[CR] FW: Eyeballing the handlebars w/front hub

(Example: History)

From: "Robb Rasmussen" <okmain@hotmail.com>
To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:53:43 +0000
In-Reply-To: <75d04b480911262209k46880aa0o20790c7492a40ebc@mail.gmail.com>
References: <a68df3270911261627q337e4965w61f1285f9ba85a7b@mail.gmail.com> <9b47937e0911262055y2d6c0d5g7622dade1439d774@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: [CR] FW: Eyeballing the handlebars w/front hub


Dear CR listers,

bike fitting can raise all kinds of opinions. The following is mine:

I feel that, after proper leg extension and seat forward and back, that putting the thumbs on the inside of the handlebar where the forward curve starts, that a good fitting bike/stem length, the main part of the handlebar coming out of the stem will block the riders view of the front hub.

Another way to say this is have a rider put their hands in the drops and then look straight ahead with the face flat, the tip of the nose is over the handlebar.

I like to see about 30 to 45 degrees bend in the knee with the foot level at the bottom of the pedal stroke, this enables the legs to act as shock absorbers.

KOPS (back of Kneecap, plumbline to Over Pedal Spindle works for seat setback.

Many people have many ideas. When I ordered my custom touring frame from Dennis Sparrow in 1979, he used the CONI manual as a guide, and that was comfortable for me.

Many people have their own ideas, and what works for you may differ.

as in, your mileage may vary.

doing my own method of bike fitting for over 35 years. I had used a modern computer based fitting for a couple of years, and have gone back to using a trainer and the above method.

My happy customers have included the oldest finisher in the Ironman triathlon in Hawai and a friend who finished 9th in the world in 50- 55 year old Duathlon World Championships. so, it can work for racing as well, but my fit is more geared to recreational riders.

Here is a physical therapists perspective, that I agree with:

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=31240

Robb Rasmussen Sioux River Bicycles & Fitness 501 Main Ave Brookings, SD 57006 http://www.501main.com

USA
> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:09:19 -0800
> From: haxixe@gmail.com
> CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR] Eyeballing the handlebars w/front hub
>
> It's surely too simple to cover a broad range of cases but I've found
> that even though I have never used it as a guide, when I've got my
> bikes set up just the way I prefer, it happens that it perfectly
> describes where my bar ends up. So if it isn't universal- which it
> can't realistically be- it certainly works for me.
>
> I'd forgot about that "rule" and hadn't heard it in decades.
>
> Kurt Sperry
> Bellingham, Washington
> USA
>
> On Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 8:55 PM, Bill Gibson <bill.bgibson@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Tops of the bars. But, some say the rule has no universal basis in a good
> > fit. The research published in Bicycle Quarterly the past few years sheds
> > light on the matter for me. Depends on whether the bike is designed to race,
> > or carry a load in the rear or the front. But it worked really well on my
> > early 70's Falcon, branded an Eddy Merkyx 531 db bike, which I used for
> > everything. It had a GB stem and handlebars with the engraved outline of the
> > UK near the stem...and eyelets on the back dropouts, so it wasn't just for
> > racing. And, it was orange.
> >
> > Bill Gibson, Tempe, Arizona, USA, thinking about a ride...
> _______________________________________________

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