New Shorter Stem

photonic69

Hi. I'm thinking I'd like to try a shorter stem on my 29er to a) sharpen up the handling b) make it fit me better.

I feel the bike is a bit sluggish to turn as I have quite wide bars (710mm) and it is difficult to get the front end up over obstacles as I currently feel a bit too stretched out on the bike. I've moved the saddle forwards a bit and up a bit but still feel I'm reaching out all the time. Current stem is 100mm. I'd like to try a 50/60mm one.

Cast alu or welded stem? I'm feeling a bit wary of welds as I've heard stories of welds failing. This is the last place I'd like a failure. It could be deadly.

I'd like to try a cheap one at first in case I dont like it. Any recommendations?

dusk

just get something cheap off CRC, you wouldn't be able to distinguish between a £100 stem and a £20 stem to ride (assuming they were the same dimensions)

tarbot18

I put a 60mm raceface stem on my 29er to replace the 90mm that was on there transformed it and only cost £25.

photonic69

tarbot18 wrote:

I put a 60mm raceface stem on my 29er to replace the 90mm that was on there transformed it and only cost £25.

I like the sound of that. I've just ordered a
Truvativ Stylo T20 Stem from CRC so hope that tighten things up a bit.

stubs

Too late now but On One do the hotbox in 10mm increments for £17.49 On One Hotbox stem or the 3D stem for £9.99

buddy_club

Short stem transformed my 29er, i went 50mm.

photonic69

stubs wrote:

Too late now but On One do the hotbox in 10mm increments for £17.49 On One Hotbox stem or the 3D stem for £9.99

Sadly sold out/not available in the fitment/length I wanted. Great prices though

Mine arrived from CRC today so will fit it later in the week and give it a blast this weekend and report back.

stubs

The hotbox stem is available in 50, 60, 70, 80 and 100mm lengths at the mo unless they havent updated there stock list recently. Which is very likely they are called On One because they only have one on the shelf and its XXS and in a colour no one in there right mind would order.

photonic69

Aaarg! After receiving it in the post and trying to fit it on Saturday I found that the tube clamp is about 4-5mm shorter than the exisiting so it sat flush with the steerer tube top. Bugger. I now need to get a spacer to make it fit.

Question: I currently have 2x 5mm and 1x 2mm spacers on the tube. Do I add another 5mm or ditch one 5mm and add a 10mm spacer? Or doesn't it matter?

neiltb

just get a 5, remove the 2, if it goes together fine you're in, if not add the 2 back (not perched on top)

photonic69

Thanks - got a 10 in the end and removed one of the 5's. Perfect fit.

Bike handles so much better. Sharper turn in. Also I feel less stretched out with this stem and also moved seat forward an inch. Feel much more in control and more confident on the downhills now.

What a transformation!