Stem length vs frame size

Soulmonkey
Soulmonkey Posts: 25
edited August 2010 in MTB general
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.
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    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 :?:SheldonBrown
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    I personally prefer a longer top tube and shorter stem, but the overall fit is the most important thing.
  • jayson
    jayson Posts: 4,606
    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.
    Remedy

    Merida

    Austria 2012
  • antikythera
    antikythera Posts: 326
    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. YMMV
  • antikythera
    antikythera Posts: 326
    nicklouse wrote:
    i would get the right size frame.

    BTW which part of the OP didn't you bother to read?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    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 :?:SheldonBrown
  • antikythera
    antikythera Posts: 326
    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]
  • Brocade
    Brocade Posts: 433
    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 Ego

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