I am afraid there is only one solution to this: smaller frame.
Monkey_Fiddler on
You can get even shorter stems and I have seen steerer tube extensions but I don’t know how much I would trust them.
Maybe some funky shaped handlebars that put the hoods higher and closer together.
But realistically, it looks like you need a frame with less reach.
simplejackbikes on
The best solution is to get a frame that fits you
Substantial_Unit2311 on
Flipping your stem will help a bit. Where are you getting your numbers from? Have you gotten a fit at a bike shop? What’s your saddle position like?
aycko on
Get a basic bike fitting. Either with a friend that does road cycling or some basic calculator [https://zinncycles.com/bike-fitting/bicycle-fit-calculator/](https://zinncycles.com/bike-fitting/bicycle-fit-calculator/). It’s important to start in the ball park of a correct fit.
It might be that your bike is too big and you need a smaller frame.
If this is your first road bike and you have the right size, then you need to adapt yourself to the bike. It’s a bit uncomfortable at the start, but you get used to it. Core workouts and stretching can help you get used to the new position.
6 cm on top on what you already have is super unusual for a road bike.
Icy-Section-7421 on
Buy a non set back seat post and push the seat forward. Also with current set up make sure your seat nose is level and not pointing slightly up.
Sporadic_Tomato on
I know it’s not what you want to hear but you need a different frame. That stem is already super short and going shorter and higher is going to make the bike handle like crap. You could do a flat bar set-up with bullhorns but you’d be into swapping so much stuff that you could probably find a bike that fits on the used market for the same price and get to stick with drop bars. Also, the flat bar still wouldn’t feel as good as a properly fitted frame.
Epiliptik on
There can be many reason to have too much weight on your wrist, check how to setup a bike and try different settings. Posture is also important, your upper body should not be a dead weight on your hands.
MintWarfare on
Get an adjustable stem and/or new handlebars. If you want an upright position then dropbars are the opposite of what you need.
It sounds like you want a zero offset stem. They put the clamping area directly above the steerer tube, and as a result it’s much higher and closer to the rider. They’re a niche item and they are probably weird to ride, so YMMV.
The other option is a proper bike fitting and a new frame.
Cruiser_Supreme on
If it really is too long, you’ll need a smaller frame. That stem is already really short.
Alternatively, check in with your core strength. Your core should be holding most of your weight and your arms should only hold enough weight to steer the bike. If you don’t have the lower back strength, your arms, shoulders, and neck will experience a lot pressure. A frame that’s too big can certainly make this worse
Edit: reading your post again and seeing you have strain in wrist and shoulders. Really sounds like it could be a lack of core strength. I recommend this video:
Pic 1:
Rotate handlebar counter clockwise
Unwrap bar tape (it needs to be replaced anyway seeing how worn it is)
Undo shifter clamp bolt
Mount shifter higher up the bend.
This will shorten reach
Pic 2:
How wide is the bar? Narrower bars reduce reach too
Overall I agree with statements saying the bike might be too big if you need these modifications.
Post a picture of the whole bike from the side taken level.
Post a close-up picture of the saddle and seatpost like this bar/stem shot.
Tell us your height and if there’s anything unusual about your body (for example, my arms are shorter proportional to my height than average).
Liquidwombat on
You need a different frame. 50 to 60 mm is a huge change.
badger906 on
Lowering your saddle (almost everyone has their saddle too high, it’s normally the first adjustment in a bike fit). Will shorten your reach a little. But no where near 5-6cm. That’s 2 sizes smaller on a frame. Bars with shorter reach also exist. But it’s normally only about 20mm.
At this point I’d probably just put a flat bar on it. Yes it means new shifters and brake levers. But it’s cheaper than a new frame.
Dmeastlasher on
60mm is 3 frame sizes down.
Probably you need bicycle of different kind.
OkExplanation6405 on
Best option is a correctly fitting frame that has a long headtube for a more relaxed fit. Other option would be a steer tube extender. Keep in mind with a steer tube extender you will likely need all new cables and housing.
Chrisodle007 on
This is concerning and I feels bad for ya . Either you have some serious fitness and core strength issues or your bike is wildly big for you imo.
thegiantgummybear on
Try a stem that raises the bars and is shorter. Get it from somewhere with a good return policy and try it for a week. It’s a easy 10 min job to switch stems and you’ll feel the difference pretty quickly
Zettinator on
If you think you need that much adjustment, you have the wrong size frame. You already have a really stumpy stem ffs. The only fix is a correct size frame.
bigredbicycles on
I think you want a different type of bike to be honest. Something more upright, sounds like what you want.
passim on
Your frame is too big, etc. Move seat forward, do what everyone else says. You can also get a few cm by getting riser drop bars:
Narrower bars will help a bit. But not as much as you are looking for
DeadBy2050 on
I have no idea of the make, model, size, or geometry of the bike. Or of your height. But best solution would be a flat bar road bike aka hybrid.
An alternative would be a conversion: install a riser stem adapter (assuming your steerer is metal and not carbon), flat bars, and compatible shifters and brake levers.
As many have stated: if your desired solution is the only one working for you (I don’t know how you came to the conclusion), you would need a completely different bike.
However, I would go with (way) narrower bars first. This can relieve a lot of pain in wrists and shoulders. Specialized for example has some bars which go as narrow as 36cm and are affordable. Their geometry is also good.
Judging from the second photo the proportions of distance from saddle nose to handlebar compared to handlebar width is way off. I guess those are 42-44cm wide?
Measure your shoulders, or better have someone measure them for you, but I am guessing you‘ll probably end up at 38cm or even smaller in width.
EBikeAddicts on
install those super short mountain bike raised stems. you can reduce reach by upto 8-10 cm!
Glasshalffullofpiss on
Maybe look into joining the “drop bars suck” club. If you are some sort of racer this club isn’t for you.
33 Comments
this will tell you exactly what will do it. [http://www.yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php](http://www.yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php)
I am afraid there is only one solution to this: smaller frame.
You can get even shorter stems and I have seen steerer tube extensions but I don’t know how much I would trust them.
Maybe some funky shaped handlebars that put the hoods higher and closer together.
But realistically, it looks like you need a frame with less reach.
The best solution is to get a frame that fits you
Flipping your stem will help a bit. Where are you getting your numbers from? Have you gotten a fit at a bike shop? What’s your saddle position like?
Get a basic bike fitting. Either with a friend that does road cycling or some basic calculator [https://zinncycles.com/bike-fitting/bicycle-fit-calculator/](https://zinncycles.com/bike-fitting/bicycle-fit-calculator/). It’s important to start in the ball park of a correct fit.
It might be that your bike is too big and you need a smaller frame.
If this is your first road bike and you have the right size, then you need to adapt yourself to the bike. It’s a bit uncomfortable at the start, but you get used to it. Core workouts and stretching can help you get used to the new position.
6 cm on top on what you already have is super unusual for a road bike.
Buy a non set back seat post and push the seat forward. Also with current set up make sure your seat nose is level and not pointing slightly up.
I know it’s not what you want to hear but you need a different frame. That stem is already super short and going shorter and higher is going to make the bike handle like crap. You could do a flat bar set-up with bullhorns but you’d be into swapping so much stuff that you could probably find a bike that fits on the used market for the same price and get to stick with drop bars. Also, the flat bar still wouldn’t feel as good as a properly fitted frame.
There can be many reason to have too much weight on your wrist, check how to setup a bike and try different settings. Posture is also important, your upper body should not be a dead weight on your hands.
Get an adjustable stem and/or new handlebars. If you want an upright position then dropbars are the opposite of what you need.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=98594&attribute=243703&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8ts2mrw5m_xaDmgPmd3ZTzW8xb25AZKzwdE7tfJsif42cDnaRPlmNjBoC0WkQAvD_BwE
It sounds like you want a zero offset stem. They put the clamping area directly above the steerer tube, and as a result it’s much higher and closer to the rider. They’re a niche item and they are probably weird to ride, so YMMV.
The other option is a proper bike fitting and a new frame.
If it really is too long, you’ll need a smaller frame. That stem is already really short.
Alternatively, check in with your core strength. Your core should be holding most of your weight and your arms should only hold enough weight to steer the bike. If you don’t have the lower back strength, your arms, shoulders, and neck will experience a lot pressure. A frame that’s too big can certainly make this worse
Edit: reading your post again and seeing you have strain in wrist and shoulders. Really sounds like it could be a lack of core strength. I recommend this video:
https://youtu.be/r8Qv9to8-bA?si=hjvb7iaAMKsKKFsm
Pic 1:
Rotate handlebar counter clockwise
Unwrap bar tape (it needs to be replaced anyway seeing how worn it is)
Undo shifter clamp bolt
Mount shifter higher up the bend.
This will shorten reach
Pic 2:
How wide is the bar? Narrower bars reduce reach too
Overall I agree with statements saying the bike might be too big if you need these modifications.
Maybe try a [0mm stem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GYm3xB1IJJw)
Post a picture of the whole bike from the side taken level.
Post a close-up picture of the saddle and seatpost like this bar/stem shot.
Tell us your height and if there’s anything unusual about your body (for example, my arms are shorter proportional to my height than average).
You need a different frame. 50 to 60 mm is a huge change.
Lowering your saddle (almost everyone has their saddle too high, it’s normally the first adjustment in a bike fit). Will shorten your reach a little. But no where near 5-6cm. That’s 2 sizes smaller on a frame. Bars with shorter reach also exist. But it’s normally only about 20mm.
At this point I’d probably just put a flat bar on it. Yes it means new shifters and brake levers. But it’s cheaper than a new frame.
60mm is 3 frame sizes down.
Probably you need bicycle of different kind.
Best option is a correctly fitting frame that has a long headtube for a more relaxed fit. Other option would be a steer tube extender. Keep in mind with a steer tube extender you will likely need all new cables and housing.
This is concerning and I feels bad for ya . Either you have some serious fitness and core strength issues or your bike is wildly big for you imo.
Try a stem that raises the bars and is shorter. Get it from somewhere with a good return policy and try it for a week. It’s a easy 10 min job to switch stems and you’ll feel the difference pretty quickly
If you think you need that much adjustment, you have the wrong size frame. You already have a really stumpy stem ffs. The only fix is a correct size frame.
I think you want a different type of bike to be honest. Something more upright, sounds like what you want.
Your frame is too big, etc. Move seat forward, do what everyone else says. You can also get a few cm by getting riser drop bars:
https://preview.redd.it/zccxk826jmcc1.jpeg?width=1016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a45e088d0c79acca1c7ce0592353b9a97ecaaad5
1. You could go flat bar instead of drop to get a more comfortable ride
2. You could use this abomination of a stem https://velo-orange.com/products/cigne-stem
Narrower bars will help a bit. But not as much as you are looking for
I have no idea of the make, model, size, or geometry of the bike. Or of your height. But best solution would be a flat bar road bike aka hybrid.
An alternative would be a conversion: install a riser stem adapter (assuming your steerer is metal and not carbon), flat bars, and compatible shifters and brake levers.
[https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/5-core-exercises-for-cyclists-to-improve-efficiency-and-strength/](https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/5-core-exercises-for-cyclists-to-improve-efficiency-and-strength/)
As many have stated: if your desired solution is the only one working for you (I don’t know how you came to the conclusion), you would need a completely different bike.
However, I would go with (way) narrower bars first. This can relieve a lot of pain in wrists and shoulders. Specialized for example has some bars which go as narrow as 36cm and are affordable. Their geometry is also good.
Judging from the second photo the proportions of distance from saddle nose to handlebar compared to handlebar width is way off. I guess those are 42-44cm wide?
Measure your shoulders, or better have someone measure them for you, but I am guessing you‘ll probably end up at 38cm or even smaller in width.
install those super short mountain bike raised stems. you can reduce reach by upto 8-10 cm!
Maybe look into joining the “drop bars suck” club. If you are some sort of racer this club isn’t for you.
Salsa guide stem with 45° rise