Going shorter on Stem length: Advice?

Cycling is Forever

Just purchased a new road bike which came with a 110mm length stem.
I feel I would be more comfortable with a shorter stem i.e. reduce my reach to the handle bars.

My question is based on which shorter length to go for either 100mm or 90mm?
Is their any method for selecting the most suitable length? Or is it trial and error?

I can flip original stem also but I think it is only 6 degrees [Ritchey Comp] so idon't think it will make much difference in the reach and comfort, i may be wrong.

any tips

cheers

CiF

Chaz.Harding

Pretty much trial and error. Borrow your mates stems aswell, untill you find one thats te right fit. Saves you buying hundreds of the buggers!!!

STEFANOS4784

+1, and don't listen too much about handling difference, i changed from 120 to 90 and only notice it's a little bit twitchy at slow speeds in traffic

nielsamd

I am long-leg+short-torso and also go down from the usual stock stem 110-120mm lengths to 90-100mms.
If you are already at 110 I would first go down to 90 to notice a difference.
Make sure you are first happy with saddle fore-aft position with regards to your knees in the crank/pedal rotation. Only then should you re-size the stem.

Whatever the `truth' is, if you are more comfortable then you will be better able to `cope' (if you use that word) with any handling differences anyway. And thats all it is.. a difference.
You can never have enough stems (and saddles) to play with, in my opinion, since you will vary your cycling comfort zones with different bikes over the years.

keef66

Do try flipping the stem, it can make quite a difference. 6 deg down to 6 deg up is still a 12 deg change.

I too suffer from long legs / short torso so I have a high saddle on a small frame so the top tube isn't too long. I use a 90mm stem flipped upwards, and still my arms are nearly locked straight when riding on the hoods.

teagar

Does it feel like the handlebars are too far away?

I bought a shorter stem (so much shorter than anybody elses. Just as well I have a huge penis really), and it really made it an awful lot more comfortable.

I still have a reasonably flat back and I still get nice and low on the bike, since the stem isn't pointing to the heavens.

Then again, the original stem was also completely flat.

Do sort out your saddle position before you try though.