shortening riding position

smack148

I feel my bike is a little long in the reach to the hoods, can I get a shorter stem without altering the handling too much. I've already got the seat as far forward is it will go but find that uncomfortable in other areas. I think if it lost about 2cm that would feel much better. or is there another alteration that is simpler that I should consider.

Rigged

Shifting the saddle forward isn't the way to resolve your position as it alters the position of your knee over the cranks. If you sit on your bike and position either pedal at 3 o'clock and then have someone drop a plum line from the small indentation in the side of your knee it should intersect with the axel of the pedal.

Shortening the stem will inevitable change the handling slightly, whether it is too twitchy or not becomes personal preference and what you're used to, but it's the best way to shorten the reach without changing frame.

ilm_zero7

agreed - I shortened the stem on my bike - I can actually see the front hub now (not in line as seems to be some obcession) and my upper body position is far more relaxed, plus the bum to crank relationship feels right - so try it

jameses

I took 2cm off the stem recently. It did make a surprising amount of difference to the feel, much more twitchy, but well worth it for the improvement in comfort and only took a ride or two to get used the steering.

It's either that or get a new bike

MichaelW

2cm off a 10cm stem is quite OK. You can also raise the bars a bit.
You shouldnt move your saddle fore-aft to adjust your reach, you set the saddle to adjust your pedalling action then set your reach.

thespanishadam

Have a look in to short reach bars. Then look in to stems if that still isn't enough.

I ran an 80mm stem on a previous bike, the handling was very twitchy to say the least.

yakk

Hi there, I run a 90mm stem on one bike, 100 on another and a 120 on another one. They ride differently, all fit, and it doesn't take long to get used to whichever one I'm on. I have no problems with twitchiness on the one with the 90mm stem. Hope that's helpful.
Ditto above comments re seat positioning, you have to be comfortable and avoid injuries!
Yak

Maverick54

Alternatively you could try raising your saddle slightly, to make up for the more forward position. Or you could keep the stem and try an in line seatpost (assuming you have a setback post at the moment). But really it depends entirely on how you are built and how uncomfortable you currently are. Having a long reach to the hoods can have its advantages by flattening your back more, and making you more aero but if this is to the detriment of comfort then it's not worth it. I have a longish top half and short legs (much like Cav I like to think ;-)) and my coach fitted me with a 120mm stem (from 100), in line post and shortened my cranks to 170mm from 175mm. The difference was immense, but took some getting used to.

ajb72

before you take any drastic action, are you sure your brake levers are fitted in the correct position on your bars? If they are set too low they can have a drastic effect on your position, a few mm too low can translate to a big difference in reach and comfort.

Most modern levers are designed to be fitted with a slight upwards angle, not horizontal. Worth checking, it doesn't sound ideal if you've already pushed your saddle right forward.

FransJacques

Take a pic of your bike from the side or, better yet, you on your bike with your near-side leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke. We can comment better on this. Cheers