Chuck,
Another point to consider: One of the things I found when I came back to cycling a few years ago was that foot position on the pedal was an issue for me. In the classic age - I located my foot on the pedal by default based on the toe clip size screwed to my pedal. Back when I was riding with clips in the old days, my foot was size 10, I believe I used a large size toe clip and that determined where my foot went on the pedal.
When I started doing more miles after I came back to cycling, I switched to clipless pedals for many reasons. One of the positives as a result of that decision was that they gave me more freedom to determine foot position. I located my foot by the ball of the foot over the axle method. My foot was now a significantly larger 46 1/2 and on long hard rides I found my legs prone to cramping at the end of a ride when there was serious climmbing to be done. Based on the recommendation of some online fit information I read, I found that by moving my foot forward, I could enlist my butt and thigh muscles more effectively and depend less on the lower leg. After I moved my shoe forward, I didn't feel like I was using my toes to power my stroke so much. All this was big help to my cycling performance and enjoyment. The latest itteration of Look Keo cleats that I use seems to have less adjustability front to rear and seemed to lessen the possible amount of forward adjustment of my shoe over the pedal to my displeasure.
So my advice is to also consider shoe placement on the pedal before doing anything else as this will have an affect on all other fit determinations. Ultimately, everyone is a little different and you have to find the right fit for you regardless of all the "rules of thumb". Happy miles!!!
Roman L Stankus Atlanta, Georgia USA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of
> paccoastcycles
> Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 2:23 AM
> To: r cielec; Classic Rendezvous
> Subject: Re: [CR] Cockpit positioning question
>
> Richard, I see that some have answered that the stem/hub
> relationship is not how they fit up a bike. I use that method
> and like it a lot, so I'll say how I do it.
>
> First, I think there is nothing that can be done to make a
> too small bike comfortable enough to consider a good fitting.
> So, if the bike is too small, I don't do the fitting and
> waste the customer's money. It has been my experience that
> those who "fit" themselves on the internet end up thinking
> they need smaller bikes than I think they do, some comically
> (tragically?) so. So first, the bike must be the right size.
>
> Next, seat height. I use the heel on the pedal method. That
> should straighten the leg without rocking on the seat.
>
> Next, fore and aft on the saddle with the plumb line just
> behind the knee cap aligning with the ball of the foot.
>
> After those things are in place, the hub/bar alignment is
> done with the hands in the drops. From that position, I like
> for the bar to obscure the view of the hub. In other words,
> they will be in line with each other. There are some smaller
> riders that this hasn't worked for.
>
> Handlebar height is up to the rider and has much to do with
> comfort. Most of my fitting is done for people who want to be
> comfortable for longer periods of time as opposed to actual
> racers. We tend to use a higher position than most racers but
> not less reach.
>
> That's a pretty simple method but it has produced good
> results. I do not tell people that this is "gospel" or that
> they should never experiment or deviate from the resulting
> fit we come up with.
>
> My ideas about bike fit involve the position of the rider in
> relation to the wheelbase of the bike. It seems to me that
> the hub/bar alignment in the hooks makes for good comfort and
> even though none of my bikes are twins, they all feel best
> when I use that method.
>
> I hope we see a lot of opinions on this subject. I'm
> particularly interested to see what Ted Ernst will have to
> say about it.
>
> Chuck Hoefer
> Pacific Coast Cycles
> Oceanside, Ca.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "r cielec" <teaat4p@yahoo.com>
> To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 7:51 PM
> Subject: [CR] Cockpit positioning question
>
>
> > Ahoy !
> >
> > With respect to setting-up several bicycles of various
> sizes, I am seeking
> > the "Wisdom of The List".
> >
> > May I ask please: Where does your front axle align with your
> > handlebars/brake lever? That is: as viewed from the side,
> where does the
> > front axle align fore-aft with respect to handlebars/brake lever?
> > For instance: On one of my bikes, the axle aligns
> immediately behind where
> > the brake cable passes through the brake lever body.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Richard Cielec
> > Chicago, Illinois; U.S.A.