Twitchy steering

matt-h

Hi i have the following bike
http://2010.feltracing.com/USA/2010-Pro ... Elite.aspx

it has been upgraded with a 3T Extendo Bar
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/3t-extendo-team ... ies-Carbon

I know the bar is to long, but am worried about cutting it down when other things need looking at first.

Would a shorteer stem be the right answer?
There are sdo many sizes and types that i was going to get 2nd hand until i found the right length and then ipgrade.
What are other peoples thoughts on this

MAtt

rockmonkeysc

Buy a new wide bar, you can cut it down a bit at a time. Get a couple used stems. I find that with a wider bar I need a shorter stem.
It might just be what I'm used to but I really don't like narrow bar and long stem combinations that come on a lot of xc bikes.
780mm bars & a 45mm stem always feels best to me. I use the same set up on my DH & XC bikes.

matt-h

Great idea about the bar.

I'll trawl ebay

nicklouse

a shorter stem is needed.

by fitting a wider bar you have moved your riding position forward.
what length of stem will depend on many things. arm length. width of shoulders etc. and what length of stem is currently fitted and what the bar width was.

YeehaaMcgee

Shorter stem will make the steering more twitchy.
Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

supersonic

71 degree head angle too - it is supposed to be twitchy, to an extent!

matt-h

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Shorter stem will make the steering more twitchy.
Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

it came with the bike.

tone of post noted

matt-h

nicklouse wrote:

what length of stem will depend on many things. arm length. width of shoulders etc. and what length of stem is currently fitted and what the bar width was.

Is this something that you guys can help with?

What and how do i take the correct measurements?

Matt

supersonic

You need to experiment - start with the wider bar, move your grips inwards and see how it feels. When happy, cut it down. A longer stem will help with stability, but may cause more steering flop in slow speed turns.

But again, you have bought a racy XC bike, it is meant to handle fast! You'll only reduce by a small degree.

matt-h

Thanks Supersonic.

What would be the reason for the prevoius owner to put the long bars on a 'racy XC bike'?
Just trying to understand the geometry and what changes do what.

In fact, is there any literature available to help me understand more?

Matt

Chunkers1980

Because some people see wider bars as needed and cool (as that is what DHers have). Just like the single speeders who have supidly narrow bars, same logic.

All you need to know is that you have what feels right to you and what you prefer.

YeehaaMcgee

matt-h wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Shorter stem will make the steering more twitchy.
Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

it came with the bike.

tone of post noted

Oh, I thoguht you meant you'd "upgraded" it yourself

matt-h wrote:

it has been upgraded with a 3T Extendo Bar
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/3t-extendo-team ... ies-Carbon

From that.
What do you mean "tone of post"?

YeehaaMcgee

matt-h wrote:

Thanks Supersonic.

What would be the reason for the prevoius owner to put the long bars on a 'racy XC bike'?
Just trying to understand the geometry and what changes do what.

They may have thought that the wider bars would give them more leverage, on order to tame the front end?
Or it may have been a fashion statement as stated.

matt-h

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

Came accross as patrionising/sarcastic

matt-h

Thanks all.

There seems to be just to much choice.
Road bikes are far easier :oops:

If there is anything any good i should be reading, please let me know.

I bought the bike used, for a good price. The fact it was light and carbon swayed it for me - as above, i'm normally a roadie, so i'm just trying to understand whats needed for it to work for ME.

Twelly

matt-h wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

Came accross as patrionising/sarcastic

..aaand welcome to the forum.

YeehaaMcgee

matt-h wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

Came accross as patrionising/sarcastic

Well, it was a bit of a tongue in cheek remark. Would you not agree that spending that amount on a bar is a bit, erm, daft?
We'll try and help you here, but occasionally also have a friendly dig.

matt-h

Double post

matt-h

TwellySmat wrote:

matt-h wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

Came accross as patrionising/sarcastic

..aaand welcome to the forum.

LOL

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

matt-h wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Was the bike twitchy before you spent a hundred quid on a handlebar?

Came accross as patrionising/sarcastic

Well, it was a bit of a tongue in cheek remark. Would you not agree that spending that amount on a bar is a bit, erm, daft?
We'll try and help you here, but occasionally also have a friendly dig.

Agreed. Especially considering its been explained the bike is already a bit twitchy.

Giraffoto

Check before you apply the hacksaw that it can be cut down - some manufacturers say that you can't with their carbon fibre bars. If 3T is one of these, stick it on eBay instead and get one the right width for you. While you've still got it though, do what's been suggested above - move the grips/levers inboard until it feels right, and then you know what the right width is.

matt-h

Giraffoto wrote:

Check before you apply the hacksaw that it can be cut down - some manufacturers say that you can't with their carbon fibre bars. If 3T is one of these, stick it on eBay instead and get one the right width for you. While you've still got it though, do what's been suggested above - move the grips/levers inboard until it feels right, and then you know what the right width is.

I have emailed the distributers to check

passout

Hi. I find longer stems offer stability at speed (that's why you see them on road bikes) but short ones are better when the going gets tougher / more technical i.e. proper mountain biking! Personally I like a stem between 60 and 80mm on my MTB. I find wider bars more confideance inspiring on descents. I have bike with similar geometry to yours (I think) & currently ride with long flat bars & a 60mm stem. This works for me but it does obviously depend on a number of factors including top tube length.

Majski

Personally hate long stems, find I have less control with them. I run 800mm renthal fatbars and a 45mm stem. Suits me perfectly

matt-h

Fitted an 80mm stem last night.

I was surprised 20mm it made that much difference - for the better.

We also messed about with shock psi and after a long trail ride the forks were being maxed to within 5-10mm of the limit - pretty spot on i reckon.

Going to try a 60mm, just to understand what it does

Thanks for all your help

Matt