stems
formerlyknownasbonj
Posts: 483
rode down a nice technical little trail the other day that I hadn't been down before, and repeated it today obviously my memory of how much i'd enjoyed it gave me too much confidence, and while obviously going too fast I made bad line choices and came off three times, and each time my handlebars had twisted round i.e. weren't perpendicular to the wheel and had to twist them back.
Is this ok, or is it a sign of a bad stem? I'm thinking it's ok as it's a designed point of weakness on a bike, in that it's better it twists there than something else (including me) actually breaks, but would welcome any opinions. It's a syntace F139, and has got two bolts which aren't opposing ones such as are on some stems.
Also how much of a difference does having a short(er) stem make to the handling of the bike? My syntace is a fairly long XC-ish stem, I'd guess it's about 110mm, but I'm thinking I might be better off with something like an 80mm one or less even. I get this feeling because I feel I often understeer a bit too much, and now i've got used to my bike i'm starting to analyse my riding and think about which areas need more work, but if replacing a part would improve my riding I'll look towards doing that.
Has anyone else made that switch and if so what are your experiences?
Is this ok, or is it a sign of a bad stem? I'm thinking it's ok as it's a designed point of weakness on a bike, in that it's better it twists there than something else (including me) actually breaks, but would welcome any opinions. It's a syntace F139, and has got two bolts which aren't opposing ones such as are on some stems.
Also how much of a difference does having a short(er) stem make to the handling of the bike? My syntace is a fairly long XC-ish stem, I'd guess it's about 110mm, but I'm thinking I might be better off with something like an 80mm one or less even. I get this feeling because I feel I often understeer a bit too much, and now i've got used to my bike i'm starting to analyse my riding and think about which areas need more work, but if replacing a part would improve my riding I'll look towards doing that.
Has anyone else made that switch and if so what are your experiences?
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Comments
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If you feel like you have understeer and feel stretched slightly when riding you should consider a shorter stem , i like to have a medium length stem with a riser bar so that my back feels less bent over, it also helps alot when doing technical descents because you will have much better control over the bike.___________________________________________________________
My Marin Hawkhill 2007 - http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1382583/0 -
I get this problem. My bolts are done up ridiculously tight and it can still twist on the steerer if I bail.
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I think it's because it is only friction that's holding it.mmm_pie wrote:I get this problem. My bolts are done up ridiculously tight and it can still twist on the steerer if I bail.
Normally it's the ground, but if it was your stomach or leg that fell on the bar you'd rather it twist round than not!0
