I Tried Riding Like the Pros

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

As some may know, Pro road bike riders often will sport a small frame and then use an extra long stem to make up the difference to give them the best weight and leverage ratio. So I came across this 50cm Vilano Shadow bike and built it into a custom road bike. It was incredibly light! The lightest bike I've ever ridden. I could definitely feel the advantage of slicing through the wind and uphill. I was running 26c at first, but then moved to an Attack/Force style, running a 32c in the back (which provides acceleration gain). I tried a long stem at first, but I couldn't really get down on that, so I was running a pretty short stem at 80mm instead. Despite the gains, there were some takeaways that made me feel like this style just wasn't for me. I hate to say this, because I did enjoy the challenge so much, with the ability to really push my limits to the max. I loved that, and I would probably ride like this eternally if it wasn't for some other factors I just can't barter with.

One of these factors was the hyper-extended shrimp position that this style put me in. The cramped feel enabled me to torque down pretty hard. I felt like a rowing machine in the way I grip the hoods and pull back at them to put the torque down forward. However, I find it's difficult to maintain the same position too long, and find myself changing a bit too much. Running a ring as large as I am, which is a monstrous 54T oval ring, you really just want to be able to lay down the watts and not have to worry about your position. No size of stem I experimented with, short or long, allowed me to do this. This led to a lot of troublesome maneuverability, which thankfully I am very skilled at handling, but still would flag as an aspect I really shouldn't barter with. I absolutely do not trust drivers, and need to be able to freely hop between the road and sidewalk as necessary. As far as overall performance, I can't say that this style really boosted me more than other bikes I've ridden in style. I rode a GT Tempest on 700c, which was a bit heavier, and was able to reach similar speeds on 32c tires. That was a flat bar style and a bullhorn style build, not even drop bar, with the significant aero gain.

In closing, I loved the bike and feel the experience was precious, but I found it to be really silly in ways, and I can't say I would ever recommend it to anyone. I think bigger benefits to seek are a good pair of tires, deeper rims, and a larger chainring with a wider-range cassette in the back to make up for it just the bare minimum necessary for efficiency. I kinda wonder where pros are coming from when they recommend this. Does anyone have any personal victory stories or insights to share about this style of riding?

[rydabent]

For the average cyclist, riding like the pros is rather dumb. They are racing, while the average cyclist ride for fun and exercise. Ride the best tool (bike) that supports your kind of riding. For me, I have found that a tadpole trike is best, it provides comfort, view, and ease of use.

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

I can totally respect that. I honestly think the experience on those bikes looks otherworldly. That's the kind of experience that drives my love for cycling. Maybe one day I will out a bike like that. I certainly wouldn't want to commute like that though. They're very bulky and not as agile as I'd like to be when riding, to move to stay out of other's way.

[GirishH]

@ReapThaWhirlwind, I love how technical and geeky you—and some of the other contributors here—get. I say that with a lot of respect. :-)

Are you an engineer, or were one?

I really love how you approached this project. It's crazy—in the best way—that you thought of it, went ahead and executed it, and then came back to give a detailed debrief on the experience. :-)

Love it.

Keep that curiosity alive!

(06-18-2026, 10:11 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote:  As some may know, Pro road bike riders often will sport a small frame and then use an extra long stem to make up the difference to give them the best weight and leverage ratio. So I came across this 50cm Vilano Shadow bike and built it into a custom road bike. It was incredibly light! The lightest bike I've ever ridden. I could definitely feel the advantage of slicing through the wind and uphill. I was running 26c at first, but then moved to an Attack/Force style, running a 32c in the back (which provides acceleration gain). I tried a long stem at first, but I couldn't really get down on that, so I was running a pretty short stem at 80mm instead. Despite the gains, there were some takeaways that made me feel like this style just wasn't for me. I hate to say this, because I did enjoy the challenge so much, with the ability to really push my limits to the max. I loved that, and I would probably ride like this eternally if it wasn't for some other factors I just can't barter with.

One of these factors was the hyper-extended shrimp position that this style put me in. The cramped feel enabled me to torque down pretty hard. I felt like a rowing machine in the way I grip the hoods and pull back at them to put the torque down forward. However, I find it's difficult to maintain the same position too long, and find myself changing a bit too much. Running a ring as large as I am, which is a monstrous 54T oval ring, you really just want to be able to lay down the watts and not have to worry about your position. No size of stem I experimented with, short or long, allowed me to do this. This led to a lot of troublesome maneuverability, which thankfully I am very skilled at handling, but still would flag as an aspect I really shouldn't barter with. I absolutely do not trust drivers, and need to be able to freely hop between the road and sidewalk as necessary. As far as overall performance, I can't say that this style really boosted me more than other bikes I've ridden in style. I rode a GT Tempest on 700c, which was a bit heavier, and was able to reach similar speeds on 32c tires. That was a flat bar style and a bullhorn style build, not even drop bar, with the significant aero gain.

In closing, I loved the bike and feel the experience was precious, but I found it to be really silly in ways, and I can't say I would ever recommend it to anyone. I think bigger benefits to seek are a good pair of tires, deeper rims, and a larger chainring with a wider-range cassette in the back to make up for it just the bare minimum necessary for efficiency. I kinda wonder where pros are coming from when they recommend this. Does anyone have any personal victory stories or insights to share about this style of riding?

[Flowrider]

I think what you did was fantastic!

We should ALWAYS be trying something different, something that challenges us.

The daily benefits are huge.
and
The psychological benefits are amazing!

If you want to know why, check out what neuroplasticity is and the mental benefits

[Mr. Beanz]

I tried a smaller frame once, meaning a short period of time. An older steel Bianchi frame about 6 cm smaller than my norm of 58. I felt powerful on it but overall, a 40 mile ride, I felt cramped.

I had a bud that had a really nice high end bike at the time. I dropped the hammer leaving him behind, He said it was kind of cool because I looked like I was on that smaller frame dominating the bike. Felt cool for the moment, or a few but overall, the bike was not as comfortable as I would like climbing mountain roads where I would need to open up my chest cavity for better breathing ability.

Wondering why your saddle is so far angled forward. I've seen very few riders that do it for comfort but doesn't seem normal. I had mine slightly angled down but it actually rolled me onto the uncomfy zone. I tilted it back slightly and it actually feels better placing me in a position that suits my sit bones much better.

[SPINMAN]

@ReapThaWhirlwind what's your "normal" size/fit? I can get into a 54 or 56 and be comfortable with a few minor stem and saddle adjustments, but a 50 would just be cramped. I don't think the weight advantage is worth it. I would be lighter just leaving one water bottle at home, but great build! With the rim brakes, it must have cost very little. Get a full disc aero-rim on the back, 60t ring, and it's TT time! HA!

[meamoantonio]

I think your saddle is tilted down bro, might want to level it , also try bike fitting to actually get the position which produces most watts for your body type? yes it is rather a bit much in terms of expenses but I guarantee working with one will work wonders , everyone is different and riding like a shrimp may not be the best way to bring out the maximum amount of watts our bodies can produce

[GirishH]

@meamoantonio...:-)

Based on the original post, @ReapThaWhirlwind was simply trying a smaller bike to see if he could get some "benefits" by riding a smaller frame..like the "pro" riders..

And, I doubt that @ReapThaWhirlwind only owns/rides one bike..:-)

Doe those who have many bikes, do you "fit" each bike you get?

(06-29-2026, 07:52 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  I think your saddle is tilted down bro, might want to level it , also try bike fitting to actually get the position which produces most watts for your body type? yes it is rather a bit much in terms of expenses but I guarantee working with one will work wonders , everyone is different and riding like a shrimp may not be the best way to bring out the maximum amount of watts our bodies can produce

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

My saddle is tilted down...because...Velominati.

lol

Reminder that I am a bike commuter. I don't know a vehicle. My saddle has to be tilted down like that to alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. My body forms a triangle with the bike. My body weight needs to be back against the saddle, and not bearing directly down onto it, which then cuts off circulation.

I have been experimenting with a few different configurations. I don't want to just get rid of the bike. What I did most recently was reduced the stem all the way down to a 60mm. This brings the cockpit very close to me, and enables more dynamic steering, but I can't say that it exactly fixes everything. I does help with confidence when riding in the drops, which is very important. The biggest factor I found for increasing confidence in the drops was using these VP Mirage pedals over the Deity TMAC pedals that I have. The VP pedals have a large surface space, that gives me a lot of leverage and balance when down in the drops. Since I don't wear clip-in pedals, and feel that's too dangerous for my riding, this is very important.

I am a strong believer in gritting out the adjustment trial of a new bike. It doesn't matter what you change, when components or fit change the activation on your muscles, you need to accept the struggle as a part of development. That is not a problem for me. I have been very tenacious to welcome the challenge it gives my muscles, because I am hungry for every bit of new strength that I can develop. This is the best way to look at things, if I might inspire anyone to do the same, and not give up, but welcome the challenge you're presented with. That weakness must be culled from your being—and there is only one path to doing this—onwards to victory.

I have mostly decided to convert this bike to a speed commuter with a flat bar. I will put something together with drop bars in another project. At worst, I will keep trying to adjust aspects of this bike until it feels close enough to perfection to settle on. Make no mistake, I have enjoyed this experience greatly. I do see a lot of the ups in this schematic. I just can't quite say it's truly superior to other styles I've ridden thus far.

[meamoantonio]

(06-29-2026, 07:37 PM)GirishH Wrote:  @meamoantonio...:-)

Based on the original post, @ReapThaWhirlwind was simply trying a smaller bike to see if he could get some "benefits" by riding a smaller frame..like the "pro" riders..

And, I doubt that @ReapThaWhirlwind only owns/rides one bike..:-)

Doe those who have many bikes, do you "fit" each bike you get?

(06-29-2026, 07:52 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  I think your saddle is tilted down bro, might want to level it , also try bike fitting to actually get the position which produces most watts for your body type? yes it is rather a bit much in terms of expenses but I guarantee working with one will work wonders , everyone is different and riding like a shrimp may not be the best way to bring out the maximum amount of watts our bodies can produce

oooh I see, thanks for the correction @GirishH ! interesting to see how this is working for you @ReapThaWhirlwind , intriguing stuff!

Yes and no, some bikes are just for fun that you don't have to dial in your fit, but some aspects usually come with you from your bike fit like for example Saddle choices from bike fit, I usually use one type and brand of Saddle for all my bikes regardless if it is performance based or purely FUN purposes, I found that I enjoy riding a Specialized Power Saddle at 155mm the most so all my bikes even if they ar not Specialized are running this saddle , brought extras too just in case they suddenly decide to stop making them haha