brucem76 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Have you done a proper bike fit/Ergo fit? Nope - only one I've found so far is really expensive, and takes 3 hours - isn't there anything a little more "entry level" for a weekend warrior like me?
brucem76 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Cut back on stem before bars, mate. You're a big boy - you need wide bars. But first - get the bars, and test. If still wacky, then get a 70 / 80mm stem and try from there. Should work out nicely, and then you're almost in the sweet spot ito bar / stem combo Bars ordered - thanks - those are CRAZY cheap, and great reviews! Such a refreshing change, something coming in way cheaper than anticipated. I'll shove the new bars on when I get them, and report back on my progress here. Just so I understand, if my stem is too long then, what will I feel? My guess is that the steering will feel too "wild" - or will I feel like my weight is too far forward too? Another Q (never changed bars) - when I move my hydraulic brakes across, will I need to bleed them, or be careful of specific mistakes? And do the bars have alignment marks, or will I need to align according to preference?
brucem76 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 I am 192cm I ride an XL with 800mm bars ( spank 777 ), 70mm stem and Reverb dropper. I am busy experimenting with a bit shorter bars and I am finding the 20mm shorter is a slight amount more comfortable But ill see where I end before cutting. I hated the longer stem on my bike(120) and went down to a 90mm. I feel a lot more comfortable with the 70 however. Aren't they called Spank 777 because they're 777mm wide?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Bars ordered - thanks - those are CRAZY cheap, and great reviews! Such a refreshing change, something coming in way cheaper than anticipated. I'll shove the new bars on when I get them, and report back on my progress here. Just so I understand, if my stem is too long then, what will I feel? My guess is that the steering will feel too "wild" - or will I feel like my weight is too far forward too? Another Q (never changed bars) - when I move my hydraulic brakes across, will I need to bleed them, or be careful of specific mistakes? And do the bars have alignment marks, or will I need to align according to preference?Yeah, that first review is mine (Myles) - I'm 105kg and they're holding up beautifully. Another mate of mine reckons they're the strongest bars he's owned, and he rides HARD. He's even bent a stem whilst cornering... So ja. You'll feel a bit stretched out and too far forward. As if you're going to go over the bars. Sorta. The wideness will help alleviate that feeling, but it'll still pull you forwards and may make you feel uncomfortable in the technical stuff. Exactly like a longer stem will feel. As for brakes - no need to bleed. Just take off and put back on BEFORE the grips! No alignment marks for the brakes, but there are alignment marks for the stem. Brake setup should be done in your most natural position (in or out of the saddle, whichever you're more often in) and so that your wrists and hands remain flat - not bent at a ridiculous angle. If the stem is too long after the new bars are on, go to your LBS and fit a shorter stem, but first ask if you can swap it out if it's too long. Otherwise it'll be an expensive exercise. KCNC is a cheap option, and comes in tons of lengths.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Aren't they called Spank 777 because they're 777mm wide?Used to be, but they're now 800mm if you want them to be...
pista Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Bars do make a lot of sense - I feel like I have to curl my hands in slightly to hold my handlebars... but a jump from 720mm to 760mm sounds very minimal - 2cm on each side? Will make a big difference to the comfort and handling.A longer stem will slow the turning of your bike down.
Amberdrake Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 No bleed required loosen and slide off. Yes if measured shortest distance tip to tip they are 777. The total tube length is 800mm (I actualy measured it after I saw the 777 on box). swapping bars shouldn't be to hard just take a picture of how it looked before and replicate. For the angles of the brakes and shifters, sit on bike and see what's comfortable. I prefer mine angled 45 degrees odd downwards.
brucem76 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Yeah, that first review is mine (Myles) - I'm 105kg and they're holding up beautifully. Another mate of mine reckons they're the strongest bars he's owned, and he rides HARD. He's even bent a stem whilst cornering... So ja. You'll feel a bit stretched out and too far forward. As if you're going to go over the bars. Sorta. The wideness will help alleviate that feeling, but it'll still pull you forwards and may make you feel uncomfortable in the technical stuff. Exactly like a longer stem will feel. As for brakes - no need to bleed. Just take off and put back on BEFORE the grips! No alignment marks for the brakes, but there are alignment marks for the stem. Brake setup should be done in your most natural position (in or out of the saddle, whichever you're more often in) and so that your wrists and hands remain flat - not bent at a ridiculous angle. If the stem is too long after the new bars are on, go to your LBS and fit a shorter stem, but first ask if you can swap it out if it's too long. Otherwise it'll be an expensive exercise. KCNC is a cheap option, and comes in tons of lengths.Brilliant. I owe you beer. Spend time on the Tygerberg trails?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Brilliant. I owe you beer. Spend time on the Tygerberg trails?I haven't yet, apart from Contermans DH lines & XC lines, but I will be in the future. Just need to get my A into G and get an annual pass. Oh - and I'm off alcohol (sniff) though you can entice me with one of Hillcrest's steak sandwiches! Those things are epic!
EmptyB Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Nope - only one I've found so far is really expensive, and takes 3 hours - isn't there anything a little more "entry level" for a weekend warrior like me? Geez, mine took an hour??
popcorn_skollie Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 +1 on the rapide bars. I have them on a DH bike. Tough as nails.Rise and sweep are a great feel too.Most lockon grips add 5mm to each side of the bar anyways so your effective bar length is 790Some grips even come with spacers to add another 10/15mm per side if you want.Also, for the love of all that is sacred in this world. Get a short stemThe shortest you feel comfortable with.
Rider3000 Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Hey guys - I'm 195cm tall on an xl frame (should be an xxl frame, but SA doesn't really bring these in) - it's obvious to me my handlebars are too close (hands get numb while riding, can't get my wrists in right position as there's not enough space) How do I work out how much longer I should make stem, and how long is too long (I assume at some point I start introducing other problems?)Go do a proper bike fit... because you might have had the right stem in the first place but maybe something else needs adjustment. Start there and then replace parts !
brucem76 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Go do a proper bike fit... because you might have had the right stem in the first place but maybe something else needs adjustment. Start there and then replace parts !I'll probably end up there, but everybody agrees that at 195cm I should not be on 720mm bars - so I'd rather change the obvious problem first, and then get a proper fit for the more subtle things
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Go do a proper bike fit... because you might have had the right stem in the first place but maybe something else needs adjustment. Start there and then replace parts !No no no. He doesn't. A wider bar is necessary for him - especially given his size and current narrow bar (yes, 720mm is narrow) A "proper" bike fit will only be possible once he's got the wider bar. Even then, what really matters in bike fit is the saddle positioning for optimum pedalling. Which is easy to get by yourself. Bike fits only really concentrate on saddle positioning and fore/aft positioning of the upper body. They don't concentrate on bar width, which IMO is where they are lacking. They also see nothing wrong with fitting a 120mm stem to a mountain bike if that's what will "make the person fit" where in fact all that may be needed are wider bars. Flawed, IMO.
s14phoenix Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Wider bars will help you breathe better also... I also went wider now. Much better. Wider bar to try shorten the stem - that's how you do it. then if the bar is too wide then only chop em.
venom1 Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Like the guys said. Bike fit is your best solution. I recommend going to Debbie from Dynamic Bike Fit. She is based in Tokia
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