Stem - choices, choices!

rc856

Hi folks,

Looking for a new stem and wondered what I'm getting for my money?
I see full carbon ones that are more expensive and heavier than some alloy or alloy ones
that are lighter but a lot cheaper? :?

I had a bike fitting at a Specialized dealer and when I ended up getting new bars and stem it was
easier (so I thought at the time) to just get the Specialized ones.

I ride a black Giant and everything on the bike is black so it's always bugged me a wee bit the fact that
the Spesh stem faceplate is silver/alloy (anal I know!). Haven't been able to get a black faceplate on it's own, not even from Specialized.

I decided recently to go ahead and get the S Works stem to 'go with my bars' (and get a black faceplate) but realised it didn't have to be a Spesh stem and I could just get any 31.8mm stem.

Had a look about and I'd forgotten how many are available!

My current stem is 75mm and some makes do 70mm or 80mm. Should I be trying for 75mm? (probably only Spesh)
or if it's another make, do I go longer or shorter??

Cheers

Monty Dog

75mm is quite short for a road stem and typically road stems come in 10mm increments i.e. 80, 90, 100 etc. Length choice is down to your bike fit, so don't veer too far from your bike shop recommendations unless you are looking to change your position.

zippypablo

Sorry jusr re read your post

maddog 2

just buy a decent alloy stem (3T, Ritchey, Syntace, Easton etc.) in the right length. We can't tell you the right length

nunowoolmez

Bontrager do a good aluminium stem with a 7 degree angle. comes in 80 & 70mm lengths. i wouldn't go too short as it will affect your steering, especially downhill. i have tried a 70mm & it wasn't good. 90mm is fine tho. I use FSA stems which are alu carbon mix. pricey but quality!

rc856

Cheers.

I'm 6ft and ride a 55.5cm frame and when I had the bike fit the 75mm
felt the most comfortable. Maybe it's my back flexibility?

rc856

Answered on another thread