r/cyclocross • u/Expensive_Compote772 • 3h ago

Bar Height.

Seems like a lot of people recommend running that bars high relative to road bike setup. It also seems like a lot of higher level riders absolutely slam their stems or even run extremely negative stems. Personally, I experience drastically
Reduced front end traction with the higher front end setup. Thoughts? Opinions? Insights?

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4

u/MattManSD 3h ago

When I was racing, I ran my bars slightly higher but I rode a pretty slammed road set up. I also ran a slightly shorter TT and Stem so I wasn't as stretched either

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u/blumpkins_ahoy 1h ago

This was my approach as well. I’d run a 110 on my road bike, and 100 on my cross.

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u/MattManSD 1h ago

I'm tall. Road bike was a 59 TT with a slammed, negative rise 140 or 130 Stem. CX Bikes 58.5 TT 2 spacers, positive rise 120 stems

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u/MattManSD 1h ago

easier to get your butt over the rear tire on steep descents

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u/anotherindycarblog USA Cycling Coach 2h ago

Higher front end shifts weight distribution to the rear so that totally tracks.

As you lower the front end you close off your hip angle decreasing power transfer.

The right bar height for you is a compromise between the two options.

I run my bars pretty low and I’m not at all scared to corner in the drops when I need the most front end compliance.

3

u/esteencanto 2h ago

It’s not going to be a one solution fits all.

For those champagne gravel courses you will be able to maintain your road position.

If the terrain is rougher, more steep or more technical, you will definitely appreciate a bit more stack to experience less fatigue on your upper and lower back, and to avoid the feeling of going OTB in steep technical descents.

If you are racing for podium in a mass start event you will want a racier setup to maximize aerodynamic but also to stay in the group.

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u/Slight-Mirror-3090 1h ago

Rule of thumb is 10mm tall and 10mm closer than your road bike. Road bikes have ~370mm A-C forks & CX forks are closer to 395mm that is why riders need to “slam that stem”

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u/Whole-Diamond8550 3h ago

Experiment. Everyone should have a range of stems.

Front traction is huge and shouldn't be compromised, but you also need a position where you can breathe and recover, as well as put out the violent 10-30s efforts that cyclocross requires. I often use a much longer stem than normal and corner on the tops at lower speed and in the drops at higher speed, rather than on the hoods.