Shorter stem required?

GHill
GHill Posts: 2,402
edited June 2009 in MTB buying advice
My Trek Fuel Ex 8 came with a 120 mm stem (7 degree rise, oversize clamp), I thought it looked a bit long in the shop but thought the Trek product manager would know better than me...

Anyway, the riding on my local mountain is almost exclusively singletrack with very few rocks or jumps, but features a lot of technical switchbacks (both up and down hill) and I'm starting to wish for sharper steering and to get my weight further back on some of the descents. So, I guess I should try a shorter stem.

My first instinct was to treat myself to something like a Hope stem, a Thompson 4x or maybe a Sunline V-One. But I'm not sure how short to go on the stem - I don't want it too short! I was thinking maybe I should try 90 mm?

If I'm experimenting somewhat, perhaps I shouldn't spend so much on the stem. I can get a Bontrager race lite in 90 mm for $50 from the LBS and it weighs 131 g. Seems like a good deal? This is the same stem that's already on there, just shorter.

Any other ideas?

Comments

  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    See if the LBS has any old ones knocking about which you can try. Then once your happy get something like a thomson.
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, trying is good as a 30mm difference can make a big change to set up!

    Personally I don't like spending more tha 25 quid on a stem - plenty of great options for that price, and lighter even than the one you suggest ie a Kooka race:

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KOOKA-X-RACE-STEM ... 7C294%3A50

    I have one on the Zaskar LE, is about 120g, very well made.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    Do you think a change of 30 mm is too much? Should I try a 100 mm stem first?

    RE: the Kooka, clamp needs to be oversized unfortunately, but any recommendations of cheap but decent stems would be appreciated. Ebay is a bit of a faff as I'm overseas.

    White in colour would be a bonus, but not essential.
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    I always measure my bike up before I change the cockpit.

    I measure from the back of the saddle to the end of the bars, the height of the bars from the ground, plus the height of the saddle from the ground.

    First you move the saddle forward try that out on a ride and see if it's OK, if the relationship between the bars and where you perch is right then remeasure, you now have a choice, buy a stem that is shorter by the difference of the two measurements or leave the saddle where it is.

    On the other hand if you still need the bars closer you have t least taken some of the guesswork out of the solution.

    Taking these measurements also helps when you buy a new bike or testing a potential new bike, you can have the changes made before you hand over the cash.

    I currently have a 40mm stem with 690mm wide 76mm rise bars and the the bars are 50mm higher than the saddle.
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    GHill wrote:
    Do you think a change of 30 mm is too much? Should I try a 100 mm stem first?

    RE: the Kooka, clamp needs to be oversized unfortunately, but any recommendations of cheap but decent stems would be appreciated. Ebay is a bit of a faff as I'm overseas.

    White in colour would be a bonus, but not essential.

    They do 'em oversized too - a few on ebay.

    Most stems I find do the job fine - just make sure it is for the intended cause ie XC, AM, DH. More money shaves weight off, but as demonstrated, good stems can be had for peanuts.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    Thanks. I think I'll slip out of the office this afternoon and see what the LBS has hanging around - might find a bargain.

    I would think an XC stem would definitely fit the bill here. I wonder if some marketing bod has come up with a "trail" stem yet :wink::lol:
  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    I recenty changed my stem 80mm stem to 60mm
    Made a hell of a differance
    Bought the Sun Line AM version

    Zero rise to counter act the rise from 140 to 160 fork
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    Decided my LBS is great. As long as I'm willing to trade in my current stem I can have any of the Bontrager ones up to the equivalent value for free. They'll also let me experiment, so I can try 100 mm first and then go higher/lower as needed.
  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    Bang on
  • Airienteer
    Airienteer Posts: 695
    GHill wrote:
    I wonder if some marketing bod has come up with a "trail" stem yet :wink::lol:

    Thats kinda what the Thomsons are. They're heavier than XC stems but a bit sronger, however probably not really up to downhill duties.
  • ads4
    ads4 Posts: 698
    I have just changed the 105mm Bontrager stem on my Hifi Pro as I felt over reached and my wrists were cramping. I bought a white Bontrager Race X lite 70mm stem and it has transformed the feel and fit of the bike :)
    Adam.

    Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

    Current ride - Yeti ASR 5a X0
  • M6TTF
    M6TTF Posts: 602
    My 08 ex7 came with a 90mm from factory, not sure why the 09s come with such long stems!
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    M6TTF wrote:
    My 08 ex7 came with a 90mm from factory, not sure why the 09s come with such long stems!

    Could be because I have the 21.5" model?

    Although my wife's ex 5.5 comes with a 110 mm stem (17.5" frame), so it does look like long stems are common this year.

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