Options!?!
Badman
Posts: 9
Hey guys,
I am relatively new to the joys of being a roadie and ride a Claud Butler San Remo 2010, mainly in Richmond Park, London, GB. I am 5ft 6 and riding a 53 cm frame as advised by the local bike shop. The stem is 110mm.
However, having ridden through the last couple months of last year I felt very stretched out, as if I was reaching a little too far.. my arms were almost locked out but not quite.
Also, my hands would hurt as I had too much weight in them although my seat at the right height, im sure of that. During rides I would remind myself to have a very loose grip but they would just ache after about 45 mins in the saddle..
At the start of this year, I went back to said bike shop and they advised me to flip the stem, bringing the handlebars a little closer but also way higher. Now it just feels as if the handlebars are way too high and I dont get into a nice drop position but am simply sitting upright which feels wrong. And yes, all of the spacers are above the stem.. it is as low as possible.. I liked the previous feel of being nice and low but the arms were too straight and achy..
Anyway, I feel that I should get a new stem, 100mm or 90mm but here is the dilemma.. I'm not sure which..???
I dont want too fork out 80 pounds for 2 and see which is better and also I am not confident in fitting it myself and getting it exactly straight and so would ask the guys at the shop to do it but they charge 13.50pounds each time!
Grateful for any advice given
Yours, embarrassed noob.
I am relatively new to the joys of being a roadie and ride a Claud Butler San Remo 2010, mainly in Richmond Park, London, GB. I am 5ft 6 and riding a 53 cm frame as advised by the local bike shop. The stem is 110mm.
However, having ridden through the last couple months of last year I felt very stretched out, as if I was reaching a little too far.. my arms were almost locked out but not quite.
Also, my hands would hurt as I had too much weight in them although my seat at the right height, im sure of that. During rides I would remind myself to have a very loose grip but they would just ache after about 45 mins in the saddle..
At the start of this year, I went back to said bike shop and they advised me to flip the stem, bringing the handlebars a little closer but also way higher. Now it just feels as if the handlebars are way too high and I dont get into a nice drop position but am simply sitting upright which feels wrong. And yes, all of the spacers are above the stem.. it is as low as possible.. I liked the previous feel of being nice and low but the arms were too straight and achy..
Anyway, I feel that I should get a new stem, 100mm or 90mm but here is the dilemma.. I'm not sure which..???
I dont want too fork out 80 pounds for 2 and see which is better and also I am not confident in fitting it myself and getting it exactly straight and so would ask the guys at the shop to do it but they charge 13.50pounds each time!
Grateful for any advice given
Yours, embarrassed noob.
0
Comments
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always do in steps so go for the 100mm. Why £80?? if you look around you should be able to pick one up for £30 or so also try ebay.
doing your own mechanics is straightforward and rewarding see here for tips:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... dlebar+steWhen I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells0 -
I'd recommend trying something cheap, free or borrowed before forking out £80.
There is a small danger that you're knees may hit the bars if you get too shorter stem.
Could your seat be set too far back?
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/13001/giant-connect-100mm-31.8mm-black-stem/ <<Something a bit cheaper.0 -
High On Bikes-either their website or ebay shop
Brand new Deda stems,nice looking,relatively light for less than 20 quid.
Different lengths available.
This shop is highly recommended in a recent thread on here.Whichever you don't use put back on ebay0 -
Thanks for the tips!
Once i put a new one on should my elbows be really bent when on the hoods or is almost straight right? I see some people in the park whose arms are quite straight but then there are guys that have aerobars (as an extreme) who have their elbows virtually completely bent!0 -
Why not go to shop where you bought bike. Tell them your not happy with the fit and ask for loan of a shorter stem to try over a week. They could keep existing stem in meantime. Any decent shop would agree to this0
