Correct Stem positioning

trevtherev

For the last two years for some reason I have ridden my Giant Defy with too much stretch and finally decided that I should change the stem...but what is the correct and comfortable position? I can now reach the break levers and when I position my hands in the middle of the handlebars I have a slight angle at my elbow...which I presume is correct? I feel however that perhaps I need a slightly smaller stem...but am not sure, and am off the opinion that if I do go again for a smaller stem then I may feel bunched up when in the middle of the handlebar position...Does this all make sense? my frame size medium is perfect but would like your thoughts on the correct stem and more importantly correct positioning.

Monty Dog

Plenty of online resources regarding bike fit. You need to start at saddle height and set back and then work out reach from there. Rough guides are that when riding on the hoods, your elbows should be relaxed with a slight bend and no tightness in your neck or shoulders. Another rough guide is that when looking down the front hub should be obscured by the tops of the bars i.e if stem too long, hub will be behind the bars.

blackhands

Don't muck about with rough guides - get a cheap shorter stem off ebay and try it.

brin

You don't say what size stem you are already using, but by your comment " i can now reach the brake levers" it appears to have been to long. Reduce your current stem by 10mm if it's a 100mm try a 90mm, etc you don't need to drop back too big a distance for comfort, when your hands are on the hoods your elbows should be bent slightly and your shoulders should be relaxed.

Monty Dog

blackhands wrote:

Don't muck about with rough guides - get a cheap shorter stem off ebay and try it.

Experienced bike fitter are we then?

He might have the saddle slammed back on the rails, the seatpost too high and the saddle nose pointing downwards which all contribute to bad bike fit.

tmg

As Monty Dog mentions, you need to ensure that everything you currently have is alligned correctly, lots of stuff on the web about best positions so I'd suggest looking at some of that, then if you still feel a little stretched out try a shorter stem if you think thats what will solve the problem

MichaelW

I dont think there are any guides that can tell you the correct stem for YOU to use. How high/low/stretched etc is entirely a personal matter. There may be some fitters who think they know how you should ride, ie like a professional athlete. More sophisticated fitters will hand you an adjustable stem.

Monty Dog

IME lots of people have their bike set up to what 'looks good' rather than a biomechanical optimum, taking their cues from photos of pros bieks - I see loads of bikes with plenty of exposed seatpost, saddle pushed forward and nose pointed down which clearly demonstrates that the rider is struggling with reach and fails to engage the big power muscles such as glutes and quads.

billy85

Check out some vids on youtube, thats what I used and the bike feels nice and comfortable.

This is the one I used:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk

sampras38

Monty Dog wrote:

IME lots of people have their bike set up to what 'looks good' rather than a biomechanical optimum, taking their cues from photos of pros bieks - I see loads of bikes with plenty of exposed seatpost, saddle pushed forward and nose pointed down which clearly demonstrates that the rider is struggling with reach and fails to engage the big power muscles such as glutes and quads.

+1

Andf they don't seem to understand that the pros are far more flexible and used to riding at a more aggressive position.

johngrage

This is a link to a user friendly site i used to set up my first road bike.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/fit-bike.htm

its v helpful with lots of pictures and not to involved.

Skippy2309

i go by what feels right. Mine felt too stretched was comfortable but felt long...

if you have a turbo sit upright pedalling then just let your hands go on the bars. i landed well short of the drops. so went for 30mm shorter stem. (cheap on ebay £10 delivered) fitted it now same test hands land pretty much perfect on the hoods.

HUGE difference in terms of comfort whole body relaxes on the bike... when i get my flexibility and core strength back i will go for the longer stem.

colsoop

You mention when in the middle of the handlebars.

Ideally you want to have a slight bend in your elbows when postioned on the hoods. We are all different though some have lots of flexibility or long torsos.

What length is the current stem ?

trevtherev

Thanks for all the advice the current stem is 110 and is without a doubt too long....I have just changed down a size 90 I think which is much better but my hands are not exactly over the hoods to make me feel in total control of the bike braking etc...however if reduce another size again then I suspect I will be "bunched" I have also positioned the saddle as far forward as possible. So in essence the fit is better but could possibly be bettered

MountainMonster

You may want to go have a bike fit, to check all heights and everything. Could end up working wonders for youn and could be a wise investment.

blackhands

Monty Dog wrote:

blackhands wrote:

Don't muck about with rough guides - get a cheap shorter stem off ebay and try it.

Experienced bike fitter are we then?

He might have the saddle slammed back on the rails, the seatpost too high and the saddle nose pointing downwards which all contribute to bad bike fit.

Yes, I'm also a qualified exercise physiologist, have had papers published in peer reviewed journals and am a qualified coach with experience in coaching riders up to multi national champions and olympic medal winner.

Anyway, I had assumed (correctly as it turns out) that he had made the obvious asjustments but it would seem that the top-tube is too long for him. My advice would be to get a new frame as he may never get that one to fit. Going to a very short stem does give handling difficulties as the leverage when turning is reduced and is much faster (ie when turning the arc transcirbed is shorter).