Handlebar height relative to seat height
- Thread starter LeftyS7
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FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
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- Silicon Valley
Generally speaking...
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- Road riders and racers typically ride with the bars lower than seat height for better aerodynamics and speed.
- Commuters and most other riders typically ride with bars higher than seat height for better ergonomics and comfort.
Bike Fitting Basics | REI Co-op
Learn how to size a bike for a great fit. We’ll explain how to check standover height and seat position, as well upper body position. Plus, we’ll help you learn how to choose your bike size when shopping online.
This Is Why You Need a Good Bike Fit—Plus How to Get One
If you take one step toward better, more comfortable riding this month, make it getting a good bike fit.
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Right, I understand that. I'm assuming that people riding Giant Explorers are not road racers, but are commuter/tourers as I am.Generally speaking...
You can read a lot about proper bike fitting on the web... the key contact points of adjustment are the bars, saddle, and pedals.
- Road riders and racers typically ride with the bars lower than seat height for better aerodynamics and speed.
- Commuters and most other riders typically ride with bars higher than seat height for better ergonomics and comfort.
Bike Fitting Basics | REI Co-op
Learn how to size a bike for a great fit. We’ll explain how to check standover height and seat position, as well upper body position. Plus, we’ll help you learn how to choose your bike size when shopping online.
This Is Why You Need a Good Bike Fit—Plus How to Get One
If you take one step toward better, more comfortable riding this month, make it getting a good bike fit.
I can't afford to buy new stems of different heights to see what works best so I wanted to survey other owners.
How are your bars set?
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FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
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- Silicon Valley
For my Hybrid and Commuter bikes, I have added a stem riser so the bars are 2-3" inches higher than the saddle.
For my mountain bikes, I like to have the bars and saddle about the same height which helps with technical descents.
I would recommend that you sit on the bike and see what feels comfortable for you... add a riser or angled stem if needed.
pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
It sounds like your build is similar to mine @LeftyS7. My Explore is a L but I was on the cusp of an XL - in retrospect I think I would have fit one fine but they didn't have any floor stock to try.
To get a good fit I swapped the stem with an adjustable model tilted up at about 30 degrees. The extra height and reach was perfect - the bike is now a very comfortable fit. I use a Brooks saddle too. They sit pretty far forward. I was about to buy a 25mmx400mm offset seat post but the new stem does the job.
If you want to take away the guesswork take it in to your shop and they should be able to try some options to find the perfect fit. All the best.
www.99bikes.com.au
To get a good fit I swapped the stem with an adjustable model tilted up at about 30 degrees. The extra height and reach was perfect - the bike is now a very comfortable fit. I use a Brooks saddle too. They sit pretty far forward. I was about to buy a 25mmx400mm offset seat post but the new stem does the job.
If you want to take away the guesswork take it in to your shop and they should be able to try some options to find the perfect fit. All the best.
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Terrific, Thanks. I'm 6'1" with 32 inseam & 35" arms How does that compare with you?
I'm going to have to take it back to my LBS because they had already installed a stem with a 45 deg angle rise.
What seat post did you buy? I bought a Pro PLT seat post with a 20mm offset but it looks like it is the same offset as the stock post.
I'm going to have to take it back to my LBS because they had already installed a stem with a 45 deg angle rise.
What seat post did you buy? I bought a Pro PLT seat post with a 20mm offset but it looks like it is the same offset as the stock post.
pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
Ah, about 6'3", 34" inseam and arm about 36-37" here to use your bizarre measuring system
, so a bit lankier but in the ballpark I guess.I didn't end up getting a seat post as the stem riser gave me the extension I needed, fortunately. You may need one with a bit more extension if yours feels too low or close. There's some interesting options out there that can get the bars up and away from you more: https://www.pushys.com.au/bbb-bhs-34-highfix-120mm-os-25-4-bar-adjustable-trekking-stem.html.
The cabling will limit how far you go. I've got the 90mm stem and truth be told there doesn't feel like a massive amount more give on the cables from there so might be best to get your Giant dealer in on the conversation.
This was the seat post I almost bought: https://www.wiggle.com.au/ritchey-comp-2-bolt-seatpost/. I've jammed my Brooks as far back as it'll go - to the point where the rails narrow. The seat post marker is sitting on 135mm at the bolt. Leg extension feels good to me.
Getting a fit can be finicky. This is the first bike I've tried to get a perfect fit on and it's taken time and trial and error. It's worth it though - I find mine a sublimely comfortable commuter now after about 40 hours in the saddle.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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- Mazovia, PL
The most simple way to raise the handlebars is to use a 3" or 80 mm standard "stem riser for A-HEAD systems", readily available from many brands, see Amazon. The setup is so simple (and well documented on YouTube) that I can do it myself.
It is quite interesting observation FlatSix911 that the same 3" riser makes the handlebars be higher than the saddle on a hybrid bike but on the same level for the MTB. Noticed the same?
Good info, thanksAh, about 6'3", 34" inseam and arm about 36-37" here to use your bizarre measuring system
I didn't end up getting a seat post as the stem riser gave me the extension I needed, fortunately. You may need one with a bit more extension if yours feels too low or close. There's some interesting options out there that can get the bars up and away from you more: https://www.pushys.com.au/bbb-bhs-34-highfix-120mm-os-25-4-bar-adjustable-trekking-stem.html.
The cabling will limit how far you go. I've got the 90mm stem and truth be told there doesn't feel like a massive amount more give on the cables from there so might be best to get your Giant dealer in on the conversation.
This was the seat post I almost bought: https://www.wiggle.com.au/ritchey-comp-2-bolt-seatpost/. I've jammed my Brooks as far back as it'll go - to the point where the rails narrow. The seat post marker is sitting on 135mm at the bolt. Leg extension feels good to me.
Getting a fit can be finicky. This is the first bike I've tried to get a perfect fit on and it's taken time and trial and error. It's worth it though - I find mine a sublimely comfortable commuter now after about 40 hours in the saddle.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Professional advice for the best "fit" using formulas does not work for everyone. I found the most comfortable bar / seat height for me was quite different than that the one recommended by my LBS.
In order to dial in the best bar height position, I bought this Delta stem riser:
It provides almost 5" of height adjustment with no forward or backward movement of the bars caused by the pivot action of adjustable stems.
I originally planned to use it to gauge the proper height and then buy a suitable quality fixed riser. I found I didn't need to replace the Delta product due to it's rigidity. I wouldn't recommend it for downhill or single track MTB use but for the rough trails I sometimes ride, it works well. I also found that on long rides, my comfort level could be improved by adjusting the bar height mid ride. Doing so takes about 5 seconds using the appropriate Allen wrench.
Every rider is different. Finding the right adjustment is a personal thing. Formulas and professional advise is certainly a good place to start but achieving maximum comfort requires tweaking to suit your own personal needs. Even minor adjustments to bar / seat height as well as seat angle can make a big difference.
In order to dial in the best bar height position, I bought this Delta stem riser:
It provides almost 5" of height adjustment with no forward or backward movement of the bars caused by the pivot action of adjustable stems.
I originally planned to use it to gauge the proper height and then buy a suitable quality fixed riser. I found I didn't need to replace the Delta product due to it's rigidity. I wouldn't recommend it for downhill or single track MTB use but for the rough trails I sometimes ride, it works well. I also found that on long rides, my comfort level could be improved by adjusting the bar height mid ride. Doing so takes about 5 seconds using the appropriate Allen wrench.
Every rider is different. Finding the right adjustment is a personal thing. Formulas and professional advise is certainly a good place to start but achieving maximum comfort requires tweaking to suit your own personal needs. Even minor adjustments to bar / seat height as well as seat angle can make a big difference.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
On long rides, I sometimes raise the bars to the top of the riser (4.5") for a more upright position. Most of the time, I use a 2 - 3" rise though.
When ebike shopping, I purposely chose one with swept back bars and longer than usual cables to allow for adding rise. For me, it wasn't a problem but it's definitely something to be aware of. Before buying a riser or adjustable stem, It would be a good idea to first remove your bars from the stem and lift them upward to see how much rise the cables will allow.
Replacing the control cables is fairly easy but not so the wiring harness. Some bike brands offer cable extenders such as these for Bafang:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KK9KKSP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you're handy with a soldering iron, you could add a length of cable and seal the connections with shrink wrap tubing.
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