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Stem Length

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  • January 10, 2012 at 2:56 pm #14767
    Gkam84

    Without spoiling another thread, i just saw an interesting post by Dave

    [quote=dave_atkinson]Most of the pros are on 130mm (and even 140mm) stems[/quote]

    So just out of interest, what stem length are you riding with?

    I’m currently running a 30mm, this is just for personal preference and not because my bike doesn’t fit, when i had it fitted, it was a 110mm stem, but after trying various sizes, i’m comfy and feel i have much more control with my tiny 30mm 😀

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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  • January 25, 2012 at 10:51 pm #661025
    0
    notfastenough

    Hmm, fraid I am indeed a
    Hmm, fraid I am indeed a new-fangled kind of guy, thanks though!

    January 13, 2012 at 11:35 am #661023
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    nick_rearden

    notfastenough wrote:To Nick

    notfastenough wrote:
    To Nick Rearden:
    100mm that needs changing to 110mmm for me – wanna swap?! :D

    If it’s an old-school 1″ quill road stem you’re after, you could be on for a deal but I suspect it’s a new-fangled direct clampy thing you’ll be wanting?

    January 13, 2012 at 11:27 am #661021
    0
    notfastenough

    To Nick Rearden:
    100mm that
    To Nick Rearden:
    100mm that needs changing to 110mmm for me – wanna swap?! 😀

    January 13, 2012 at 8:49 am #661019
    0
    joemmo

    stem length is only part of
    stem length is only part of the equation (unless you use flat bars or only ride the tops) you have to consider the bar dimensions in as well. A compact bar might be about 80mm from the centre to the apex of the bend, a more traditional drop bar could be over 100mm.

    FWIW – road 100mm stem + 80mm reach , cx 100/70, mtb 80/0. me=5’10 long back, shortish arms.

    January 12, 2012 at 9:18 pm #661017
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    bikecellar

    mr_fox wrote:bikecellar

    mr_fox wrote:
    bikecellar wrote:
    To further confuse the issue, as you get older you become shorter, I used to be 5ft 9 now 40yrs on I am 5ft 7 1/2 I think it has something to do with one’s spine, so that being correct it would be the upper body and reach affected, so by the time I am 100 perhaps I will be riding a bike with a 50mm stem instead of 100mm :/

    No you won’t – you will buy(beg/borrow) a bike that fits with regards to length / stretch . Everyone seems afraid to say, but a road bike with a 50mm or less stem with the geometries and angles involved, must be horrible – 30mm/40mm what?? I am all in favour of the each to their own philosophy, however……..


    If I am still riding at 100 yrs old I will not give a flying f..k about stem length 😉

    January 12, 2012 at 7:55 pm #661015
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    Raleigh

    Gkam84 wrote:Raleigh

    Gkam84 wrote:
    Raleigh wrote:
    For anybody who is interested, I just read on the internet that Mark Cavendish uses a 49cm bike. I thought that was small.

    Not really, here is a general size guide, bikes vary from manufacturer, so he could be spot on being 5ft 9

    50cm 5ft 6 – 5ft 11

    My frame is probably too big for me, 55cm, although I think that a lot of other riders the same height as me in the Youth Category A peleton seem to be using the same size. Investigation!

    January 12, 2012 at 6:21 pm #661013
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    Cooks

    Mark Cavendish’s stem is
    Mark Cavendish’s stem is probably wider than it is long.

    January 12, 2012 at 10:53 am #661011
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    Gkam84

    mr_fox wrote:
    Everyone seems

    mr_fox wrote:

    Everyone seems afraid to say, but a road bike with a 50mm or less stem with the geometries and angles involved, must be horrible – 30mm/40mm what?? I am all in favour of the each to their own philosophy, however……..

    No-one is afraid to say it, because its untrue.

    I’m more than happy with my set up, running a 40mm suits my riding style just fine

    January 12, 2012 at 8:25 am #661009
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    Bikeylikey

    It used to be said that to
    It used to be said that to get the correct stem length you should sight down towards the front hub when sitting in the saddle with hands on the bars (can’t remember whether it was tops or drops, maybe it’s all the same). If it’s right the hub should be hidden from your sight behind the bar tops.
    Maybe that method has gone out of fashion? Maybe because everyone is so different in their preferences? I always go on calculating around 100mm stem for traditional frames, 110 or 115 for current style compact frames. I think that means I’ve got the right size frame for me.

    January 12, 2012 at 12:21 am #661007
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    velocodger

    Bike racers favor an aero
    Bike racers favor an aero riding style which may not be the best position for recreational cyclists. Race bikes are generally as small as possible, as racers don’t need tall head tubes and want the frames to be light and stiff, not necessarily comfortable. Over the years I’ve gone to a bigger bike. I like the feel of being “between the wheels” that a longer top tube gives me, as opposed to being “over” them. The stems I use are shorter, around 100MM or so. I don’t need to put a bunch of dorky looking spacers under my stem, either. A bigger bike means I have a taller head tube, another reason I don’t need dorky spacers. To each his own -but- I do believe one’s riding setup should reflect the actual riding style, not some fantasy of racing like a Tour rider.

    January 11, 2012 at 11:49 pm #661005
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    mr_fox

    bikecellar wrote:To further

    bikecellar wrote:
    To further confuse the issue, as you get older you become shorter, I used to be 5ft 9 now 40yrs on I am 5ft 7 1/2 I think it has something to do with one’s spine, so that being correct it would be the upper body and reach affected, so by the time I am 100 perhaps I will be riding a bike with a 50mm stem instead of 100mm :/

    No you won’t – you will buy(beg/borrow) a bike that fits with regards to length / stretch . Everyone seems afraid to say, but a road bike with a 50mm or less stem with the geometries and angles involved, must be horrible – 30mm/40mm what?? I am all in favour of the each to their own philosophy, however……..

    January 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm #661003
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    The _Kaner

    Double post….
    Double post….

    January 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm #661001
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    The _Kaner

    Started on a 90mm stem (XS
    Started on a 90mm stem (XS frame Ribble- I believe is 44cm/ slope top tube) ended up with a 110mm it
    is a lot better. On my Kona(47cm) it’s a 90mm stem, seen no reason to change..bar is a wee bit narrow mind you…only 400mm

    January 11, 2012 at 6:14 pm #660999
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    Gkam84

    bikecellar wrote:To further

    bikecellar wrote:
    To further confuse the issue, as you get older you become shorter, I used to be 5ft 9 now 40yrs on I am 5ft 7 1/2 I think it has something to do with one’s spine, so that being correct it would be the upper body and reach affected, so by the time I am 100 perhaps I will be riding a bike with a 50mm stem instead of 100mm :/

    God help me then, I’ll have to be using back to front stem’s, i’m only 27 year, fitted a 110mm but prefer my 40mm

    January 11, 2012 at 4:53 pm #660997
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    bikecellar

    To further confuse the issue,
    To further confuse the issue, as you get older you become shorter, I used to be 5ft 9 now 40yrs on I am 5ft 7 1/2 I think it has something to do with one’s spine, so that being correct it would be the upper body and reach affected, so by the time I am 100 perhaps I will be riding a bike with a 50mm stem instead of 100mm :/

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