changing stem length

k3vinjam3s

I'm looking at changing my stem length from 110mm to something smaller. I'm looking at a 80mm but is this going to make the handling far too twitchy or is the difference going to be minimal?

VTech

Get a fit, im booked in next week and they have mentioned that the stem will possibly need changing.

Raffles

Because I have short arms I have to use a 90mm stem and this works out perfectly for me. I can understand your concerns over going down to 80mm but I am curious how you found yourself to be on a bike using 110mm stem :?

Biological make up is biological make up and if your body determines you need an 80mm stem then thats it. If you downsize your bike you could find yourself with a headtube that is far too low. Dont fret though as you would be surprised how many riders are using 80mm and sometimes even less.

rolf_f

It might feel twitchy at first just as a 110mm stem might seem stodgy to someone used to 80mm. You'd get used to it in about 5 minutes.

k3vinjam3s

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

thefd

That is a big jump mind. Can you try one at that size to get a feel for it?

W12_Lad

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

Just for information,
I was getting neck and shoulder ache when nudging past 30 miles or so.
I had a bike fit and was told I needed a longer stem as I was too hunched up on the bike (in what I would of called a more relaxed position but obviously wasn't!).
The position felt instantly better when more stretched out.

bernithebiker

You can pick up really cheap stems these days - buy a 100, 90 and an 80. Choose the one you like best. Sell them on Ebay or on here. Buy a nice stem in the size you want.

Simples!

meesterbond

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

Apparently the guy who did my bike fit in Milton Keynes, John Dennis, now works in Newcastle.

He was excellent and whilst not exactly cheap, probably the most effective 'upgrade' I've spent on the bike.

VTech

meesterbond wrote:

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

Apparently the guy who did my bike fit in Milton Keynes, John Dennis, now works in Newcastle.

He was excellent and whilst not exactly cheap, probably the most effective 'upgrade' I've spent on the bike.

Ive gone for this approach after advice from here. I have an appointment next week.

ShutUpLegs

110mm is the optimum length for a stem, fit the frame around it.









*If you require a performance or race fit

Raffles

ShutUpLegs wrote:

110mm is the optimum length for a stem, fit the frame around it.

IGNORE THIS IMBECILE.........why the hell should he fit a frame to a freakin stem :roll:

canny_lad

meesterbond wrote:

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

Apparently the guy who did my bike fit in Milton Keynes, John Dennis, now works in Newcastle.

He was excellent and whilst not exactly cheap, probably the most effective 'upgrade' I've spent on the bike.

+1 for a bike fit, money well spent. My bike came with 110mm stem and was too stretched out. Swapped it for 100mm and job done, fits fine now.

macleod113

My bike came with a 110mm stem. i arranged a bike fit and i now have a 90mm stem. i am more comfortable and my hands dont slide down from the hoods. no twitchyness when riding and i did a 50 miler the day after fitting the stem and no worries at all. get what is comfortable for you. Ebay is good but some online retailers will do baragins to so it'll pay to shop around.

Pickled Pig

My stem was was obviously too long and I went from a 110 to 90 stem for £30 which sorted things without spending £150 on a bike fit with very variable outcomes.

Bar Shaker

I had a Retul bike fit for my new bike. It showed that my last bike's stem was pretty much spot on and my new bike needed to be 8mm shorter.

Doesn't every bike come with a 110mm?

Perhaps you should also fit your frame around a saddle that is perfectly central. :roll:

Raffles

I believe SUL to be the undisputed anus of bike radar, his "advice" should go straight to the recycle bin in my opinion.

Bar Shaker

Raffles wrote:

I believe SUL to be the undisputed anus of bike radar, his "advice" should go straight to the recycle bin in my opinion.

The forum needs a [like] button.

bianchimoon

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

whereabouts in the NE are you? there's a retul fitter in Newton Aycliffe, further north will be plenty in Newcastle area, and specialized fitters as far south as Harrogate. Worth it in the long run.

iPete

I believe SULs advice is perfectly good advice, especially for anyone looking to justify n+1.

As for me, I'm a tight arse prefer to buy different bars/stems/tape/seats and trial and error. 'Cheaper' and you end up with lots of spares to start building onto another bike...

seanorawe

k3vinjam3s wrote:

I would love a bike fit but I'm struggling to find one local to me in the north east.

As for the stem, I want to change it as I'm starting to do higher milages now and I'm getting slight kneck and shoulder ache when in the saddle for 30+ miles without a break. The pain persists after riding aswell so I'm hoping the closer bars will help rectify this.

Depending on your posture a shorter stem could possibly make the neck pain worse. You could force your body to slump over making your neck work more to look ahead. For me, changing to a position that allowed my back to stay straight and my chest point in the direction im going, took away all my neck pain.

Again, you will never really know what suits you unless you get a fit. Look for a biomechanics fit, its a lot cheaper than a retul fit

seanorawe

P.s

The person who did my fit said, I could possibly change to a 90mm stem (currently 100mm) but advised me to hold off to get used to my position and work on core strength.

And as for stems. I see no problem going to decathlon and buying one for £20

Raffles

Bar Shaker wrote:

Raffles wrote:

I believe SUL to be the undisputed anus of bike radar, his "advice" should go straight to the recycle bin in my opinion.

The forum needs a [like] button.

Definitely, problem with that fool is like he is similar to a comedian who laughs at his own material whilst the room remains eerily silent. If you think Frank Carson who was truly one of the worst comedians who ever breathed , well SUL is like him in that he only posts looking for a laugh whilst absolutely nobody even raises a smile

He is like that little terrier with gritted teeth humping your calf, the inland revenue, bobby davro, eastenders & coronation street, the Radio 1 download charts, the rain and wind in june, july & august, the price of petrol, being called for jury service, ...............all utterly repugnant and you wish they would just take the hint and PI$$ OFF !!!!!

dai_t75

I have gone from a 110 to a 90 now to a 70. I haven't noticed any twitchiness, but that may be because I am still new so haven't got used to the feeling of a longer stem. To me it is a very cheap and easy switch so why not take a punt? You can always put the old one back on.

Harboursteve

I had my stem changed from a 100mm to an 80mm as a part of a bike fit with Andy Sedwick at Bike-Science in Darlington - might suit you being in the North East. I'd really recommend him, I made a world of difference to me, it solved a few niggly aches and pains I was having.

I can't really comment on the handling since a few other things were changed at the same time.

Saying that, I ended up A over T last week so maybe my advice isn't the best!

canny_lad

Raffles wrote:

Bar Shaker wrote:

Raffles wrote:

I believe SUL to be the undisputed anus of bike radar, his "advice" should go straight to the recycle bin in my opinion.

The forum needs a [like] button.

Definitely, problem with that fool is like he is similar to a comedian who laughs at his own material whilst the room remains eerily silent. If you think Frank Carson who was truly one of the worst comedians who ever breathed , well SUL is like him in that he only posts looking for a laugh whilst absolutely nobody even raises a smile

He is like that little terrier with gritted teeth humping your calf, the inland revenue, bobby davro, eastenders & coronation street, the Radio 1 download charts, the rain and wind in june, july & august, the price of petrol, being called for jury service, ...............all utterly repugnant and you wish they would just take the hint and PI$$ OFF !!!!!

Bit harsh that, I think Frank Carson was/is mustard :P