Road bike / Mountain bike stems - difference?

cheddarpaul

Hey all, I need a new road bike stem as my current one is too long at 130mm and I think I need 90mm to 100mm (arms stretched too far forward and back ache between my shoulder blades).

However, I am confused as to the difference between mountain bike and road bike stems

I dont want to spend a great amount so can anyone recommend a new stem (under £20 or so)?

Thanks

explosifpete

a road one will normally be a bit light and weaker but this isn't always the case. angles vary but as long as you get the clamp size 25.4 or 31.8 you should be fine
I wouldn't go below 100mm on a road bike as they get a bit twitchie

maddog 2

If you run a oversized bar (31.8mm) then road and MTB stems are interchangeable. As pete says, the road ones tend to be a bit lighter but there's not a lot in it really.

If you run an older, non-oversized bar then road stems are 26.0mm and MTB stems are 25.4mm, so you need to get the right one. This assumes you run a drop bar. If you run a straight bar then it'll probably be 25.4mm.

Tell us what your bar clamp diameter is and we'll recommend a stem to suit.

cheddarpaul

Thanks both

It is def a 31.8mm stem...... what do you recommend?

maddog 2

Ebay has the best deals, as many change their stems due to size not wear. Such as:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Giant-Connect-Ste ... 41582341da


If you def. want new then some sub £20 is:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44961 (bit heavy but solid)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34534

bit more than £20 (on sale)
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... m_2598.htm

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... LE_443.htm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ritchey-PRO-Stem- ... 483e0b56e0