Angle offset headset and shorter stem? . . .

LAUNCH69

Hi there,
I currently ride a 2008 Rockhopper.It has a review and Spec Sheet here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... c-08-29417

I have always felt a bit stretched out on it when seated and struggle to keep properly bent arms. As a result the saddle is slammed as far forward as possible on the seatpost (layback) as possible.
I read a mag article on bike set up and they recommended putting your elbow on the nose of the saddle and reaching towards the bars. Apparently a normal xc reach would result in your longest finger being half way down the stem. My finger just about gets past the steerer . . .
I am looking at getting a shorter stem. i know that an inline post would help but a dropper seatpost is in the future and i don't think any of them come in an inline version. My current stem is 70mm, I am thinking of getting a 50mm replacement. Would this create any problems?
Also I am looking for more descending stability. My Headangle at the mo is 70.5 according to the review. Works components make a 1deg offset headset for my headtube. Has anyone tried them, or have any advice on whether this would be beneficial?
My riding is mainly 'trail' - normal allround MTBing. Climbing, descending, singletrack and rubbish little steps and jumps. However I am starting to lean more towards the descents.
The reach is only an issue when seated, when it gets a bit tech I stand up and drop the saddle (riding a hardtail makes this naturally happen!).
I am looking at improving what I have as my budget does not allow for a shiny new steed. Child no.2 arriving in Jan has made sure of that.

Any help/comments appreciated.
Cheers,
Si

nicklouse

change the stem and also look at wider bars. this will give you more control. forget the headset for now.

but it does sound like the bike is too big.

LAUNCH69

Thanks Nicklouse,
I already have Easton Haven Bars - 711mm I think. Do you think that a 50mm stem will cause any issues?

Pudseyp

The shorter stem will not cause any issues, I would also trawl ebay for a cheap inline post as that will bring you in a tad more over the top tube, also bars with a insweep will help.

estampida

short stem and wider bars

this might be just a little more rise on the bar

Most DH bars are a little too flat for HT's like that

styxd

Dont get wider bars, they will increase your reach rather than shorten it. It sounds like your bike is too big for you. Try an inline post aswell, rather than the stem, I think theres quite a few dropper seatposts that are inline (gravity dropper, rockshox reverb, ks)

LAUNCH69

Thanks for the replies.
So the general consensus is to get the 50mm stem and an inline seatpost.
I will do some research into inline dropper posts ( I fancy the reverb but I thought it was layback only).
What about the headset? Is it worth kicking out my forks a degree?

nicklouse

in a word NO.

for the money of a angled headset and a dropper seat post a new, may be correctly sized, frame might be a better Idea.

Pudseyp

LAUNCH69 wrote:

Thanks for the replies.
So the general consensus is to get the 50mm stem and an inline seatpost.
I will do some research into inline dropper posts ( I fancy the reverb but I thought it was layback only).
What about the headset? Is it worth kicking out my forks a degree?

The headset will slacken the headangle marginly, however that's all it will do and if the cockpit feels to long then it won't help.

Northwind

Well, it does move the bars back a couple of mm But not enough to be noticable really. Nick is spot on- don't spend money to make your frame fit, spend money to get a frame that fits.

Also does sound like you're pushing the bike a little outside of its design envelope- dropper post, wide hardcore use bars, short stem, thinking of slacking it...

LAUNCH69

Aye you're right,
Probably getting carried away . . . :oops:
Thanks again for the advice, I'm going shopping for a stem

nicklouse

LAUNCH69 wrote:

Aye you're right,
Probably getting carried away . . . :oops:
Thanks again for the advice, I'm going shopping for a stem

see how it feels with a shorter stem.

But also consider the frame.