Bar height and risers again!

[Tomg]

I curious about what most people are riding as far a drop height from saddle top to bar mid point. I’m asking for the following reason. Last year I managed to crush a disk in my C-spine. In order to continue to road bike I’ve had to rework the cockpit to have about a 1 inch drop, and I went with a radically shorter stem. I’m now starting to mess with my mountain bike layout. (I don’t seem to have as many issues since I’m not on the bike as long and I’m moving around on it a lot more.)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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A 2” riser bar will take me to about a zero drop. Is anyone out there riding XC with a zero drop? Does it effect your climbing much? All input appreciated.

[LightWeight]

Don't worry about what others are doing - whatever is comfortable for you and keeps you riding is what's most important. :cool:

[Tomg]

Joel,

I generally agree with you... but since bars are ~$50 and stems similar I would like to have some idea if I'm completely out in left field on this one.

[jkalla]

I have about a 2-3 inch drop. I used to have a flarger frame with a longer head tube and seat tube and the drop was essentially zero and I didn't like it. I have read that with the older still quills people used to start out the year with less of a drop and lower the bars as the year went on and they got more flexible. This is not so easy to do with the an aheadset.

Ultiamtely it is a matter of personal preference. Generally I like a lower position.

[Heuy]

you could still drop the bars through the season by shuffling spacers from below your stem to above it.

I've found that the effect on weight distribution by having higher bars drives me nuts, I like some weight on the front wheel, or it gets squirrelly.

Also on mountain bikes there is a lot more variance due to personal preference. My friend Ben runs some pretty tall risers for xc and it works for him.

Another thing you have to realize is that talking in saddle to bar drop doesn't work so well in mtb due to the various hieghts people have their saddles at.

I would say if you can achieve the height you think you want with a slight rise on the stem and spacers under it you could move spacers/flip the stem if you don't like it. Then if you're sure you want to be a little lower long-term you could cut back your steerer tube.

[mtnbykr]

i've had 4 back surgeries and like to/need to ride w/ almost no drop from seat to bar. i run spacers on my 29er fork to bring it up where i like it. i probably have 1 1/2" worth of spacers on it now. rides like a champ. i can climb the dulluth trails.

my road bike isn't as easy to setup due to the frame is too small. i don't ride it at all, no love loss...

if you have more questions, ask away. that's what we're here for.

kl