Shorter stem?

shefbiker

Hi

Can anyone tell me what the effect of fitting a shorter stem is on the bike handling? I want to reduce the reach, but keep the same height, so i'll need to get a shorter steeper stem...

Also, when you buy a stem, is the length quoted horizontal or slope distance?

Thanks

supersonic

Along its length. But you are correct in thinking the 'effective' length will change.

Do you have any scope to raise the stem on the steerer with spacers?

shefbiker

Not really. My primary aim is to reduce the reach slightly, but I don't want to lose height as a consequence...

On the length/angle thing, so i'm right in thinking that a 100mm 10degree stem is effectively longer than a 100mm 20degree stem?

Johnny Napalm

So how is the length of a stem measured? Is it along its entire length from end to end?

supersonic

Centre to centre. Or centre of bars, down the stem to the middle of the fork steerer:



Blue line!

Johnny Napalm

Cheers, Super!

cjw

Don't worry about height change, keep same angle. I've just done the trig and for a 6 degree angle at 100mm going to 6 deg 80mm results in a height drop of only 2mm.

cjw

Oh... and it'll make the steering response sharper (or twitchier if it's already sharp).

shin0r

I went from a 100mm to a 90mm and then to a 50mm stem with a 25% rise. I find this muhc more comfortable (no more backache!) The bike is more twitchy going uphill as my weight is naturally further back, but it handles brilliantly on downhills now.