I appreciate! Based on the results, could I ask you which one you would go for?
Can you find a cheap stem to use with your current bars that will get you close to one of these positions before commiting to the integrated set up?
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It all depends on what you current position is…to get more aero, some people need to go out and up, others needs to go down, some need to go out but at the same height, some need to actually go back.
Going to a longer and / or lower stem does not automatically equate to getting more aero and can sometimes lead to the reverse effect.
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And what position you can hold and deliver power in.
I’m pretty comfortable with my slammed, 130mm, -17 stem and 36 drops/34 hoods and can keep elbows at 90 degrees in a narrow position, head tucked in… but not that comfortable to be honest.
Maybe I’d be better off a little higher so I could maintain it more comfortably and therefore more often/for longer and on average I’d be more aero.
But I’m fine for the time I need to be as aero as possible, so, it’s not worth bothering with for me.
After developing a fit comparison tool for a new bike purchase, I discovered that stems also have different levels of stack. It can vary by as much as 5mm, a typical spacer.
Yup, thats why it’s listed in the calculation above.
But unless someone is really on the limit for sizing, a 5mm difference in total stack is only 2.5mm difference from base to center height at the clamp.
Will matter to some, but I’d guess more people have enough spacers in play to make it work.
The more aero you want to be the more important is to have a chat with you fitter prior any modifications imho
In my case my fitter suggested I started with a different angle if I wanted to stick with the same handlebar width, otherwise a longer stem would have been the first move together with a more narrow handlebar
So I had a 6 degree x 100 with a 400 handlebar
Then moved to a 12 x 100 with a 400 handlebar
As I felt comfortable I went with a 12 x 110 | 400.
As I bought a Roval Rapide integrated handlebar and wanted to go narrower I went for the 6 degrees 115x380.
After some kms, I can say that a narrower handlebar with a longer stem let me be more aero than a different angle, so my suggestion is to go with a narrow handlebar first
But again I’d like to reiterate that it’s very personal, so unless you are sure, I’d start with something cheap as other have mentioned to try it
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True, though most of the stem options I’ve been looking at are areo or an entire cockpit without an upper flange on the steerer clamp, so the bar/hood height relates to the spec’d stem stack.
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That’s a great idea! I’ve never seen a narrower handlebar or moving from a round handlebar to an aero handlebar be anything other than a positive improvement.
I’ve often seen a lower or longer or lower&longer stem be no or negative improvement. So if you are going to fiddle with the stem you better be testing it to make sure. When it comes to stem angle and length aerodynamics aren’t intuitive…that’s been my experience.
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Simple yet very handy. Thanks for that link, @mcneese.chad
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If you like the bike… Keep it and enjoy what it gives you. But if you want to get more aero… its time for a new bike. I am honestly amazed that you are getting good power. It looks like you have so much more leverage to give than what that bike is offering.
Those bikes look MADE for those riders. They dont have to “try” and be aero. Just sitting on it makes them aero.