big frame short stem vs. small frame long stem

[Mobi8]

Having a bit of a break down here.

I just bought a bike with a large frame and after riding it i have had bad back and triceps pain. I'm putting this down to my reach being too long.

Now, do I get a shorter stem on my large frame? Or get the frame a size smaller frame with a longer stem?

Has any one else had trouble with their reach? any advice is much appreciated

 

[midliferider]

what is your bike?

 

[Mobi8]

Giant Tcr Composite 2

 

[snailracer]

Considered toe overlap?

 

[midliferider]

What size did you buy? What is your height?
Do you think you can still change it?

 

[biggs682]

how long is exsisting stem ?

 

[steveindenmark]

I got a shorter stem and then turned it udside down which also lifted the bars higher as well as bringing them closer.

Steve

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I personally prefer smaller bikes, I'm right on the cusp of kids bikes and medium and I always take the smaller frame which works well for me.

 

[Kies]

I found the medium Sirrus too cramped and went for the large. After a few weeks, i felt stretched out even with the stem flipped. The answer came in a 60mm stem. perfect

 

[slowmotion]

If (1) the toe of your shoes clear the wheel when it's being steered in any direction, and (2) you can adjust the fore-aft position of the saddle relative to the pedal axle to suit your knee position when the crank is fully forward, you can pretty much sort out any reach/body angle position with your choice of stem and steerer tube spacers.

I very recently started riding a bike that is slightly smaller ( 2 cm frame size less) than my previous one, but which has exactly the same riding position due to saddle and stem adjustments. It feels a lot more frisky and fun.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Having a bit of a break down here.

I just bought a bike with a large frame and after riding it i have had bad back and triceps pain. I'm putting this down to my reach being too long.

Now, do I get a shorter stem on my large frame? Or get the frame a size smaller frame with a longer stem?

Has any one else had trouble with their reach? any advice is much appreciated

Really you're going to need to ride the smaller frame first. There is only so much adjustment that can be done with stems, yet none at all can be done to top tube length (a major often forgotten factor of bike sizing)

The difference in my 56 and 54 cm frames is actually only 11mm, but if that 11mm is ultimately the cause of pain, no stem in the world will cure the fact the bike is too big.

 

[Mobi8]

Thanks everyone for your advice. It sounds like it is easier to make a small bike "bigger" than a big bike "smaller".

So I think the more sensible option is to go with the smaller frame? Just one last question, what are the repercussions of riding a smaller frame, if any?

Thanks again!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

depends how smaller the frame is really. The next size down on my model of road bike drops to a 650c wheel base which was not what I wanted. But on my mtb dropping to the smaller frame meant I had to purchase a longer seat post because I could not raise it high enough to get to the right leg length.

 

[snailracer]

Thanks everyone for your advice. It sounds like it is easier to make a small bike "bigger" than a big bike "smaller"....

Maybe, but there is very little you can do about toe clearance to the front tyre, even worse if you put a mudguard on it. I would check for toe overlap first.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Overlap is really only an issue at low-no speed. Takes very little wheel movment to turn a bike, and even if turning a sharp corner, your outside foot really should be firmly planted bottom of pedal stroke anyway.