Kinesis Maxlight XC2

wilkij1975

Hi All

I've not long bought a Maxlight XC 2 and built it up with some new and some old parts and i'm having a bar and stem dilema. I'm currently using my old 130mm Easton stem and flat bars and some how it doesn't feel right, comfortable, but not right.
Would a shorter stem with some XC riser bars help? The only thing i'm worried about with a shorter stem is that i'm tall and its quite a short frame and I don't want to feel cramped.

Any help would be appreciated.

papasmurf.

in what way doesn't it feel right? is there any rise on the stem?

wilkij1975

Its hard to say how it doesn't feel right. Its not any thing in particular and it might be that i'm just not used to it yet. My previous bike was a Kona Cinder Cone which was quite long and at times un-comfortable for me.
My stem has 5° rise. Was thinking of going down to a 100mm or 110mm with the riser bars.

papasmurf.

could be many things, so you probably need to experiment, got any mates you can swap a stem or bars with to see, or use the classified to pick up something cheap, that way you can have a tinker with out spending loads on new stem and bars and still not have it right.

I'd defo give 110 a try to start, and you might find moving the saddle will help.

Dirtydog11

I would agree both the XC and XC 2 where designed with a shorter toptube than the XCPro which was designed as a race bike. The idea was to create a more relaxed ride.

You could always have a look on E- Bay for a cheap/shorter stem to try. You can always put it back on and sell it once you've settled on the right length.

wilkij1975

Thanks for the suggestions.
I think it might be that I feel like i'm too far over the front wheel with the long stem and I would hope a shorter stem would cure this. I don't want to end up feeling cramped on the bike though.