How to Set Road Bike Handlebar Height
After you've purchased the correct frame and components, certain adjustments must be made to fine tune the bike to your body size. Setting the handlebar height will place your upper body in the ideal riding position to prevent lover back and joint pain, as well as maximize control over the bike and energy transfer to the legs.
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Instructions
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1
Look at your bike from the side. Set your handlebars so that the ends of the bar drops are more or less parallel to the ground.
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2
In your cycling clothing, mount your bike in the trainer and pedal for a few minutes, using every riding position. Be sure that you are not leaning too heavily on the bars in any position. Your elbows should be slightly bent when gripping the horns, and in the drop position your knees should come within a few inches of your elbows.
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3
Adjust your handlebars to gain a balance of these criteria. Bring the bars up to put yourself in a more upright position, or down for aggressive riding styles.
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4
After your first adjustments, get back on the bike and check the same conditions in Step 2.
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5
Wait for several rides to make more adjustments. If after your body has grown used to the new position, you continue to experience discomfort in your wrists, elbows or lower back, you may need to adjust your handlebar height again. Try bringing the bars up a little to bring yourself into a more upright position.
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Tips & Warnings
Feel free to experiment. Because handlebar settings are so individual, there is really no rule for how they should be adjusted. Let your body tell you what's right.
If after several adjustments you still cannot find a comfortable setup, take your bike to a repair shop. Your stem might be too long and may need to be replaced.
