How do you decide on stem length?

Paul_iow

I picked my new, to me, bike up this evening and immediately feel slightly over stretched so need to change the stem for a shorter one. Firstly, where do you measure from to work out the length of the stem? Measuring from the bolt to roughly the middle of the clamp end I make mine around 120mm, so should I got for 90mm? Or maybe 80mm or 100mm? Please help! :shock:

danowat

Stems are measured centre to centre.

Personally, I'd give it a while, I felt my Kharma needed a shorter stem, but after a few hundred miles, I am getting more used to the position.

Paul_iow

Thats what I thought and where I was measuring from. I will give it a few rides but it does feel very stretched, I may get a cheap 90mm stem and give each a few rides and see how I feel.

sparkins1972

when you sit with your hands on the hoods, can you see the front wheel hub, or is it blocked out by the bars? If you can see it does it appear in front or behind the bars?

It is an old rule of thumb that several LBSs have tried to give a rough idea - if the bar is hiding the hub, it is basically in the right position - this seems to work for me. someone will probably be along in a minute to tell me I am talking a load of bollards...

Paul_iow

Thanks, I will have a look tomorrow and report back

stevec205gti

sparkins1972 wrote:

when you sit with your hands on the hoods, can you see the front wheel hub, or is it blocked out by the bars? If you can see it does it appear in front or behind the bars?

It is an old rule of thumb that several LBSs have tried to give a rough idea - if the bar is hiding the hub, it is basically in the right position - this seems to work for me. someone will probably be along in a minute to tell me I am talking a load of bollards...

If they do than that makes 2 of us who have got it wrong.

rickwiggans

If your LBS is anything like mine, they'll sell you a stem, and then, as long as you don't scratch it, they'll let you swap it till you're happy with it.

peddlefever

I think it is hard to say for sure if you need a longer stem without knowing if the rest of the bike has been fit properly.

Have you had a fitting done on your bike? If not, there may also be other things you have to set up correctly before you worry about the stem length.

For example, if your saddle has been set in a position that is too far back, you may get a new stem that makes you feel less stretched out, but your legs could be in a bad position for pedaling.

If you have been properly fitted to the bike, then you may just need time to adjust, as mentioned. If you are new to road bikes it could take some time for your core and arms to be able to support you and make you feel normal since they riding position will not be as upright as other types of bikes.

Either way, if you do decide to go with a different stem you should be able to find a shop that will let you try different things, as mentioned. I know my LBS will basically let me try as many component options I need to before I find what I like as long as I take care to bring things back in undamaged condition.

Sleeping_menace

ok.. before doing anything .. follow the guide here, and pls make sure to measure very carefully.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO
Remember that the fit calculators are a starting point, and not definitive since we're all different, but this will get you 90+% of the way there if you follow it carefully. There are a few online bike fit calculators around, but this is the best I've found.

After getting your bike as close as possible to the recommended fit, adjust things a little bit at a time.. and tweak to suit.

Monty Dog

You need to set up correct saddle height and setback before you set the reach. I.e. Stem length. The stretched-out position may feel unnatural at first, but as long as your elbows aren't locked and your suffering from neck-ache I'd give your body a few rides to get used to new position.

nmcgann

Monty Dog wrote:

You need to set up correct saddle height and setback before you set the reach. I.e. Stem length. The stretched-out position may feel unnatural at first, but as long as your elbows aren't locked and your suffering from neck-ache I'd give your body a few rides to get used to new position.

That's good advice. Don't be too quick to change things, especially if you are shifting to riding a road bike from a hybrid or MTB.

ChrisSA

sparkins1972 wrote:

when you sit with your hands on the hoods, can you see the front wheel hub, or is it blocked out by the bars? If you can see it does it appear in front or behind the bars?

It is an old rule of thumb that several LBSs have tried to give a rough idea - if the bar is hiding the hub, it is basically in the right position - this seems to work for me. someone will probably be along in a minute to tell me I am talking a load of bollards...

Bollards!
Bike fit = the way forwards.

Paul_iow

Been out for a quick ride and have started to move the saddle forward, as its quite a way back on the rails. So slowly edging it forward and seeing how it rides. It's also tilted upwards, along with the bars, so have levelled them both off and will see how it feels.

Ive come from a road bike so know what it should feel like so will change things slowly and then test ride.