Hope Stem (Advice Needed Please)

gurus5000
gurus5000 Posts: 20
edited March 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hi Everyone,

I need some advice about buying a Hope Stem I want to know what are the differences between the 90mm and 110mm e.g. what benefits do you get from a shorter stem and also the 10 degree or 0 degree choices. Again what are the benefits of each of the differing degrees you can purchase.

Thanks in advance :D

Comments

  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    gurus5000 wrote:
    what are the differences between the 90mm and 110mm

    Approximately 20mm.
    gurus5000 wrote:
    and also the 10 degree or 0 degree choices.

    Give or take 10 degrees

    Well, someone had to do it, it might as well be me!

    Serious answer, there's no one perfect stem for all bikes and all riders- what sort of bike is it going on? Angle basically affects bar height- a higher angle raises (or lowers, if inverted) the bars. And length can be used to tune the steering response or to some extent to compensate for an undersized cockpit.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • gurus5000
    gurus5000 Posts: 20
    It is going on a Marin Eldridge Grade Hard Tail with easton riser bars.

    What would you recommend

    It is mainly xc use trails etc.

    Thanks
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Hmm, to be honest it's not a bike I'm at all familiar with. Googled the spec and it seems to come with a fairly nice FSA stem as standard... The question to ask yourself is, would you like to change the ride? Does it feel cramped? Wheelie-prone? Does the wheel wander on climbing?
    Uncompromising extremist
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    On an Eldridge Grade, you wouldn't want to go over 100mm and not less than 80mm as the shorter the stem gets the twitchier it is to steer on a 100mm fork. So... 90mm would be a nice length.

    Rise is personal of the stem (as is the length) but given the geometry of the frame (which year is it?) 90mm should be fine with a riser, even 0 degree rise.

    I ride a Indian Fire Trail (2007) and I run a 90mm zero degree rise. I am of average proportions and 5.11" / 6"

    As before it's a personal thing, above is what works for me on my Marin
  • gurus5000
    gurus5000 Posts: 20
    Thanks for your replies it is a 2007 bike but I was looking at the 90mm one so I think I will go for this one. How do you find your indian fire trail? :D
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    Rides like a dream, fast, agile and like s*** off the proverbial shovel.

    Not much left of the original spec now, frame, forks and headset. The rest of it has been upgraded!

    90mm on an 07 is a safe option methinks! :wink:

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