Hi everyone! I’m looking for advice from more experienced riders regarding cockpit setup.
I have a size XL frame with modern geometry. My details and bike setup are:
- Rider height: 189 cm
- Inseam: 93 cm
- Fork: 120 mm travel (manufacturer-recommended)
- Head tube angle: approx. 67.4°
- Wheel size: 29”
- Riding style: city riding, asphalt, casual rides, some light off-road; no jumps or aggressive trail riding
- Main priority: comfort (especially neck and shoulders)
The bike is not built yet and I don’t have the option to test-ride, so everything is being chosen theoretically.
I’m planning to use an integrated cockpit: Syncros Hixon IC SL, with the following specs:
- Width: 780 mm
- Backsweep: 8–9°
- Rise: 25 mm
- Stem length options: 40 mm or 50 mm
My understanding so far:
- Raising the bars (rise + spacers) effectively shortens reach, because the steerer tube is angled
- With an integrated cockpit, there is no room for later adjustment
- Choosing too long of a stem can negatively affect comfort, especially for relaxed riding
This is where I’m unsure:
- Would 40 mm be too short for a 189 cm rider on an XL frame with a 120 mm fork?
- Or would 50 mm be a better all-around and more comfortable choice for my use case?
I have plenty of spacers available, so bar height can be adjusted as needed.
I’d really appreciate any feedback or personal experience from riders with similar height, frame size, or geometry.
Thanks in advance! 🙏
by AcceptableAnybody272