Additional Factors

There are several additional factors which affect the ideal position. Here are a few...

Torso Length

If you have a long torso you might require a shallower angle to keep your weight off your arms - even if that puts your knees well behind the pedals. Likewise if you have a short torso you might have your knees infront of the pedals. If you have a 'low centre of gravity' (big thighs or a big bum) you might want a steeper angle

Foot size

Unusually large or small feet (to the ball of the foot) might require change to saddle height

Riding style

You might have a particularly toes down or flat footed riding style.

How do you like to hold the bars?

If you like holding the drops you might prefer your bars higher than someone who prefers to hold the tops or hoods.

Stretched or hunched

Lack of flexibility in your lower back or in your neck & shoulders might reduce your comfortable reach. If this is extreme you might even prefer a steeper angle. If you are particularly flexible you might prefer a longer reach, or lower bars.

Head angle (yours, not the bike’s)

The angle that you can tip your face forward while retaining forward vision is a limiting factor. If you have deep set eyes (like me) you might not be able to ride comfortably or safely with your handlebars set low down.

Tri bars

Traditional position theory is based on three points of contact: feet, backside and hands. Tribars introduce a fourth point, the forearm, and mean that the skeleton is supported directly. More weight can be taken on the handlebars. The balanced tri-bar position has a steeper seat angle and a shorter reach. It is still important to know your basic position even if you only ever race with tribars. You should do most of your winter training without them and your tri-bar position should be your normal position rotated about (4 degrees) forward round the bottom bracket.