Stem length vs frame size
Soulmonkey
Posts: 25
Howdy. Just wondering for all those at the frame size crossover (most people it seems!), would you recommend a larger frame, shorter stem, or vice versa? I guess I'm thinking of all-mountain do-it-all riding rather than "genre" specific.
"Don't worry about what the world needs. Find what makes you come alive, then go do that. Because the world needs people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
Scott Genius
Titus FCR
Genesis Equilibrium
Carrera Chrono
Howard Thurman
Scott Genius
Titus FCR
Genesis Equilibrium
Carrera Chrono
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Comments
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i would get the right size frame."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
I personally prefer a longer top tube and shorter stem, but the overall fit is the most important thing.0
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Personally if i was between sizes i would rather go for the smaller size, ive had al larger frame in the past and whilst it was a great bike the riding position was all wrong and it felt like i was perched on top of the bike rather than actually riding it as a part of it.0
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Not a straight forward question...
The difference in stem will affect the feel and character of the front-end. Do you want more "twitchy" or "lay'd back" steering. Similarly (but more manageable) how much rise/fall of the bars feels better (for you)?
I like a twitchy and compact front-end, so go for longer top-tube and smaller stem. YMMV0 -
nicklouse wrote:i would get the right size frame.
BTW which part of the OP didn't you bother to read?0 -
antikythera wrote:nicklouse wrote:i would get the right size frame.
BTW which part of the OP didn't you bother to read?
actually i read it all.
how easy is it to change a stem?
how easy is it to change a frame?
buy the right sized frame."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
nicklouse wrote:how easy is it to change a frame?
buy the right sized frame.
Yes, agreed get the right frame! But the question is if you fit between sizes and (arguably) either size (+/-) is closest to the "right" size. Which do you choose? and how do you compensate for differences.
Easily the "right" size would be based on lower body dimensions (leg, in-seem etc) with the upper body dimensions corrected for by changing stems etc.
Being a bulkier build, I can have a shorter seat-post on a larger frame and therefore more stability. It also plays into my preference for a tighter front-end (i.e. shorter stems). A mountain goat might error on the smaller frame size[/b]0 -
I would also recommend the larger frame, if you are in between frame sizes. With a larger frame, you can more easily center the seat further back from the bottom bracket, which is, in my personal experience, easier on the knees.
With a tight frame, especially if you are climbing in the saddle, there is the potential to do damage to your knees. This is my personal experience: I have found that moving up a frame size resolved issues with my knees.
I would imagine a larger frame might also be an "easier ride", i.e. it would be a more relaxed geometry.BMC Pro Machine
Enigma Ego0