This is probably the most informative video I have found so far on RUclips. I just recently purchased a bike with a drop bar, coming from a hybrid bike. I am experiencing some pretty significant neck/shoulder and lower back pain. I'm probably going to get a professional bike fit done, but everything you explained makes complete sense as to why I'm experiencing the pain and discomfort that I am. Thank you so much for this video!
Awesome guide, the examples you showed from each configuration, really helped a lot in understanding the adjustment of the stem length. Please keep up the good work!
13 yrs of cycling, road, gravel, mountain/trail. Your posture changes especially if you seriously get into it on a competitive side. My position has changed drastically! The best feeling is when your riding that you don’t feel the bike under you but the bike is part of you if that makes any sense. Every thing he’s saying is on point but it does not happen overnight
totally agree - this is something that many riders ignore / don't want to accept - getting the right position takes time - the body does not adapt overnight. this is also why bike fit is not a 'one and done' scenario, it must change with the rider and their goals / needs over time
Very good info. Thanks for the video. I've been playing around with fit and reach, up and down, longer, shorter, and it really is a rabbit hole in which you can quickly become lost. What feels good one day can feel off the next.
this is true and how many can get a bit lost without some guidance from a fitter to help the rider understand what they are looking for and why. but you're absolutely right, things can feel different from one day to the nex as our bodies are living dynamic organisms, constantly changing, next to our innanimate / unchanging bikes. the key is to have a set up that balances you somewhere between those extremes of your body's daily changes
My bike fitted great but I moved the seat a bit back because I had a bit of a knee pain. Knee pain gone but now I feel my position is too low and I have a neck pain which I didn't have before :( I'm hoping that flipping the stem will help but I'm quite disappointed. Thanks for the guidance. Update: The issue was that my seat was too high. Returned my setback to center and reduced seat height by 30mm and it all got fixed.
Hi, well you beat me to it but glad you got it sorted out. It's always quite a challenge moving parts around as one movement can affect a lot of other things as you have experienced. Hope you found the videos helpful
Lemond had a quick way of checking stem length ... forearm parallel with the top tube, elbow against the nose the saddle and fingers stretched out flat. They should brush around halfway up the length of the stem. Cheap n nasty but for me, fairly accurate. Saddle stem height difference, start at 8-10 cm, adequate for most riders unless you have exceptional core strength and flexibility
yeh i've got nothing against some of these old 'rules of thumb' they can work quite well for many to get into a useful position. having said that, if we use only anthropometic measurements (i.e the length of your hand or forearm) it ignores any consideration for the riders strength, flexibility, injuries, riding needs (e.g race performance vs casual club riding or commuting)
@@thebikethebody Couldn't agree more, mate.... cycle fits didn't become scientific really until Hinault and Genzling really started taking morphology and ergonomics into account, taking it to the science it is now. Ironic that on my FB page there is a story on Sean Kelly, who always rode a bike far too small for him, but "just got used to it" his words...
@@stevestewart-sturges2159 yep, as a true 'hard man' he'd have probably got used to a nail for a saddle!! what a legend, being Irish I am of course somewhat biased!! in terms of the tech in some areas we've almost gone too far the other way where many focus so much on the tech and data they have that they forget about the most complex and sensitive tool in the process - the rider! i believe it was Einstein (but I could be way off and happy to stand corrected) said that not everything that can be measured is important and not everything that is important can be measured. it's something I always reflect on when discussing bike fit
@@dreyn7780 i don't think I ever said they didn't relate to steering aggressiveness or that they did 'refer' to muscle tiredness - this video really just a way to help get a better understanding of how stem length and angle (among many other variables) can affect handling, comfort and balance on the bike.
I have a 100mm 7° stem pointing upward and I feel like i'm putting a lot of weight over my handlebars, generating neck and shoulder pain. I don't know if I have to put a shorter stem like 70mm or 80mm or just change it for a bigger angle, like 15° or 17°. What do you think? ( I'm already a the top of my head tube, with 40mm spacers.) Thanks!
Hi, it’s really important to remember that the length of your stem and it’s height / angle only make up a part of how your weight is managed across the bike. saddle set back and angle are important aspect to consider - a downward angled saddle and forward position (common problem in people trying to reduce reach) can massively increase the weight and pressure on your hands - hope that helps
@@thebikethebody Thank you for the video! IMO, it also matter of your riding speed(Or power) as well. If I ride around speed of 15mph my setup feels aggressive (I'm 6'1, 56cm frame, 120mm stem) but it feels very comfortable when I ride above 20mph -25mph, which is my average speed. Any thoughts?
@@joshyang59 hi Josh, this is a great point and you’re absolutely right. as we produce more power, we are thereby put more of our weight through the pedals which increases postural stabilisation which in turn reduces the load / weight going through the front end thus making it easier to hold a relatively more aggressive position
I presume you’re referring to how much seat post there is exposed from the frame as your estimate that the seat height is low. firstly, the older supersix always looks like this to an extent due to the horizontal top tube. secondly the frame is a 58 where I would preferentially ride a 56. The seat height seen here is 800mm, and yields a knee angle (if you consider that to be of important as an isolated measure) of approx 145
@@DevelopingNL very much depends on the individual - using normative numbers to inform fitting for saddle height is rarely the best approach to find the best seat height for any one person - there are many other elements to consider, so, 25 might be fine for one person but not work very well for another
My height is 5'8 and I have size 48 road bike frame. I have standard stock stem. My shoulders and wrist are sore when riding my bike. Which length of and height of the stem should I get?
impossible to be able to sugges just based on this information, more likely to be other more important factors such as overall balance and position on theb bike, I explain this in some of my other videos
Hi. I’m 6’6” tall. I have an old 12 speed road bike that I’ve gotten a special seat that moves back and up enough to give me more space in that my knees bend properly while riding, so my thighs apply pressure most efficiently. The problem is my will stem is too low so uncomfortable to ride the bike. I’m trying to find out what length, etc I would need for a replacement quill stem. Is there a system where I can put in my body measurements to determine what size quill stem I need? I think my bike has a 27” frame.
Hi, I would suggest you might be better off trying a quill stem adapter so that you can fit on a regular modern stem which will allow much greater adjustment capacity on length and height. They're also fairly inexpensive. Hope that helps
Interesting…I had a bike fit last year and my stem was changed from a 100mm to a 130mm and i now have pain in my shoulders and especially neck area..unfortunately my bike fitter is no longer trading…should I change my stem to a 110mm?…would appreciate any suggestions 🙏🏻
it can be difficult to answer this as it is likely that the stem was not the only change during the fit. so there could be a multitude of factors contributing to these changes and issues you desribe. However, given how easy / cheap it is to swap a stem over to test (if it is a more traditional set up of bar/stem and not all carbon one piece) then it's definitely worth trying this. the best option would be to find your best local or nearish bike fitter to help out - check out the IBFI fitter locator page for suggestions good luck
Hi Aaron, absolutely, that is why most bike fitters will try to encourage cyclists that a bike fit is / should not be seen or considered to be a 'one-off event'. There is currently no way to test what any part of a set-up will be like out on the road with climbs, descents, rapid cornering, different surfaces, 4+ hr rides etc - as such we use knowledge gathered over years alongside research into the area of bike fitting, cyling injuries and of course the most important tool (in my opinion) rider feedback to guide us towards the best outcome. Hope that answers your question. Bryan
Please RECHECK your definition of REACH. I believe it’s incorrect!! Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of BOTTOM-BRACKET to top of the HEADTUBE.
Cheers for the comment, yes you’re right when referring to frame geometry that is what it refers to but in a more functional sense in bike fitting the same term is also used merely to describe the distance the rider needs to cover between seat and bars - appreciate the confusion though 👍
most likely your weight / balance is not well distributed across the bike, or you have too much drop tio mange your position - get a bike fit you possibly can - check out one of my other videos and see if you can do the 'balance test' this will give you some idea
This is probably the most informative video I have found so far on RUclips. I just recently purchased a bike with a drop bar, coming from a hybrid bike. I am experiencing some pretty significant neck/shoulder and lower back pain. I'm probably going to get a professional bike fit done, but everything you explained makes complete sense as to why I'm experiencing the pain and discomfort that I am. Thank you so much for this video!
so glad you found it helpful - definitely get a fit as will help to address these issues specifically for you
Awesome guide, the examples you showed from each configuration, really helped a lot in understanding the adjustment of the stem length. Please keep up the good work!
Glad you found it helpful! Been busy setting up a new clinic but will have more content soon
13 yrs of cycling, road, gravel, mountain/trail. Your posture changes especially if you seriously get into it on a competitive side. My position has changed drastically! The best feeling is when your riding that you don’t feel the bike under you but the bike is part of you if that makes any sense. Every thing he’s saying is on point but it does not happen overnight
totally agree - this is something that many riders ignore / don't want to accept - getting the right position takes time - the body does not adapt overnight. this is also why bike fit is not a 'one and done' scenario, it must change with the rider and their goals / needs over time
Very good info. Thanks for the video. I've been playing around with fit and reach, up and down, longer, shorter, and it really is a rabbit hole in which you can quickly become lost. What feels good one day can feel off the next.
this is true and how many can get a bit lost without some guidance from a fitter to help the rider understand what they are looking for and why. but you're absolutely right, things can feel different from one day to the nex as our bodies are living dynamic organisms, constantly changing, next to our innanimate / unchanging bikes. the key is to have a set up that balances you somewhere between those extremes of your body's daily changes
Great advice and helped me understand the effects of change. Only gripe is filming in portrait lol 😜
thanks, yeh I’m definitely a physio not a cinematographer 😂😂. something to work on for future vids
Vertical Video Syndrome...
@@dreyn7780 sure you can if you want, its a free world, just might be fun handling and a lot of knee whacking ;)
Great Visual demos.
My bike fitted great but I moved the seat a bit back because I had a bit of a knee pain. Knee pain gone but now I feel my position is too low and I have a neck pain which I didn't have before :( I'm hoping that flipping the stem will help but I'm quite disappointed. Thanks for the guidance.
Update: The issue was that my seat was too high. Returned my setback to center and reduced seat height by 30mm and it all got fixed.
Hi, well you beat me to it but glad you got it sorted out. It's always quite a challenge moving parts around as one movement can affect a lot of other things as you have experienced. Hope you found the videos helpful
Lemond had a quick way of checking stem length ... forearm parallel with the top tube, elbow against the nose the saddle and fingers stretched out flat. They should brush around halfway up the length of the stem. Cheap n nasty but for me, fairly accurate. Saddle stem height difference, start at 8-10 cm, adequate for most riders unless you have exceptional core strength and flexibility
yeh i've got nothing against some of these old 'rules of thumb' they can work quite well for many to get into a useful position. having said that, if we use only anthropometic measurements (i.e the length of your hand or forearm) it ignores any consideration for the riders strength, flexibility, injuries, riding needs (e.g race performance vs casual club riding or commuting)
@@thebikethebody Couldn't agree more, mate.... cycle fits didn't become scientific really until Hinault and Genzling really started taking morphology and ergonomics into account, taking it to the science it is now. Ironic that on my FB page there is a story on Sean Kelly, who always rode a bike far too small for him, but "just got used to it" his words...
@@stevestewart-sturges2159 yep, as a true 'hard man' he'd have probably got used to a nail for a saddle!! what a legend, being Irish I am of course somewhat biased!!
in terms of the tech in some areas we've almost gone too far the other way where many focus so much on the tech and data they have that they forget about the most complex and sensitive tool in the process - the rider!
i believe it was Einstein (but I could be way off and happy to stand corrected) said that not everything that can be measured is important and not everything that is important can be measured. it's something I always reflect on when discussing bike fit
@@thebikethebody Thank you! What a thoughtful reply, and a lovely quote... All the best for 2021!
Great info! Thank you!
Very helpful how you demonstrated the differences, thank you.
@@dreyn7780 i don't think I ever said they didn't relate to steering aggressiveness or that they did 'refer' to muscle tiredness - this video really just a way to help get a better understanding of how stem length and angle (among many other variables) can affect handling, comfort and balance on the bike.
I have a 100mm 7° stem pointing upward and I feel like i'm putting a lot of weight over my handlebars, generating neck and shoulder pain. I don't know if I have to put a shorter stem like 70mm or 80mm or just change it for a bigger angle, like 15° or 17°. What do you think?
( I'm already a the top of my head tube, with 40mm spacers.)
Thanks!
Hi, it’s really important to remember that the length of your stem and it’s height / angle only make up a part of how your weight is managed across the bike. saddle set back and angle are important aspect to consider - a downward angled saddle and forward position (common problem in people trying to reduce reach) can massively increase the weight and pressure on your hands - hope that helps
@@thebikethebody Thank you for the video! IMO, it also matter of your riding speed(Or power) as well. If I ride around speed of 15mph my setup feels aggressive (I'm 6'1, 56cm frame, 120mm stem) but it feels very comfortable when I ride above 20mph -25mph, which is my average speed. Any thoughts?
@@joshyang59 hi Josh, this is a great point and you’re absolutely right. as we produce more power, we are thereby put more of our weight through the pedals which increases postural stabilisation which in turn reduces the load / weight going through the front end thus making it easier to hold a relatively more aggressive position
Your saddle is quite low. What is the knee angle at the bottom of the stroke and why is it that angle?
I presume you’re referring to how much seat post there is exposed from the frame as your estimate that the seat height is low.
firstly, the older supersix always looks like this to an extent due to the horizontal top tube. secondly the frame is a 58 where I would preferentially ride a 56.
The seat height seen here is 800mm, and yields a knee angle (if you consider that to be of important as an isolated measure) of approx 145
@@thebikethebody Thats a 35 degree angle. Isnt 25-30 a better range? Or was it in the old days?
@@DevelopingNL very much depends on the individual - using normative numbers to inform fitting for saddle height is rarely the best approach to find the best seat height for any one person - there are many other elements to consider, so, 25 might be fine for one person but not work very well for another
My height is 5'8 and I have size 48 road bike frame. I have standard stock stem. My shoulders and wrist are sore when riding my bike. Which length of and height of the stem should I get?
impossible to be able to sugges just based on this information, more likely to be other more important factors such as overall balance and position on theb bike, I explain this in some of my other videos
Bike is probably too small for you.
Hi. I’m 6’6” tall. I have an old 12 speed road bike that I’ve gotten a special seat that moves back and up enough to give me more space in that my knees bend properly while riding, so my thighs apply pressure most efficiently. The problem is my will stem is too low so uncomfortable to ride the bike. I’m trying to find out what length, etc I would need for a replacement quill stem. Is there a system where I can put in my body measurements to determine what size quill stem I need? I think my bike has a 27” frame.
Hi, I would suggest you might be better off trying a quill stem adapter so that you can fit on a regular modern stem which will allow much greater adjustment capacity on length and height. They're also fairly inexpensive. Hope that helps
BRAVO!
Interesting…I had a bike fit last year and my stem was changed from a 100mm to a 130mm and i now have pain in my shoulders and especially neck area..unfortunately my bike fitter is no longer trading…should I change my stem to a 110mm?…would appreciate any suggestions 🙏🏻
it can be difficult to answer this as it is likely that the stem was not the only change during the fit. so there could be a multitude of factors contributing to these changes and issues you desribe.
However, given how easy / cheap it is to swap a stem over to test (if it is a more traditional set up of bar/stem and not all carbon one piece) then it's definitely worth trying this.
the best option would be to find your best local or nearish bike fitter to help out - check out the IBFI fitter locator page for suggestions
good luck
Seems like trial and error still. Couldn't it feel fine in the studio with the fitter, but after a couple days on the road still not work?
Hi Aaron, absolutely, that is why most bike fitters will try to encourage cyclists that a bike fit is / should not be seen or considered to be a 'one-off event'. There is currently no way to test what any part of a set-up will be like out on the road with climbs, descents, rapid cornering, different surfaces, 4+ hr rides etc - as such we use knowledge gathered over years alongside research into the area of bike fitting, cyling injuries and of course the most important tool (in my opinion) rider feedback to guide us towards the best outcome.
Hope that answers your question.
Bryan
Very good. Thanks
why i just found this channel now
Please RECHECK your definition of REACH.
I believe it’s incorrect!!
Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of BOTTOM-BRACKET to top of the HEADTUBE.
Cheers for the comment, yes you’re right when referring to frame geometry that is what it refers to but in a more functional sense in bike fitting the same term is also used merely to describe the distance the rider needs to cover between seat and bars - appreciate the confusion though 👍
@@thebikethebody agree. You means reach in general term. Not in geometry term 👍👍👍👍
Im from philippines, only 5'2" 130lbs my bike size xxs47 with short stem
I have sore in my neck n numbness in my hands, what should i do??
most likely your weight / balance is not well distributed across the bike, or you have too much drop tio mange your position - get a bike fit you possibly can - check out one of my other videos and see if you can do the 'balance test' this will give you some idea
2:49 "i can sit upright" 😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤔🤔🤔😂😂😂😂🤣🤣
Your seat is to low...
But it really isn't.