Is my Allez stem too long?

CRAIGO5000

I bought a 2008 Specialized Allez a few weeks back and it's a 54cm frame. I'm 5'10'' with a 33inch inseam and it fits perfectly apart from me feeling like I'm too overstretched on the hoods/drops after a few miles of use.

Now after 100 miles of use, I get the feeling that it would be so much more comfortable if the stem was perhaps 10mm shorter?

The stem is a Specialized stem that appears to have a zero degree angle.

I'm concerned, as the guy I bought it from was taller than me by a few inches and so maybe he had this retro-fitted to fit him better?

A good pic of the stem is still on the ebay listing here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

And here is a side on view showing the angle:


I'm going to measure the stem length now so I'll post that info later.

AlunJ

the stem on my 2011 allez is 130mm. I'm 5ft 10 on a 56cm so it is a bit of a stretch

Ben6899

To be honest; looking at the position of the saddle on the rails in the ebay advertisement, I wouldn't be surprised if the previous owner felt overstretched as well. But that's by the by.

We're all different. I'm 5'11" with a lot of that in my legs! I ride a 56cm and feel comfortable with the aftermarket 120mm Ritchey stem (rather than Felt's OEM shorter offering). Try a shorter stem and see how it feels - your LBS may even lend you one out of their parts bin until you decide what length you need.

Also may be worth posting a photo of you on the bike; you might feel overstretched, but this might simply be a case of you needing to increase flexibility and suppleness (I am assuming you're a beginner given the forum section, btw!)

ollyridesfirst

Do you know the length of the stem? (apologies if you've put it and i've missed it)

It does look to have a slight angle in it, so you could always flip it to move the bars up slightly or stick another spacer in the head....

The saddle can also be moved forward, however as you've stated that your leg fit is perfect i wouldn't bother moving that...

jgsi

Specialized seem to have this habit of putting too long a stem on some of their bike sizes.
On my 58 frame they had a 130 on... grief... had the shop guys just swap it for a 110 for me.
As you have bought 2nd hand ... then a stem isnt the most expensive item you can buy but even so, still an expense..
Just be careful in choosing the length.. 10mm less may or may not be enough.
You can then sell on the replaced stem on Ebay.

Bobbinogs

Hi there, in addition to the previous posts my 10 bob's worth is that you want to look at the fitting as a whole. Have you got the saddle right first (both in height and fore/aft position)? Then move on to the stem in terms of height and length. Flipping is a good way of raising or adjusting the position but obviously no point if it is a 0 deg. However, looking at the pic I reckon that there is an angle on that stem (it is flat overall which implies to me that it is probably a 5 or 6 degree when taking the headset angle into account). I could easily be wrong though.

Nothing wrong with trying a few different length stems but if you are new then don't spend too much because you may find that your body adapts over time.

If you have saved a few quid with your ebay purchase it might be worth investing £100 on a decent fitting (you may find that they also recommend getting that saddle flat )

CRAIGO5000

Since buying the bike I set the saddle height so that at maximum leg extension I had a small degree of angle at my knee joint. I then set the saddle fore/aft by dropping a plumb line from the bone below my knee cap and crossing that with the pedal axle. So it's only the handle bar stuff that really needs sorting now.

I've just made the odd adjustment now and rotated the bars up slightly as the cross-section markers at the stem were perfectly neutral. This gives brings the hoods up and close ever so slightly. I've also moved the saddle forward to get me closer to the handlebars. Hopefully that's not screwed up the way it'll peddle. A quick sit on test made it feel more comfortable, but I need a longer ride to be sure.

I measured the stem and it must have been swapped at some stage as it 130mm! I then measured my mates larger framed 56cm Allez (which is also in the bike store) and that has a 110mm on it. So my frame is smaller with a longer stem and his is bigger with a shorter stem.

I reckon a stock 110mm stem would do me fine. Oh and it also looks like there is a very slight angle on it too of around a few degrees at most.

CRAIGO5000

Speaking of which, can anyone tell me if the following replacements would be a straight swap?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130535241640&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140565636952&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-Stem-110-mm-/270769133984?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3f0b1919a0

Thanks,
Craig

cyberknight

I would get your set up right , this is very good ..


http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

Get your saddle height + setback sorted first so it is sweet then move onto to stem length,

A rule of thumb ..

when on the hoods the top of your handle where it meets the stem obscures the centre of the wheel where the axle is.