Shorter Stem

paulbnix
paulbnix Posts: 632
edited July 2013 in Road buying advice
I have had a Boardman Road Comp for just over a year now and ridden over 2k miles.
Its my first road bike so I was not sure of the size to get.
Its fairly comfortable most of the time except for the feeling that I am reaching forward a bit too much.
I am looking at trying a shorter stem (at around £25 its worth a punt) but I'm not sure how much shorter to go.
The current stem is 110mm so I am looking at either 100 or 90mm.
Any help on making my decision would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Go 10mm at a time as if you go too short too soon the twitchy handling can be unnerving.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • kentphil
    kentphil Posts: 479
    you could try moving the saddle slightly forward first? this might help.
    1998 Kona Cindercone in singlespeed commute spec
    2013 Cannondale Caadx 1x10
    2004 Giant TCR
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    KentPhil wrote:
    you could try moving the saddle slightly forward first? this might help.


    No no no

    Do not adjust the saddle to alter reach, you are doing the right thing by buying a different stem.

    Saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks to keep an efficient and comfortable pedal stroke.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    PeteMadoc wrote:
    KentPhil wrote:
    you could try moving the saddle slightly forward first? this might help.


    No no no

    Do not adjust the saddle to alter reach, you are doing the right thing by buying a different stem.

    Saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks to keep an efficient and comfortable pedal stroke.

    No no no. KOPS is simply a guide and should not be used as the sole method of fitting. I ride very far forward, as do many others (pros included) and there is nothing inefficient or uncomfortable with my pedal stroke.

    Different strokes for different folks bro.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • JayKosta
    JayKosta Posts: 635
    Try repositioning the brake hoods to find a comfortable position.
    Then if a different stem is still needed, then you'll have a better idea of what length stem would work.

    Jay Kosta
    Endwell NY USA
  • blackpoolkev
    blackpoolkev Posts: 474
    I had a bike few years ago that I rode without aches or pains for 5000 miles.I was between torn between two sizes and plumped for the smaller one,but it never felt "right".
    I tried to tweak the set up to help it fit better(including a stem change), but I couldn't get away from the fact that the bike wasn't a perfect fit.I eventually splashed out on a nice upgrade frame that fits like a glove.
  • buckles
    buckles Posts: 694
    Grill wrote:
    PeteMadoc wrote:
    KentPhil wrote:
    you could try moving the saddle slightly forward first? this might help.


    No no no

    Do not adjust the saddle to alter reach, you are doing the right thing by buying a different stem.

    Saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks to keep an efficient and comfortable pedal stroke.

    No no no. KOPS is simply a guide and should not be used as the sole method of fitting. I ride very far forward, as do many others (pros included) and there is nothing inefficient or uncomfortable with my pedal stroke.

    Different strokes for different folks bro.
    He didn't actually mention KOPS, he just said saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks. Which is true. Good saddle position shouldn't be sacrificed to compensate for having too long a stem - they are seperate issues and should be dealt with as such.
    25% off your first MyProtein order: sign up via https://www.myprotein.com/referrals.lis ... EE-R29Y&li or use my referral code LEE-R29Y
  • paulbnix
    paulbnix Posts: 632
    I have already adjusted the brake hoods by bringing them further up and that does feel better. They are SRAM Apex and any further up the shape is not comfortable in my hands.
    The seat has been fully forward but that did not feel right so its back in the middle now.
    I think I have talked myself into trying a 100mm stem.
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    Buckles wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    PeteMadoc wrote:
    KentPhil wrote:
    you could try moving the saddle slightly forward first? this might help.


    No no no

    Do not adjust the saddle to alter reach, you are doing the right thing by buying a different stem.

    Saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks to keep an efficient and comfortable pedal stroke.

    No no no. KOPS is simply a guide and should not be used as the sole method of fitting. I ride very far forward, as do many others (pros included) and there is nothing inefficient or uncomfortable with my pedal stroke.

    Different strokes for different folks bro.
    He didn't actually mention KOPS, he just said saddle should be adjusted relative to the cranks. Which is true. Good saddle position shouldn't be sacrificed to compensate for having too long a stem - they are seperate issues and should be dealt with as such.

    Yes, that's what I meant. Don't go fiddling with the saddle to adjust reach.
  • gloomyandy
    gloomyandy Posts: 520
    PeteMadoc wrote:
    Yes, that's what I meant. Don't go fiddling with the saddle to adjust reach.


    Not everyone would agree with that:
    http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
    http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bik ... oad-bikes/

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