Lay back Seatpost / longer stem

James Latham

Which is the best way to go to get a bit more reach? I'm on a Rockhopper and looking for a racier position

Have looked at getting a Thomson 100mm 0deg stem or layback post

Any advice appreciated!

bomberesque

personally I would set up with the stem that gives you the handling you like then change the seatpost to suit the reach.

before dropping good money on a Thompson stem (and possibly finding it doesn't suit you) it's not a bad idea to buy either an adjustable stem or a selection of cheapies (or borrow them from mates / LBS) and see what suits you. I can't stand the feel of anything over about 80-90mm on any of my own bikes but that's me / the bikes I have, you could well be different.

changing the layback on the seatpost will change teh effective seat angle of your frame, but I really can't tell the difference when I do this, maybe because reach issues overawe the effect

dunker

does'nt the hopper already have a setback post on there? as a layback is pretty much the same. if you've got a good straight vertical angle from kneecap to pedal (at 3 o'clock driveside) than maybe a good idea just to try a longer stem?

James Latham

Can you tell me more about this angle? What am I looking for?

I was swaying more toward the stem as the front of the bike is already fairly light and I would imagine having the seat futher back would emphasise this problem

dunker

it's just a baseline angle that's recommended on some www's i read about for good cycling position, the kneecap and point of contact of the foot to pedal in the middle of the down stroke (3 o'clock) is close to vertical. if it's ahead of vertical then seat back a bit and vice versa. but if you ar'nt having any probs with your knees or backside then i'd not mess with it, try a longer stem first i reckon.

Steve_b77

James Latham wrote:

Can you tell me more about this angle? What am I looking for?

I was swaying more toward the stem as the front of the bike is already fairly light and I would imagine having the seat futher back would emphasise this problem

Ideally if you sit on your saddle with your feet on the pedals, cleats engaged or ball of foot directly over the axel of the pedal and your cranks parallel with the flat surface your bike is sat on.

You will be able to draw a vertical line from the indent on the outside of your knee to the axel of your pedal/ball of foot, this will give you a good starting point for saddle position.

Regarding stem length, the shorter teh stem the less stretched out you wil feel and the quicker the sttering will be.

supersonic

Try inverting the stem and a lower ride position.