What is the upright riding position?

Question

What are the advantages and counter arguments for it? What other types of riding positions are there? Is the position determined by the frame of the bicycle?

Answer 1

When I bought my Specialized serris comp, it came standard with the down turned handlebars. I had them changed to upright handlebars because I have some carpel tunnel in my hands and the uprights put a lot less pressure on my hands. My husband also changed his out too because he has a bad back and so sitting upright is less pull on his back. The disadvantage is it slows you down some because of the wind Resistance. I would try out both and then decide. Your frame really has nothing to do with the position of the handlebars as far as I know. The frame is fitted to you according to your leg length.

Answer 2

There are different levels of Upright riding. There are "Comfort" bikes with 26" wheel, Hybrids with 700C wheels, and Comfort Road with a 700C wheel.

All basically take the pressure off of your back, neck, wrists, arms and hands and move your weight to your saddle which has a suspension seatpost on most.

The disadvantage is that you aren't in the most optimal aero position and will have to exert more energy to move the bike. You also will lose a little control over the bike but if you don't ride aggressively, this isn't an issue. If you do ride aggresively, don't ride upright...

Other positions would basically be an aero position or aggresive position on road and the normal (un-named to me) Mountain Bike position. All require you to ride a little more stretched out and lower over the bike to allow easier handling.

Go to a Bike Shop to get properly fitted on your bike. Most will do it free with purchase but some really get into it and give you print outs of your position and charge anywhere from $50 to $200 to be "fit."