Hello, I am a new road cyclist, I have been riding my Giant Contend AR 3 for about 9 months, and I already have more than 8,000 km accumulated.
I have problems adjusting the position of the levers with respect to the drop bars on the handlebar.
If I place the levers level, the drop bars are very vertical, and if I place the drop bars level, the levers point VERY downwards and are impossible to use.
I decided to remove the tape from the handlebars and reposition the levers, the drop bars are more comfortable, but a curve formed before the levers which caused me pain in the lower part of the palm, I couldn't achieve a good fit, and I went back to the previous configuration.
My question is: Maybe my handlebar is not designed so that the drops bars are level with the ground? If I wanted to have the levers and also the drops bars level, would I need another handlebar?
I appreciate all kinds of guidance!
by Sanez95
3 Comments
You could try inverting the stem and reconfiguring the bars. However, that would lower your stack, and if you have flexibility issues it might not be ideal
Thats a lot of KMs in the first year! The first picture is the way most people set up a modern compact drop handlebar like you have there. Nice flat transition from bars to hoods. Some people like to keep the hoods that way but rotate the handlebar *slightly* upward toward the rider for a little more natural feel. But that might put the drops opposite of what you’re asking for. Your later pictures with the hoods moved way up the bar and the bar rotated down far seems to be too extreme. Perhaps try slightly in between. I understand you’re looking for comfort both on the hoods and in the drops, but you might not find it with this type of bar. You might prefer an “ergo“ or “anatomic“ style drop bar.
First picture looks correct