Bike-Fitting: Adjustment of Handlebar Position
The final step in bike fitting — handlebar position — determines back angle and reach, and getting it right requires balancing flexibility, anatomy, and riding goals.
After addressing shoe cleat and saddle position, we now turn to the final step of bike fitting: the adjustment of handlebar position, which determines both back angle and reach.
Back Angle
The most efficient and sustainable position depends primarily on the rider's muscle flexibility. Limited flexibility — for example due to shortened muscles — requires a more upright position. Greater flexibility allows for a flatter posture with aerodynamic advantages. However, an excessively flat position can create pressure in the perineal area and affect the pelvis and sit bones. Back angle adjustment is therefore highly individualized.
At Vélobsessive, individual flexibility is factored into the proposed position, which is then tested and refined on the simulator. The back angle typically falls between 40° and 55° and can be adjusted via frame stack height, spacer configuration, stem height, and stem angle.
Reach Adjustment
Correct reach depends on the rider's upper body and arm length. Excessive reach affects the back angle and can cause shoulder tension. At Vélobsessive, precise measurements inform a proposal that is tested and fine-tuned on the simulator. Optimal reach is measured through the hip-shoulder-wrist angle, which generally falls between 75° and 85°.
Handlebar Width
Handlebar width must align with the rider's anatomy. The old rule of "shoulder width equals handlebar width" has largely given way to narrower bars with an outward flare — so-called flare drop bars. The flared drop provides a wider hand position in the drops for stability and control, while the section around the brake levers remains narrower for a more compact and aerodynamic position. This design also reduces strain on the wrists and shoulders, particularly on longer rides. Individual customization of all these elements is essential — not only for performance, but for long-term comfort and riding health.
In this page...
"I was tired of spending a lot of money on bikes that never truly fit. So I founded Vélobsessive."
Thomas Glättli
Founder of Vélobsessive & Bike Fitter
[ THE MAN BEHIND THE BLOG ]
Tired of Bikes that don't fit
Thomas Glättli is the driving force behind Vélobsessive. As an enthusiastic cyclist and dedicated amateur athlete, he was tired of compromising when it came to finding the perfect road bike. In 2019, he founded Vélobsessive with a clear goal: the rider shouldn't have to fit the bike; the bike should fit the rider.
