 Topic Name: Bike Fit
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on: July 19, 2012, 07:24:54 AM
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wisaunders
Posts: 78
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« on: July 19, 2012, 07:24:54 AM » |
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I'm 6'1". I recently got a 19" Specialized Carve. Not the best choice for bikepacking but it looked like my best option as specialized and my LBS came together to get me a great price as my old Rockhopper had a crack in the frame. I rode a 21" but felt like I was having to reach too far to the handlebars. The guys at my LBS swear the 19" is the right size for me but I feel like my legs should be extended more at the bottom of each rotation. Honestly I feel like riding this bike compared to my road bike is like crab walking compared to just walking. I ride a road bike 15 miles each way to work everyday. Is this just how a mountain bike should fit? Maybe I just need to get used to it? How much should my legs bend at the bottom of a pedal rotation?
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« Last Edit: July 19, 2012, 07:44:52 AM by wisaunders »
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #1 on: July 19, 2012, 11:12:48 AM
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Bill in Houston
Posts: 71
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« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2012, 11:12:48 AM » |
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lots of people say that your mtb saddle should be just as high as your road bike. i feel like it should be a little lower so that i don't get bucked off as easily on bumps. if you feel like the mtb seat should be higher, then it probably should. are you at max extension on the seat tube?
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #2 on: July 19, 2012, 09:01:37 PM
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verslowrdr
Posts: 8
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« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2012, 09:01:37 PM » |
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I set my post where my leg is just short of fully extended with my foot flat at the bottom of the stroke. Anything much less than that for an extended period of time will cause knee problems for me.
Having said that... I've also found it absolutely critical to get the seat far enough back that my knee isn't overly compressed at the top of the stroke. I'm told this isn't uncommon in taller folks with a long femur (I'm 5'8" with a ~33" inseam). That means all my seats are clamped as far forward on the rails as I dare.
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #3 on: July 20, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
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wisaunders
Posts: 78
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« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2012, 06:57:28 AM » |
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Thanks for the replies. The seat post is not fully extended. Problem is that when the seat is higher I feel like the handlebars are too close. I'm starting to think the Carve was just a bad choice, maybe I'll put in on CL and start looking for something else.
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #4 on: July 20, 2012, 07:52:23 AM
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Bill in Houston
Posts: 71
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« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2012, 07:52:23 AM » |
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maybe try a longer stem? or a couple more spacers underneath?
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #5 on: July 20, 2012, 02:56:26 PM
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Foster
Location: Fort Campbell, KY
Posts: 296
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« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2012, 02:56:26 PM » |
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Hey man, I have the same issue with my frame. It is a bit too small. So what I did is I got a 26 degree 140 mm stem to extend and lift things up. That solves most of my issues, except for having to run lots of post. Make sure you get enough extension in the legs, if you don't you can get some really bad tendonitis on the longer rides.
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Go big or stay home
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #6 on: July 20, 2012, 03:12:39 PM
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wisaunders
Posts: 78
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« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2012, 03:12:39 PM » |
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Ordered a new 120 mm stem to try today. It currently has a 90mm stem, so we'll see how the extra 3 cm works. Thanks for the advice
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #7 on: July 23, 2012, 11:49:46 AM
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adelorenzo
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Posts: 70
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2012, 11:49:46 AM » |
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Your saddle needs to be adjusted relative to the cranks, not the bars. Get your saddle height and fore-aft position dialed and then figure out where you need to be with the bars.
A couple of guidelines for your bars... Keep in mind that these get you in the ballpark and you have to figure it out from there.
One is if you are riding normally and look down and the handlebar blocks out the front hub.
The other is that, when your arms are at a 90-degree angle from your body, the angle of your hips should be 45-degrees.
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #8 on: July 24, 2012, 11:44:43 AM
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Slim
Location: Duluth MN, North Central USA
Posts: 240
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« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2012, 11:44:43 AM » |
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To repeat what was said before:
-first set saddle height for proper leg extension
-then set fore aft position for proper knee-over-pedal
-then readjust height
-then set handlebar position for comfortable upper body, ie proper height and reach
Get a real bike fit. That's what bikefitters are for.
The Camber could be a great bikepacking bike. It even has rack mounts doesn't it?
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #9 on: July 24, 2012, 11:48:50 AM
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Slim
Location: Duluth MN, North Central USA
Posts: 240
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« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2012, 11:48:50 AM » |
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To answer your original question:
Your knees should be bent 30 degrees at full extension.
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #10 on: August 14, 2012, 03:46:45 PM
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wisaunders
Posts: 78
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« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2012, 03:46:45 PM » |
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Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I ended up replacing the original 90mm stem with a 120mm stem. Went for a 40+ mile ride this weekend and it was much much better!
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #11 on: November 21, 2012, 07:56:45 PM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2012, 07:56:45 PM » |
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wisaunders,
It's been a few months have you made any additional adjustments since you replaced your stem?
Anyway, hope you see this old thread I'd like to know how your fitting is going.
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« Last Edit: November 22, 2012, 09:13:10 AM by Colorado Cool Breeze »
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Topic Name: Bike Fit
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Reply #12 on: November 21, 2012, 08:03:13 PM
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wisaunders
Posts: 78
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« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2012, 08:03:13 PM » |
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The only problem I had was that I felt confined, like I always wanted to push my handlebar our further. Put a longer stem on and it felt great! Still loving the bike, perfect for long rides.
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« Last Edit: November 21, 2012, 08:23:46 PM by wisaunders »
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