Stem Length

trailblazer83
trailblazer83 Posts: 87
edited May 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Had my first ride and loved it but have decided a shorter stem may be needed. My bike is an 07 Zaskar expert. It handled well but it was a bit awkward at times when I was needing rapid response from the front end, eg avoiding boulders. I also have issues with realxing my arms, they are constantly streched to full length most of the time, would a shorter stem help loosen up a bit and relax my arms more?

Would shorter stem help with these issues?

Comments

  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    A shorter stem will certainly help to quicken up the steering, as will a wider bar. Fitting a shorter stem will also move your weight back further so you may find that the front feels lighter when climbing. You can combat this by moving your saddle slightly further forward.
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  • shin0r
    shin0r Posts: 555
    I recently changed from a 90mm stem to a 50mm for similar reasons to yourself; the cockpit felt a bit stretched. The steering is now sharper and the bike handles better on fast downhills because my weight can shift back easier. The downside is that the front of the bike is very light on the climbs. Overall I'm happy with the result.

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