Backwards pointing stem??!!

sheffsimon
sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
edited July 2011 in Workshop
Just in the process of re-sizing an old but good MTB for the oldest lad. Have fitted a chainset with shorter cranks and the shortest stem I could find.

He says the reach feels OK but he hasn't ridden any distance on it yet.

As f00ked up as it sounds, I had the thought of fitting the stem pointing backwards to reduce the reach a bit more. The stem angle is about 45 deg and its about 50mm stem, so the bars shouldnt be too low, and I can make the cable routing work.

Just wondered if anyone else had done similar, and what the handling was like as a result.

Comments

  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    You can't do that to the lad - he'll forever get people thinking he's an idiot and pointing out that his stem's on backwards!
    More problems but still living....
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    I would not do it. it will feel really nasty.

    you can get shorter than 50mm reach

    30mm
    11799.jpg

    0mm
    2934961816_f1feb8c9cc.jpg

    what size steerer and bars?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    nicklouse wrote:
    I would not do it. it will feel really nasty.

    you can get shorter than 50mm reach

    30mm
    11799.jpg

    0mm
    2934961816_f1feb8c9cc.jpg

    what size steerer and bars?

    1 1/8 steerer, 25.4mm bars.
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    amaferanga wrote:
    You can't do that to the lad - he'll forever get people thinking he's an idiot and pointing out that his stem's on backwards!

    True, I think the answer will be that he will just get have to get used to it. :)

    PS. Weather looks OK for tonight, should be fun especially for those of us not hanging on to D.Downings back wheel :wink:
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    You could probably get some bars that are more swept back in design.
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    SheffSimon wrote:
    I had the thought of fitting the stem pointing backwards

    ?????

    Are you sure you meant backwards, as opposed to flipped upside down (although I suppose this would not reduce the reach)?

    Steering would be like the tiller on a boat :)

    I'd wager the bike'd be pretty much unrideable ...
  • dcurzon
    dcurzon Posts: 290
    yeah, he's have to turn the bars left to go right and vice versa
    B'Twin Sport 1
    FCN 7 =4, +2(non cycling clothes) +1(beard)
  • JamieRa
    JamieRa Posts: 82
    dcurzon wrote:
    yeah, he's have to turn the bars left to go right and vice versa

    why would he?
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    dcurzon wrote:
    yeah, he's have to turn the bars left to go right and vice versa

    Dont think so.

    I'm not so sure it would make much difference to the feel of the steering with a short stem, although as pointed out, he would look a bit of a tw@t :)
  • dcurzon
    dcurzon Posts: 290
    yeah perhaps not. but it'd still look silly
    B'Twin Sport 1
    FCN 7 =4, +2(non cycling clothes) +1(beard)

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