MTB Stem Lengh??

hardrockrich

Hi all,
This is my first post so please be gentle!!
My wife and i are just getting into riding again and just bought ourselves new bikes. I have a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc and i find the stem a little too short as the front wheel tends to lift on steep uphill rides. I wanted to know how the lengh of a stem is measured? Is it from the centre of the steerer to the centre of the handle bar clamp?(hope that is clear?)
Thanks
Rich.

daniel_b

Hi Rich,

the front lifting might also be because you don;t have enough weight over the front of the bike.

Mine did this too, but my bike has 3 spacers under the stem and the stem is set to have the upward tilt.

Before changing stem, I would be inclined to either flip your stem (easiest), or move a spacer from below to above your stem - assuming your bike has spacers of course!

I did this on my bike, and it has helped a lot, before I was sitting quite upright with the majority of my weight on the saddle, and less on the bars - now it feels more equal, and I feel it handles better, it definitely lifts a lot less up hills.

Dan

Chaka Ping

Try moving the saddle forward on its rails a bit too?

aphex2k

shorter stem will stop the front end rising so much, but also quicken the steering.

try borrowing a stem off someone to test, before purchasing one - helps get the best feel.

S_J_P

A quick 'n' dirty guide to stem length (and frame size) is to place your elbow on the front edge of the saddle nose. Your outstretched fingers should be between the steerer top-cap and the center of the stem.

Lifting the front wheel does sound as though you're either sitting too far back, or too upright though. As has already been said, moving the saddle forward a little, and reducing the bar height should help.

Before you go moving the steerer spacers and/or the stem, make sure you go to Park Tools webby and read up on preloading the headset bearings. It'd not difficult, but it is important!

aphex2k

S_J_P wrote:

A quick 'n' dirty guide to stem length (and frame size) is to place your elbow on the front edge of the saddle nose. Your outstretched fingers should be between the steerer top-cap and the center of the stem.

Lifting the front wheel does sound as though you're either sitting too far back, or too upright though. As has already been said, moving the saddle forward a little, and reducing the bar height should help.

Before you go moving the steerer spacers and/or the stem, make sure you go to Park Tools webby and read up on preloading the headset bearings. It'd not difficult, but it is important!

Doing this wont help you decide what length stem to choose, as the center cap is in the same place, regardless of the stem length!