Bike fit / correct riding position

"PLus her weight is forced much further forward and looks very unstable."

people on too short bikes and risers are unstable too.
weight needs to be evenly distributed and hand position towards the front of the wheel center helps stability.

without seeing her sat on the bike it's difficult for anyone to make an assessment.
before going to the expense of swapping bar types it could be that a shorter/higher stem and narrower bars (if she has narrow shoulders and the bike came with 42/44's?) would be a good place to start.

it does sound as if you yourself don't know that much about about bike-fit, the money spent on swapping bars/levers that might solve the problem would be better spent on advice from a bike fitter.

Do you know what bike it is? That would help allot.

My old beater-town bike had something like a 58tt and I go for a 53tt. With the saddle a bit forward, a short stem and north road bars it was fine.

But if she's got and prefers drops, it's unlikely she'll be after anything like the above set up.

When I was looking for risers, some of them seemed to have a lot of sweap so it think you could pull them back a fair bit even with out massive swept back bars. Also I think allot of OTPs tend to come with +110mm stems, so dropping that to 90mm will make a instant difference.

Is it a new bike? if she has been mis-sold a new bike that doesn't fit her, take it back and ask for one that does?

What length is the stem? Are the crops compact crops already or normal? If the stem is long and the drops are not compact you could easily reduce the reach quite a bit by swapping stem and bars.

I think MrsMyth is correct that if you are spending money on replacing parts it would be better to get someone who has more of an idea to cast an eye of the bike / rider.

Just await the arrival of Commodore Edward H Scoble, commanding the flotilla of London's famous Wimbledon of London.

He'll tell you what to do.
If you're really lucky he'll post some 'images'.

Maybe not. He might get "a drubbing" from Pajamas.

Is it a new bike? if she has been mis-sold a new bike that doesn't fit her, take it back and ask for one that does?

Yep.

If she walks in with an ill-fitting bike and a receipt, any shop worth its salt will concede that she's been given shit advice and swap it.

I have a short stem, 90mm I think and compact/shallow drops 38cm wide if she wants them.

1 1/8th ahead steerer and OS clamp, both black

£20 for both

Deal of the fucking century^

Crap news - Ive just got news that the bike was stolen outside her doctors this morning while she was at an appointment...

It was a grey specialized. Nothing special or identifiable about the bike other than it was new.

Guess i wont have to help get it right for her now... Thanks for all the advice guys, i will try help her with the next one if she wants a new one...

someone has to... so...

how was it locked?

I asked and she said it was a heavy duty chain lock (dont think it was a Kryptonite though) and some sort of crappy lock as well... She said that they took the cut locks/chain with them - I thought that was weird. Like theyre looking after the environment while they steal.

Ah man that's totally fucked news. When I set up my girlfriends new bike I had to replace the stem for a 80 mm jobbie and get a true 0'setback seatpost. Made all the difference for only a few pounds. The stupid bike shop were useless and didnt even have spare parts to try out, but I see my bike smarts and the Internet to get the fit sorted and the new parts for less than the cost of the stupid Mtb stem the guy was going to order in.

I was going to use the power of the Forum to get the bike right... Fucking Annoying.

Ian, perhaps instead of speculating, measure up the young lady?

Seat tube length is set when the frame is made.
Seat post is what you adjust to get your riding position.
What colour frame did Beryl Burton ride ?

shit news, ian

Ian, perhaps instead of speculating, measure up the young lady?
thats the plan! Anyone got a ruler?

shit news, ian
Cheers Mumbles.

cnut

Seat tube length is set when the frame is made.
Seat post is what you adjust to get your riding position.
What colour frame did Beryl Burton ride ?
Understood everything except the last one... Ill try and get it painted the same colour as Beryl Burton

It was a grey specialized. Nothing special

..Oliver would like that

thats the plan! Anyone got a ruler?

Give her a Cycle Fit* voucher for Crimbo. Or send to Scherrit.

*) As recommended by Ed.

cnut
Sorry Murts, but you just made me smile :-)

thanks for the condolences though.

Here, darling.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

That would give you a better idea about the adjustments of the seatpost, saddle, stem etc.

cheers honeybunch!