the drops.. so it got me thinking two things:

1. I can probably lower my bars some?
2. I need a shorter reach? I say this as I know if I lower my bars, the effective reach to the hoods gets longer and I feel the hoods may be a bit longer than I prefer now..

I know you can't do a fit over the net, but would love to know your all's thoughts..

[sheepdog84]

Originally Posted by fourflys

1. I can probably lower my bars some?
2. I need a shorter reach?

It's probably a bit of both. I assume with the SL4, you don't have the option to lower the stem due to the Futureshock system?.

Generally speaking, people can tolerate more drop than they can excessive reach, so maybe the easiest way to experiment here is to gradually swap the stem to something like a 80mm +10*, or +6*, and see what that feels like.

I'd use a tool like this one to figure out the different lengths/angles before buying a stem: http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

[robt57]

Originally Posted by sheepdog84

I assume with the SL4, you don't have the option to lower the stem due to the Futureshock system?.

I think this is an incorrect assumption. SL4 was before the gizmo, only having the slightly less gizmo-ish zertzy thing-a-ma-bobs...

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by robt57

I think this is an incorrect assumption. SL4 was before the gizmo, only having the slightly less gizmo-ish zertzy thing-a-ma-bobs...

correct, I could slam it if I wanted..

BTW- meant to link the geo in the original post..

https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geo...c3ce0017c6c215

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by sheepdog84

It's probably a bit of both. I assume with the SL4, you don't have the option to lower the stem due to the Futureshock system?.

Generally speaking, people can tolerate more drop than they can excessive reach, so maybe the easiest way to experiment here is to gradually swap the stem to something like a 80mm +10*, or +6*, and see what that feels like.

I'd use a tool like this one to figure out the different lengths/angles before buying a stem: http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

I do have an 80mm +/- 6 I could put on.. have to steal it from my MTB, but that's ok.. I don't ride it near as much as I should..

[sheepdog84]

Originally Posted by robt57

I think this is an incorrect assumption. SL4 was before the gizmo, only having the slightly less gizmo-ish zertzy thing-a-ma-bobs...

ah understood - my bad, I'm not as familiar with the older Specialized line up

[Peter P.]

Long ago I read an article that said we typically spend 70% of our time riding on the hoods.

To me, that means the drops aren't as accessible as they should be.

I mean; what would happen if bikes were set up with the drops at the presumably more comfortable and more often used location of the hoods? How would that affect performance? Or in the opposite direction; what if the hoods split the difference between their current position and the drops. Now the drops are even lower and perhaps less useful.

I'd say your current setup is fine.

[callmeishmael]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Long ago I read an article that said we typically spend 70% of our time riding on the hoods.

To me, that means the drops aren't as accessible as they should be.

I mean; what would happen if bikes were set up with the drops at the presumably more comfortable and more often used location of the hoods? How would that affect performance? Or in the opposite direction; what if the hoods split the difference between their current position and the drops. Now the drops are even lower and perhaps less useful.

I'd say your current setup is fine.

I seem to recall reading something vaguely similar, namely that modern geometry has got appreciably lower on almost all road bikes, but most riders aren’t any more flexible. As a result, now most people default to hoods for almost everything but prolonged steeper climbs (tops), technical descents or sprints (drops). Iirc, said article suggested a much more modest saddle to bar drop (2-4cm for most people) would make more sense, and allow the drops to become the default ‘fast cruising’ position (as they were 40-50 years ago).

I won’t derail the thread OT any further but I’d rather have a position which encouraged me to spend more time in the drops than one where they felt difficult to access.

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by callmeishmael

I seem to recall reading something vaguely similar, namely that modern geometry has got appreciably lower on almost all road bikes, but most riders aren’t any more flexible. As a result, now most people default to hoods for almost everything but prolonged steeper climbs (tops), technical descents or sprints (drops). Iirc, said article suggested a much more modest saddle to bar drop (2-4cm for most people) would make more sense, and allow the drops to become the default ‘fast cruising’ position (as they were 40-50 years ago).

I won’t derail the thread OT any further but I’d rather have a position which encouraged me to spend more time in the drops than one where they felt difficult to access.

Hmm, maybe I'm retro by accident! I'll take it!