Stem Length

[awesme]

Hi guys

 

Ok, so stem length, I can understand the mechanics of having a longer stem, since it gives you a stronger control of the hand bar/wheel direction.

 

Also part of the ergonomics of the bike,

 

sure you can move the seat a bit further back and shorten the stem, or bring it more forward and then lengthen the stem.

 

comments, ideas?

 

G

[NotSoBigBen]

My understanding is that seat fore aft setting is related to knee over pedal position rather than length of stem. But there is I guess a very small chance that I am wrong

[awesme]

nsBB

 

no 100%. the seat position is in relation to the crank and my legs etc,

 

I then lean over to bars. and their position is determined/managed by the stem length and rise.

 

I'm thinking between a seat post and long stem+handle bars you can make just about any bike fit, the measurements you need. but at what point would someone think, ok that stem is to long or to short.

 

G

 

My understanding is that seat fore aft setting is related to knee over pedal position rather than length of stem. But there is I guess a very small chance that I am wrong

[nickelass]

Running your seat back ,is not ideal,and I am doing this currently on my bike,as it moved your weight back,I am doing this as I have a short stem having a longer top tube (frame size) would be better.A sort stem is better for downhill riding,which maybe is what you are after,if more xc a longer stem is better,I am sure there are many riders who are more knowledgable than me to explain this in more detail.

[tombeej]

I wouldn't mess with saddle height and position - as we know, too far forward and you get injuries and too far back you get injuries.

 

I've got 110 mm stem on my hardtail. Played around with a short 60 mm stem for a snappier feel and found that suddenly the pressure on my hands increased a lot. Caused serious pins & needles in my left hand and more lower back pain on long rides. Found that going back to the 110 mm, my upper body weight was being carried more comfortably by my core and the pressure came off my hands. But that's just my personal experience. It's taken months for the numbness in my left ring finger to subside (nerve damage).

 

Rather just get the bike fit done right (professionally). And when it's just right, don't be like me and start tweaking things!

Edited November 2, 2012 by tombeej

[bontie]

Not as simple, ALL of the above affects handling and steering etc. I am no authority on the matter, but this might shed some light :

http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2011/02/the-geometry-of-bike-handling/

 

There is a optimal range for all of the above, and moving saddle back is often a good thing (up to a point), but having to compensate with a shorter stem, will affect handling in a big way.

 

All of this is different for MTB's of course.

[MrJacques]

With a shorter stem my bike has a bigger tendency to lift the front wheel on climbs. A longer stem feels less 'twitchy' to me as well. So it depends on the kind of riding you do. Stem length and handlebar width are related too. Generally you would have a longer stem and narrower bars for xc and a shorter stem and wider bars for trail riding.

[Agteros]

Hi guys

 

Ok, so stem length, I can understand the mechanics of having a longer stem, since it gives you a stronger control of the hand bar/wheel direction.

 

Also part of the ergonomics of the bike,

 

sure you can move the seat a bit further back and shorten the stem, or bring it more forward and then lengthen the stem.

 

comments, ideas?

 

G

Seat setback to get your knees over/behind the axle of the pedal when pedal in the three o'clock(front horizontal) position. That setback + top tube length will determine stem length to get your arms at a 90 degree angle to the body.

 

Bar width can affect body position and hence the angle of arms to body and hence stem length. Bigger wheels, wider bars seem to be the norm.

[patches]

Hi guys

 

Ok, so stem length, I can understand the mechanics of having a longer stem, since it gives you a stronger control of the hand bar/wheel direction.

 

Also part of the ergonomics of the bike,

 

sure you can move the seat a bit further back and shorten the stem, or bring it more forward and then lengthen the stem.

 

comments, ideas?

 

G

 

It is in fact a shorter stem that increases your control over your bars. Shorter stems make ones steering more direct. The rider will feel more 'connected' to the steering of the bike. And when it comes to counter-steering in corners... long stems are terrible. They transfer the weight too far forward and the front wheel pulls inwards.

 

Look at dirt jump, BMX, downhill, freeride and All Mountain. They all use shorter stems (more shorter than others) in order to increase control.

Edited November 2, 2012 by patches

[nolipoli]

As for your seat position - you must take into account what type of bike and riding style you have. A TT bike can have an 80deg seat tube, which places you very far forward, while an all mountain bike might go back to 72deg, placing you further back.

 

Don't blindly trust the bike shop doing the setup. My boet ended up with a 60mm stem and his saddle pushed back on an Anthem - complete stuff up, but he didn't know better

[Big H*]

I have a boep, so the stem stays short and at a angle.