Short stem?

white91
white91 Posts: 431
edited June 2013 in MTB buying advice
Decided I am fitting wider bars to see what all the craze is, going from 660mm to 711mm.

I use a 90mm stem so I am thinking a 70mm or even a 50mm?

I ride mainly around Cannock on the red/black routes, would a 50mm compromise my riding?

Comments

  • Maro
    Maro Posts: 226
    I prefer a short stem, I like very dirrect handling.
    Bird Aeris. DMR Trailstar. Spesh Rockhopper pub bike.
  • sofaboy73
    sofaboy73 Posts: 574
    Impossible to tell as we don't know how you fit the bike. Do you feel you've got enough top tube length / reach in the cockpit to drop down to a shorter stem?

    Personally I'd recommend going for a 70mm first as 40mill drop to a fifty is pretty big. Buy a cheap one of e-bay first, see if you like it, if you do, buy a better quality one and sell the other / keep it as a spare.

    Short stem / wide bars won't compromise handling, it should improve stability. I ride 750 bars on a 60mm stem and love it
  • dhooper7
    dhooper7 Posts: 156
    780mm on 50mm stem here. Also love it.
    2011 Specialized Enduro Comp
    2014 Boardman Hybrid Comp
  • bartimaeus
    bartimaeus Posts: 1,812
    Borrow a stem or stems if you can, so you can try different set-ups... or buy cheap ones (a CarbonCycles 60, 70 or 80mm stem will cost you £13.50).
    Vitus Sentier VR+ (2018) GT Grade AL 105 (2016)
    Giant Anthem X4 (2010) GT Avalanche 1.0 (2010)
    Kingley Vale and QECP Trail Collective - QECP Trail Building
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    I've got a brand new Superstar Zenith AM 50mm (gunmetal) for sale. £20 inc. postage if you're interested
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • Kowalski675
    Kowalski675 Posts: 4,412
    I'm no expert, but I'd say drop 20mm first. I've just gone from 110 to 90mm and the 20mm reduction gave a significant change.
  • white91
    white91 Posts: 431
    I ride a Chameleon which are known for short top tubes, I think I'm gonna grab a 70mm and 50mm stems to see how I get on. Probably start with a 70mm
  • sofaboy73
    sofaboy73 Posts: 574
    Santa Cruz's are a little short on top. Fwiw, I'm 6'1 and just about get away with 60mm stem on a nomad (large) with my saddle right back. But all down to body proportion and preferred riding position
  • Grovsie29
    Grovsie29 Posts: 116
    Some of the trees on the monkey trail are a bit of a squeeze with 740mm bars like ive got. lol.

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