Well, this one isn't out the difference between a leisurely ride and a workout.  Guess I'll save it for another time.

It’s tough to find things to write about regarding this topic.  Especially for me!  There is just so much out there on loosing weight, dieting, exercise, etc.  What more can I add? I guess just personal experiences.  So here’s another.  Oh, my weight is down to 183 now! 

I’ve been feeling a little “stretched out” on my road bike.  I think the top tube is just a little too long.  I’m currently investigating options.  The 2 options are to either to being the seat closer to the bars, or the bars closer to the seat, or some combination of the two. 

Frankly, moving the seat doesn’t appeal to me.  It’ll change the power curve and the amount of power that I can bring to bear while seated.  Since I spend most time riding my bike in a seated position, this one is out.  That leaves moving the bars.

Moving the bars back has a drawback too. It results in less powder while climbing.  I’m not sure why, but that’s what the “experts” say.  And since they largely agree on it, there might really be some fact there.  Unfortunately, most of bike fit is by feel and not science.  And since I don’t want to move the seat, and I’m feeling stretched out, I’ll move the bars.

Well, actually, it’s not the bars exactly that need moving.  It’s the brifters (this slang term is used to describe the current crop of brakes that include the shifting controls built in) that need to be closer.  One of the most comfortable places for your hands is on the back of the brifters, or “on the hoods” as it’s called.  Being on the hoods is where I feel stretched out.

Now that the specifics are nailed down, there are 2 things I can do to solve the problem.  I can go with a shorter stem.  My current stem holds the bars 9cm out from the frame.  A friend of mine has offered me one that’s 3cm shorter.  The other option is a bar the is curved differently and brings the position of the brifters in.  So what I’m leaning toward doing is getting the new stem and getting a new bar and experimenting with combinations and find the one that works.  Then I can bolt it all together and put on new handlebar tape.

Once this is done, I’ll have an extra bar and stem.  The stem will go into storage.  The bar will go on my other road bike.  The bar on my Bianchi is too narrow.  I find that it makes it harder to breathe by compressing my chest and lungs.  So whatever bar is left over will go on the Bianchi to resolve that problem.  Then I’ll have 2 perfectly configured bikes!  That’s a good thing.