Should I replace the stem?

velvetytoast
velvetytoast Posts: 161
edited September 2010 in Road beginners
Hi all,

I've just bought a new bike with pretty much the same geometry as my old bike. When I rode it for the first time I felt very streched out and wasn't fully comfortable on the hoods - drops felt fine though. Comparing the two shows that the stem on the new bike is 20mm longer (120mm as opposed to 100mm)

Question is - should I replace the stem with a shorter one or will I get used to the extra 20mm? If I replace it - anyone got any advice on a decent brand? (Currently a most stem but can't seem to find anyone who sells them)

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    If it's too long, replace it. Got two bikes, one with 12 other with 10, always felt too stretched on first one. Replace it with shorter one, angled it up and hey presto much better. Most LBS will sell stems, pretty much the same £30 should get you a alu one.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • velvetytoast
    velvetytoast Posts: 161
    Thanks for the advice - Sounds like replacement is the way to go - I'll swap the stems and try the shorter one on the new bike before I spend any cash - so a stems a stem is a stem - thats all I need to know :)
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Check saddle position on the rails too, push it all the way forward.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    velvetytoast wrote:
    so a stems a stem is a stem - thats all I need to know :)

    not quite - there are stems for standard road bars (25.4mm) and stems for oversize bars (31.8mm) - you need to establish which one you have, before shelling out for a new one...
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Father Jack wrote:
    Check saddle position on the rails too, push it all the way forward.

    yeah, that'll really help his riding position, won't it.....
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Of course it will, if saddle is way back you'll be more stretched out. That's as long as saddle is correct position on the cranks.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Father Jack wrote:
    Of course it will, if saddle is way back you'll be more stretched out. That's as long as saddle is correct position on the cranks.

    you're not making any sense. Ideal lateral position of the saddle is always relative to the position of the bottom bracket axis. It's not somethng you should be adjusting to get the correct reach to the stem.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    So what do you suggest then? If the frame is the right size, the saddle is in the correct position, but the reach is too long. That's why they have 10cm and 12cm to make slight adjustments. And from one review of my bike, the reviewer swopped the stock 12cm stem to 10cm .

    If you mean to say the frame is too large, well the next size down is tiny (51cm)

    set the bike up for me and swapped a stem over to get the fit better. I opted for the medium size but fitted a 10cm stem as the 12cm one supplied was way too long. This is something well worth considering - although the bikes come in more sizes now you still may have to compromise the standard specification.

    Exactly the same as me. Saddle is in the correct position, knees above pedal axle when it's at 3 o clock
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Father Jack wrote:
    So what do you suggest then? If the frame is the right size, the saddle is in the correct position, but the reach is too long.

    I don't think anyone is disputing that a shorter stem might improve things. I certainly haven't suggested otherwise. I simply said that slamming the saddle all the way forward is not a sensible suggestion...
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    I obviously meant just to try it out...jeez..no cost involved, and if you have stretched out/back problem give it a shot and know/feel different, go for a ride, and then look at a stem.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • chunkytfg
    chunkytfg Posts: 358
    Back to the OP's question as opposed to b!tching about what is clearly a missunderstanding then you should aim to have all the sizes of your bikes the same so distance from seat to bars, saddle to crank etc then when you ride any of them they fit the same and you dont risk issues with certain bikes causing certain ailments(bad back, sore hands etc).

    If this means swapping stems, saddles etc then so be it.
    FCN 7

    FCN 4

    if you use irrational measures to measure me, expect me to behave irrationally to measure up
  • sparkins1972
    sparkins1972 Posts: 252
    Just about to do the same on my new / second hand bike - I guess the measurements are from the centre of the steerer to the middle of the clamp, rather than entire length of the stem?
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    softlad wrote:
    Father Jack wrote:
    Of course it will, if saddle is way back you'll be more stretched out. That's as long as saddle is correct position on the cranks.

    you're not making any sense. Ideal lateral position of the saddle is always relative to the position of the bottom bracket axis. It's not somethng you should be adjusting to get the correct reach to the stem.

    Softlad's spot on here.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    No he's just being arguementitve..as if his opinion is set in stone lol...some info here

    http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

    It's not about "ideal" it's what's best for you.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • wiffachip
    wiffachip Posts: 861
    Father Jack wrote:

    It's not about "ideal" it's what's best for you.

    correctamundo
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Father Jack wrote:
    No he's just being arguementitve..as if his opinion is set in stone lol...some info here

    http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

    It's not about "ideal" it's what's best for you.

    blimey - how long did it take you to find a link to an obscure american wheelbuilder (not framebuilder) who is still only half-able to validate your own misconceptions...??? :D
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    about 10 seconds.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    lol at "misconceptions" :roll:
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)

Categories