shorter stem length - currently 90mm but reach too long.

[400bhp]

I need some help.

I've bought my wife a Triban 5A (54 cm) which is about the right height. I've adjusted the seat fore and aft position such that the knee is aligned with the 9 o'clock position with the pedal axle.

However, the reach is a bit on the long side.

What's a realistic and safe reduced stem length size to go down to? I was thinking 70mm but is that too short and will upset the ride?

 

[neilb1906]

Its down to what your wife finds comfortable really. How much is the 90mm too long?

 

[ianrauk]

Buy both 70mm and 80mm and she how she gets on with them. Return or sell the one you dont need.

 

[400bhp]

Its down to what your wife finds comfortable really. How much is the 90mm too long?

That's the thing - I'm struggling to measure it (I don't have my wife's eyes).

It's a new bike and a new sport for her (road bike) so she doesn't really know what is comfortable or not, but I'm trying to avoid injury.

 

[400bhp]

Buy both 70mm and 80mm and she how she gets on with them. Return or sell the one you dont need.

Thanks Ian. You think 70mm would be OK handling wise? My unscientific but educated guess would be that stem length and stability is all about getting used to the setup. I could well be wrong though.

 

[potsy]

I seem to remember somebody on here mentioning they had a 60mm stem, shorter = more twitchy I assume.

 

[BimblingBee]

70 will be fine. You get people talking about twitchy handling etc but the reality is like you say ie you get used to it and if you cant ride in a straight line to start off with then stem length won't make a load of difference. Better to be wobbly and comfy than wobbly and in pain!

 

[e-rider]

+/- 10mm from the factory size is usually optimal for the average person - however, some people are odd sizes and require more!!!

 

[ianrauk]

It should be fine. At the end of the day you are only talking about 2cms. As someone has already said, won't take long to get used to.

 

[potsy]

Is it worth flipping the stem first?

 

[ColinJ]

How about flipping the current stem? That has the effect of bringing the bars back a bit, and decreasing the drop to the bars which some people (including me) struggle with. Bike stem calculator is useful to see what effect flipping has vs shorter stems.

I've flipped the 110 mm stems on both of my road bikes. I could use 100 mm unflipped, but then the drop is a bit too much for me.

 

[ColinJ]

Aaargh - beaten to it again!

 

[400bhp]

Yeah, guess that could help.

Cheers lads, will give that a go

 

[400bhp]

Then, if still too short, will buy a 70mm and go from there.

Guess moving the hoods up could help too?

 

[potsy]

Guess moving the hoods up could help too?

Have done this with mine today, just gives it a slight more upright feel, thought I'd gone a bit too far the other way at first but it felt 'right' by the time I'd done a few miles