5

A few weeks ago I got a used road bike, my first bike to have proper drops. I don't have previous experience with riding in the drops. I enjoy it a lot so far.

One thing I did however notice was that when I do, my quads and knees seem to touch my rib cage. Is this a problem / is there a way to tweak things so this does not happen? Or is it normal and/or fine as long as it doesn't cause problems? I guess it means I can't easily get more aero however for more of a hobby rider like me that is not that much of a concern.

Improve this question
11
  • 5
    You must be fairly young with some good flexibility - I find my thighs hit my belly long before anything else comes close !
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 1:08
  • 3
    Raise the seat.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 1:26
  • 3
    Are you quite tall, with long legs and long cranks? I am and with the seat at the right height I can get low enough for my lowest ribs to meet my thighs. I've set the bars a little higher than I otherwise would for that reason, so tucking that low doesn't come naturally
    – Chris H
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 7:21
  • 1
    another alternative might be shorter cranks so that your legs don't come up as high
    – GageMartin
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 16:50
  • 1
    @GageMartin For an experienced cyclist, I'd agree that this can be an option if their position is otherwise sound but their thighs are hitting their chest or stomach in a low position. However, new cranks are expensive, and the OP is new to the bike and to cycling. Chances are good that their position needs adjustment first.
    – Weiwen Ng
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 21:34

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
11

In an aggressively aero position, it's not uncommon for your knees to be very close to your rib cage. For example, here is the first image I found on the web of a bunch of pros in the drops. Notice the first rider in particular is just about at the top of his pedal stroke and his knee is quite close to his chest. As long as your pedal stroke is not impeded, there's no problem, although many people find it uncomfortable to ride in such a position for a long time. If your back is not as flat as his, it is possible that your bike is not long enough, which can be remedied with a longer stem.

If you do find it uncomfortable, raising the stem slightly is an easy solution. If you want to keep the aero position, but need more room to have a proper pedal stroke, shorter cranks will reduce the height of your knee. You may also want to experiment with moving your saddle forward (and probably up at the same time to compensate) so that your hip does not have to compress as far at the top of the pedal stroke.

pro cyclists

Improve this answer
3
  • Also, if the rider's fit is otherwise good, then shorter cranks might be warranted in this situation. However, chances are good that the OP isn't there yet; they are new to the bike and to cycling in general.
    – Weiwen Ng
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 21:36
  • @WeiwenNg - I noted that in the second paragraph
    – Andrew
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 21:49
  • @AsgerF its a good idea, but not sure adding whole new suggestions into an answer is a good way to present that. Perhaps post it here as a comment under the answer, and let Andrew add it if he sees fit. Or you could make that a complete standalone answer on its own, with some additional info/support.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Dec 16, 2020 at 11:13
9

Sounds like your seat is way too low. Possibly the bike is too small for you.

Check seat height is in the ball park of proper height: knee should be slightly bent at bottom of pedal stroke.

Possibly the previous owner put the stem on the lowest position on the steerer tube. If this is so and the steerer isn’t cut you can raised the bars.

Improve this answer
3
  • To have it properly done you may see a bike-fitter.
    – Carel
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 8:44
  • The seat seemed fine to me, maybe slightly too low but definitely not much too low. I think the stem is in the lowest position (maybe 10 cm below the saddle, which puts the drops maybe 20 cm below the saddle). So I could definitely raise that by a bit. Is it necessary though?
    – koedem
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 12:19
  • 1
    @Carel I was looking to possibly get a bike fit anyway, so now I will I suppose.
    – koedem
    Commented Dec 11, 2020 at 12:23
4

Bike fit can be complicated. It needs to take into account the kind of rider you are, your flexibility, and your body dimensions. To determine your proper handlebar height, first you need to determine the correct saddle height, saddle fore/aft adjustment, and stem length. You can spend money on a professional bike fit, but there are some rules of thumb that can get you started.

I am kind of old school, but I think the following heuristics are useful.

Saddle height:

When you sit on the saddle, is your leg fully extended at the bottom of the stroke if your heel is on the pedal.

Seat fore/aft adjustment:

Is your saddle positioned such that a plumb-line dropped from your knee (actually, the notch right behind your patella) would be in line with the pedal spindle when the cranks are at the 3/9 o'clock position? Adjust this by sliding the saddle forward/aft on the seat-post.

If you are a power rider it is OK to be a little behind the spindle, if you are a spinner, you can be a little in front. (NOTE: You can adjust this situationally during a ride by sliding forward/aft on the seat. For example: Slogging up a long climb? Shift back in your seat and get more power. Spun out on a descent? Shift forward and get your spin on.)

Stem length:

When you are in the drops does the handlebar obscure the front hub? If you can see the hub, in front of the bars, your stem is probably short. If you see the hub behind the bars, it is too long.

Handlebar height:

I am going to make an assumption that you are not a racer, at least a road racer, since you just picked up your first used road bike with proper dropped bars. There is some degree of personal preference here, but for starters, I would suggest setting them at the same height as the seat. You can go up or down from there based on your comfort level and time in the saddle.

Keep in mind, that as you make some adjustments, the others may fall out of spec and you will have to go back and recalibrate. For example, if your saddle height is spot on according to the heel method, but you discover that your saddle is too far forward, when you adjust the saddle fore/aft, you might need to go back and look at saddle height again and if the bars still obscure the front hub from the drops. Same thing with stem length and height, but in my experience, less so.

Limitations based on frame/fork: There are some relatively inexpensive work arounds if your bike is too small or your steerer tube on your fork has been cut below where it will provide a good fit. Many of these look kind of dorky, but we are looking for functionality, not trying to win any cycling fashion prizes.

Stems can be purchased with angles up to 45deg and lengths up to 120 mm. Long seat-posts can be purchased (I think I have seen some 450 mm seat posts). Curved seat-posts can also be purchased to help you get the best fore/aft position. Triathlon seat-posts can be purchased that curve forward to get you over the pedals more. Mountain bike seat posts, particularly one made by Thompson can be used to get your seat further back.

Some other notes: You will have more power/endurance/speed if you use diaphragmatic breathing while riding. This means that your positions, particularly on the tops or the hoods needs to allow you to let your belly sag down for those deep breaths. When you are in the drops, you are trying to avoid fluid drag and some breathing restriction is acceptable.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.