I am 6'4" and I recently got into mountain biking. My wife and I bought some decent used bikes (name brand stuff) and started biking. My first experience on a long and technical trail left me feeling nearly cripp0led afterwards. Now I was using a non-suspension Trek, but the bumps didn't bother me. If you drive a truck it should be expected to ride like one. What bothered me was bending over on the bike for 2 hours. Recently my wife purchased a hybid bike for road use. She was getting frustrated with the constant bending over on her MTB as she is no midget at 6' tall. It has a very upright orientation. Recently she rode it 30 miles with no discomfort. I tried it out and it was very comfortable. So I had the idea to put the upswept bars on my Trek. They are wide and elevate 3.5 inches which afffords amore upright position. I took it over some trails today and it was comfortable and handled the technical sections with much more control. So why is all the high tech engineering put into making you bend over? Aerodynamics are a minimal influence on a tough trail so the gain you would get from a bent over position is arguable.
What is up with all of the bending over?
Atl
21 - 30 of 30 Posts
You might need to consider your handle bar height & reach adjustments in relation to the seat. Assuming you've got the proper seat height and setback distances correctly for proper leg to crank extension.
It's possible to add spacers to raise the stem, but only to a point, as you can't go too high over the fork steer tube. Also a more angled up stem + riser bars will add height.
It's possible to add spacers to raise the stem, but only to a point, as you can't go too high over the fork steer tube. Also a more angled up stem + riser bars will add height.
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1,937 Posts
People who ride for recreation or exercise do not need a racers position. as long as your frame is the right size, you should be able to reach a comfortable riding position without too much effort. Riser Bars, Shorter, hi rise stems, adding more spacers under the stem if you have the room.
See lots of mountain bikes being sold with a more relaxed position these days.
See lots of mountain bikes being sold with a more relaxed position these days.
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12 Posts
I was in the same or similar situation as the OP. I recommend you take a look at some of the Salsa Motoace SUL stems and maybe a set or Mary Bars or the similar Origin 8 Space Bars.
The combo will give you plenty of rise and the salsa stem(s) will give just about any combo of length and rise you might ever need...
The combo will give you plenty of rise and the salsa stem(s) will give just about any combo of length and rise you might ever need...
bent over = weight over the front wheel = traction on the front wheel for better steering
not necessary if you're just plunking along.
but offroad you need that traction to make sure your front tire doesn't wash out and you get tossed off the trail. shorter stems and higher bars are the solution for recreational riders on "mountain" bikes.
not necessary if you're just plunking along.
but offroad you need that traction to make sure your front tire doesn't wash out and you get tossed off the trail. shorter stems and higher bars are the solution for recreational riders on "mountain" bikes.
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12 Posts
In order to weight your front wheel properly, part of the equation is stem length and where it positions your bar/hands in relation to the front hub. If your bar is too far back the wheel tends to pop up and unweights easily losing traction etc.
How far back is too far back? i.e. what is the recommended range that the bar (or hands in the case of mary or space bars) should be set up behind the front hub?
How far back is too far back? i.e. what is the recommended range that the bar (or hands in the case of mary or space bars) should be set up behind the front hub?
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176 Posts
I put BMX bars on my mountain bikes and love it!!! Do whatever you feel is most comfortable for the type of riding you do. Everybody is different.
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36 Posts
Lol i love beinding over in my tight summer biker shorts if u knw what i mean 
check out a short video i made of me at
http://*****/8ZTQF
Lemme knw what u think !
Thanks. X
check out a short video i made of me athttp://*****/8ZTQF
Lemme knw what u think
!Thanks. X
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5,127 Posts
The 90s bikes frequently had long stems and stretched out geometry. If you go out and ride some bikes on the showroom floors then you'll find out that every bike will fit more comfortably than your current rig. As always:Integra96 said:
Ride everything in your price range
Pick the one that fits well and is the most fun to ride
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2,643 Posts
I had recently ridden a friends comfort bike to check it out. Coming right off my "performance" commuter the riding position felt rather percarious.... twitchy and sketchy being so upright! It definitely would compromise any off road riding I'd feel comfortable doing!
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