Stems

thehairs1970

Just bought a boardman bike but due to enormous legs and shorter body, I feel I have to lean quite far forward. Any suggestions for a budget lightweight 80mm stem.

Martyn

softlad

FSA OS190 - only about £20 from Wiggle.

on-yer-bike

thehairs1970 wrote:

Just bought a boardman bike but due to enormous legs and shorter body, I feel I have to lean quite far forward. Any suggestions for a budget lightweight 80mm stem.

Martyn

Change the bike for the right size?

seanoconn

The curse of the long legs, i know it well. I'm sure, like me, you got the best sized boardman you could. I was still too stretched out so changed the 120mm stem to a 100mm with a slight angle, made the riding position much more comfortable. Ritchey have a good choice in stems if you want it matching your seatpost and wheels, FSA good, tompson also but pricey.

thehairs1970

Thanks On-yer-bike. Didn't think of getting the 'right size'. I just went in and grabbed the first thing on the shelf!

38in inside leg leaves little option but to go for XL frame. I don't think swapping a stem for something of more comfortable length is so bizarre. Thanks to others for more helpful and understanding advice.

Martyn

ajb72

Worth checking out ebay - I picked up a Thomson stem for just £13 last week, there are some cracking finds if you are prepared to search.

TheOldMan

Shortening the stem a lot can spoil the steering; have you tried moving the saddle closer to the bars? Also a seat post with smaller offset (think standard on your bike is 20mm & Easton do one with 10mm) would also move the seat closer to the bars.

Of course if you go too far with the saddle it will possibly upset the balance of your seating position and put more weight on your hands......

Why is everything so complicated?

thehairs1970

Just looked at the bike and think 20mm of the stem will improve things no end. However I'm not sure where how you measure a stem to think about the size I'll need. Is it centre to centre or what?

Martyn

sungod

centre to centre

is the height of the bars ok for you?

skyd0g

Another alternative - possibly change the handlebars to a set with a shorter reach.
I just didn't get on with the 'ergo' bars supplied & also felt a little too stretched-out on the hoods.
I changed mine to a set of FSA Omega Compacts - they made a World of difference.

justresting

+1 for the Omega Compacts 'improved' my reach by about 20mm coupled with a 10mm shorter stem I was 30mm 'better off' without seeming to compromise the handling ( v short arms sadly, )

thehairs1970

Cheers. The bars are at the top of the steerer tube so can't do anything there. I like the idea of changing handlebars. I'll look into it.

Martyn

big2000dave

im having the same problem on my boardman xl team carbon, did 30miles today and my neck is really sore from looking up where im going! still 6ft4 tall and i feel a little too stretched out! might have a look into my stem issues.

sungod

thehairs1970 wrote:

Cheers. The bars are at the top of the steerer tube so can't do anything there. I like the idea of changing handlebars. I'll look into it.

Martyn

you could fit a stem with some rise in it

there are plenty of options, find what is really needed before splashing the cash

try this...

sitting in the saddle in normal riding position, without holding the bars bend forwards from the hip - keeping your back *flat* or even curved back a bit - as far as you can (just don't curve your back forwards!)

in this position you should be able to reach the hoods and ride comfortably with your elbows slightly bent and without leaning on the bars

now hold position and then put your hands where the bars *ought* to be, now you can get an idea of whether you need a shorter stem, higher bars, or both

if the bars are too far or too low you'll end up leaning on them, but if they're too low then simply putting on a shorter stem will not solve it as you'll still be leaning too far

given what you've said about frame size and body shape, i'd try getting a proper bike fit or at least advice from an experienced roadie who can look at your position and see what to adjust, proper setup can make a massive difference to comfort and performance

justresting

Not sure if you're a beginner big2000dave but if you are I would put a few miles in before doing anything drastic. My neck , and lots of other things !!!!! ache at the beginning of the season ( fairweather cyclist ) but after a few more sessions I loosen up a bit.

big2000dave

justresting wrote:

Not sure if you're a beginner big2000dave but if you are I would put a few miles in before doing anything drastic. My neck , and lots of other things !!!!! ache at the beginning of the season ( fairweather cyclist ) but after a few more sessions I loosen up a bit.

maybe because i ride XC and DH most the time, road is my fitness work. I struggle to look up most the time (it's my muscley neck) lol. need to stretch it out!

oscarbudgie

FSA compacts and change of stem can make a big difference but most of all stretching and getting used to the position. Saddle for and aft should never be adjusted to improve reach - its the one part of bike fit where there is a definite right and wrong position - right being wit the front of your kneecap directly over the pedal spindle.

GavH

oscarbudgie wrote:

FSA compacts and change of stem can make a big difference but most of all stretching and getting used to the position. Saddle for and aft should never be adjusted to improve reach - its the one part of bike fit where there is a definite right and wrong position - right being wit the front of your kneecap directly over the pedal spindle.

That can't be applicable to everyone - certainly not me anyway. My saddle is set as far back as itt'll go on the rails, my knee is well behind the pedal axle when conducting that test with the plumb line. I like it that way. My reach is perfectly fine with a 90mm stem and FSA compact bars.

The OP needs to be aware that some of the advice he will get on here will be based on what a racer will want position or kit wise. For those of us who just want to get out and ride, for fitness or just plain fun, comfort is really the main priority. In this case, the performance based adivce is a useful insight, but it is certainly not the only solution.

GavH

oscarbudgie wrote:

FSA compacts and change of stem can make a big difference but most of all stretching and getting used to the position. Saddle for and aft should never be adjusted to improve reach - its the one part of bike fit where there is a definite right and wrong position - right being wit the front of your kneecap directly over the pedal spindle.

That can't be applicable to everyone - certainly not me anyway. My saddle is set as far back as itt'll go on the rails, my knee is well behind the pedal axle when conducting that test with the plumb line. I like it that way. My reach is perfectly fine with a 90mm stem and FSA compact bars.

The OP needs to be aware that some of the advice he will get on here will be based on what a racer will want position or kit wise. For those of us who just want to get out and ride, for fitness or just plain fun, comfort is really the main priority. In this case, the performance based adivce is a useful insight, but it is certainly not the only solution.