Help with a fitting around Arlington?

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  • June 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm #915431
    ls1dreams
    Participant

    Hi all,

    I recently purchased a hybrid bike (Fuji Absolute 1.4) from a small bike shop, but unfortunately after having some trouble with the feel of my bike he admitted to not knowing a lot about fitting.

    The main problem: While riding, I feel like I’m putting too much weight on my wrists. (I’ve tried loosening my grip and wrist angles). We tried sliding the seat back by about 0.5″ to stretch me out more which helped a little bit, but I’m still having problems.

    What’s next? Spacers/adjustable stem? I don’t believe the frame size itself is incorrect (I’m 5’9/30″ inseam and riding on a 19″ frame), since the standover seems OK and my knee is generally in line with the ball of my foot with the pedals horizontal.

    Would any knowledgable person be willing to take a look with me? I don’t trust the people I bought my bike from to make any kind of competent fit at this point.

    I’m near courthouse/rosslyn but would be willing to come to you.

    Thanks!

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  • June 4, 2014 at 4:38 pm #1003307
    hozn
    Participant

    So there are other folks on here that have hybrids that will be more helpful. A few general comments.

    If you have a picture of your bike as currently setup that would provide useful context for suggestions such as “try flipping your stem” or “try a shorter stem”, etc. Bonus points for details such as the dimensions of your stem, seatpost (how many mm setback), etc. Bonus bonus points for photo of you on said bike.

    In general, if you feel you are leaning too heavily on your hands, I would *think* increasing the effective reach (as in moving your seat back) would be the opposite of what you’d want, but there are likely some nuances here. Personally, I would get your saddle set so that the tip is X cm behind your BB such that your knee is right over the spindle. Don’t deviate from that fore/aft position to adjust for reach issues.

    I would think that raising your bars and/or bringing them in closer to you is likely going to shift your center of gravity back to predominantly your saddle.

    Finally, I know very little about how hybrid sizing is supposed to work (despite owning one as my first adult bike many years go), but if you told me you were 5’9″ and had a 19″ mountain bike, I would say that sounds like it could be too large. (I would expect someone 5’9″ to fall into the “medium” size — though that is obviously a very rough estimation as what really matters are things like torso length.) I suspect, though, that folks tend to ride larger hybrids than mountain bikes.

    June 4, 2014 at 5:17 pm #1003317
    Emm
    Participant

    Try Velocity bikes in Del Ray Alexandria if you want some advice–it’s likely free or just a $10 donation. If you don’t want to bike the whole way there on the Mount Vernon Trail, metro with your bike to Braddock and bike from there. Or if you need help, I am probably biking right by there from Rosslyn on Saturday morning (leaving at 9 or 10 am) so would happily go with you and show you the way–it’s only ~8 miles from Rosslyn.

    You might just want to call ahead of time and see if the person working there would be able to help. Usually they can, but I’ve dealt with a few people there who couldn’t answer my questions.

    Otherwise, my hybrid was sized at Revolution Cycles in Clarendon, and it fits me. They might charge you and sometimes give attitude, but my bike is sized correct at least ;)

    June 4, 2014 at 6:05 pm #1003322
    ls1dreams
    Participant

    @hozn 87507 wrote:

    So there are other folks on here that have hybrids that will be more helpful. A few general comments.

    If you have a picture of your bike as currently setup that would provide useful context for suggestions such as “try flipping your stem” or “try a shorter stem”, etc. Bonus points for details such as the dimensions of your stem, seatpost (how many mm setback), etc. Bonus bonus points for photo of you on said bike.

    In general, if you feel you are leaning too heavily on your hands, I would *think* increasing the effective reach (as in moving your seat back) would be the opposite of what you’d want, but there are likely some nuances here. Personally, I would get your saddle set so that the tip is X cm behind your BB such that your knee is right over the spindle. Don’t deviate from that fore/aft position to adjust for reach issues.

    I would think that raising your bars and/or bringing them in closer to you is likely going to shift your center of gravity back to predominantly your saddle.

    Finally, I know very little about how hybrid sizing is supposed to work (despite owning one as my first adult bike many years go), but if you told me you were 5’9″ and had a 19″ mountain bike, I would say that sounds like it could be too large. (I would expect someone 5’9″ to fall into the “medium” size — though that is obviously a very rough estimation as what really matters are things like torso length.) I suspect, though, that folks tend to ride larger hybrids than mountain bikes.

    Here’s the bike:

    http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1126677_-1_400316__400316

    My other option was a 17″, which felt kind of small on me. I was really torn on which size I should go with, but most people ended up telling me to stick with the bigger of the 2 bikes.

    My gut feel is that the reach is just on the aggressive side, so if I want to be more upright I need a taller/shorter stem, but this is my first nice bike so I’m not sure.

    June 4, 2014 at 6:12 pm #1003324
    hozn
    Participant

    Nice bike. Your instinct about shorter/taller makes sense to me. (Bear in mind that as you shorten the stem it will also be lowering it; you may need a more aggressive angle than the standard 6-8degree if that becomes an issue).

    So, I’m assuming that is exactly how you have it setup — i.e. no spacers above stem, stem is already “flipped up”, etc. Yeah, maybe try a 90mm stem (or 100mm, assuming that is a 110mm on there now). You could ride over to one of the Friday coffee clubs and I’m sure folks could help give you ideas. I have 90mm and 100mm stems (+/- 6degrees) I’m happy to loan for fitting.

    June 4, 2014 at 7:39 pm #1003333
    DismalScientist
    Participant

    I’ve got an adjustable stem if you want it. (I replaced it since I thought the adjustability gave it too much play.)

    Probably this one: http://www.amazon.com/Kalloy-Adjustable-Threadless-Stem-60-120degree/dp/B001F2USXQ

    June 4, 2014 at 7:57 pm #1003336
    Dickie
    Participant

    I nearly said “buy some brown flip flops and head to Starbucks”… then re-read your post and realized you didn’t say fitting IN Arlington :-). I’ll be at the Courthouse Coffee Club this Friday (@javashack, 7:30 – 8:30 am). If you can make it, drop by. I have a spare stem that is shorter with a 17º raise you are welcome to try. BTW, welcome to the forum.

    June 6, 2014 at 12:32 pm #1003496
    ls1dreams
    Participant

    @Dickie 87537 wrote:

    I nearly said “buy some brown flip flops and head to Starbucks”… then re-read your post and realized you didn’t say fitting IN Arlington :-). I’ll be at the Courthouse Coffee Club this Friday (@javashack, 7:30 – 8:30 am). If you can make it, drop by. I have a spare stem that is shorter with a 17º raise you are welcome to try. BTW, welcome to the forum.

    Thanks – too late this week but maybe we could catch up another time. Are there regular arlington meetups outside of early friday mornings? (might be a bit tough due to work schedule)

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