stems what is the difference

[jackthelad]

does fitting 70mm , 80mm or 90mm stems make any difference to te handling or feel of drop handlebars

 

[mr Mag00]

simple answer yes. obviously they increase the reach required to get to the bars and subsequenty your grip on hoods, top or drops. also depending on the angle of the stem too will also make incremental changes to the above too. plenty to thinkabout.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

does fitting 70mm , 80mm or 90mm stems make any difference to te handling or feel of drop handlebars

I normally run 80 or 90 stems, I've got short arms. When I changed the stem on my Verenti and dropped it to 90 it made no difference to the handling, just made me more comfortable. Some people recon it affects the handling but I've never noticed any difference when I've fitted a short stem.

 

[rockyraccoon]

I changed mine from 110 to 90 mm. No difference to the handling.

 

[smokeysmoo]

IMO the stem length is a critical measurement for bike fit. I wouldn't fit a shorter/longer stem for any other reason than fit.

 

[Norm]

It will make a difference to the handling, moving your weight onto and off the front wheel will affect the grip, stability, and feedback you get. Whether anyone would feels the differences in normal riding is another question, though. I am pretty sure that I wouldn't.

It would also affect the "feel" as you are moving your hands forward 20mm and I think you will notice that over a longer ride.

 

[jackthelad]

thanks for the replies guys greatly appreciated.I was going to fit an 80mm 30 degree stem to a boardman comp. I have already put a 90mm stem with 10 degrees and still feel a bit stretched.I have the same stem on a giant defy 2 and feel ok,but noticed the top tube on the boardman was longer than the defy 2 .
I have the saddle correctly positioned and cant get any more forward movement from the saddle.would fitting this stem be ok for average joe cycling

jackthelad

 

[Norm]

I'd say that the new angle would have more impact than 10mm shorter but, whether it is good or bad, whether you think it feels different or not, whether it is better, worse or even "ok" is something that no-one could gauge over the internet.

The good news, though, is that new stems are relatively cheap and, if you only fit it and use it for a short test ride, you should be able to get most of your money back selling it.

Plan B would be to buy a secondhane one that someone else has tried and not got on with.

Plan C would be to ask a friendly LBS if you could borrow one (my LBS has spares) to see if it works out for you.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Plan D would be to buy an adjustable one to help figuring out.

This might also help you visualise differences.

 

[jackthelad]

Norm you always get it spot on,was looking at the ritchey at £30 maybe only half of that on ebay.As you say not a lot of cash to try things out.

Basically posted to find out other views of the shorter stems,the lbs said not to go below 90mm as it affects the handling of the bike,but as some one earlier stated can us simple mortals really tell the difference?.

 

[Norm]

I had a bit of a facepalm moment thinking about this whilst out riding earlier this afternoon.

What stem do you have and is it reversible? That could / would be an easy first step (and I thought about it because it's just what I did on my road bike, increasing comfort hugely by bringing the bars up and back about 20mm ).

If your stem isn't reversible, you can easily get a feel for the effects anyway by moving your hands from the bends to the hoods to the top of the shifters. On my bike, moving between those moves the hands forwards by about 80mm and the difference in handling, feel and flightiness is noticeable.

 

[Banjo]

Norm you always get it spot on,was looking at the ritchey at £30 maybe only half of that on ebay.As you say not a lot of cash to try things out.

Basically posted to find out other views of the shorter stems,the lbs said not to go below 90mm as it affects the handling of the bike,but as some one earlier stated can us simple mortals really tell the difference?.

When I first got my Scott road bike I felt uncomfortably stretched so purchased a short raised angle stem. After a while I refitted the original stem but flipped it to gain a bit of height a few more months I put it back on right way up and the bike feels a perfect fit for me now.

I would either persevere and see if it starts to feel right or if you do change for a shorter or raised angle then keep the original as you may want it again later. I could definitely feel the steering more twitchy with the shorter stem.With the original on it feels more like moving the bars to one side than actually turning them.Much nicer feel on a fast bend.

 

[jackthelad]

thanks norm I have the stems on the bikes already reversed to give maximum height.On the boardman with specialized 90mm stem with 10 degrees,I found myself still turning the bars slightly to try and give more height and bring the hoods closer ,so thought the 80mm with 30 degree would sort me out.The bike is the perfect size and I have sorted everything else seat position correct plumbline to pedal so no more play left with the saddle,guess i must just have small arms

 

[Norm]

guess i must just have small arms

I have (relatively) long arms and body, dumpy legs and a large, ahem, gut (I should get a marketing firm involved to look at the way I phrase that!) and found a place to be comfortable.

We're all different and the bikes, as sold, are just a starting point for those who care about such things as precise fit, usually because they use their bikes as intended, racing, relaxing or spending long hours in the saddle.

The good news is that most of the small adjustments (saddle position, crank lengths, stem lengths etc) required are relatively cheap and easily reversible.

Also, as Banjo says, could it just be a matter of getting used to it? The move to drop bars took a few hundred miles for me, and only then did I switch saddles, tweak positions and ponder over flipping the stem, just for that last little bit of comfort.

 

[screenman]

Can you touch your toes?