stem choice

[Cruz Addict]

Bring those crowbars on an XCO course with tight tree lines.

its skills that allow for tight single track riding with wide bars not the width of the bars( within reason of coarse)

i think there is a formula somewhere about the widest bars one should use for your shoulder width, will see if i can find it soemwhere.

[hayleyearth]

Cascades and some at Karkloof and Howick.

 

Where it isn't possible to ride with 760mm bars?

 

You will have to send me the exact location of those 'tight trees' on those tracks so I can go have a look next time I am down there (which is soon).

[RocknRolla]

heeeheee, very entertaining thread....

[Guest Smimby]

 

I also don't understand this advocating short stem stuff. Most xc bikes runs 80-100.

 

It can work for downhill but for xc. Nope

[Cruz Addict]

its skills that allow for tight single track riding with wide bars not the width of the bars( within reason of coarse)

i think there is a formula somewhere about the widest bars one should use for your shoulder width, will see if i can find it somewhere.

found it, its and article i read a while ago, not quiet a formula but you get the point:

http://betterride.net/blog/2014/can-mountain-bike-handlebars-wide/

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Bring those crowbars on an XCO course with tight tree lines.

 

 

Heck, Ant - the way the alien growth comes up here in CT in some areas, I get bushwhacked on a regular basis. It can go from having a 2 metre wide trail "funnel" to just a metre wide in the space of a week! Sore hands! Sore hands!!! 

 

So yes, shrubbery encroaching a trail is more of a problem with wider bars, but only if it's aggressively encroaching on a trail. 

 

Trees - can't say I've had that problem, yet. Wait - no - I have. At the top of Jonkershoek before they cut back the new growth on the baby pine trees. Had to do some creative maneuvering in certain sections. 

 

Big trees, though, not so much of a problem. Always been able to negotiate properly. Maybe I'm just not going fast enough, which is a very real possibility. 

[SimpleDom]

I ride 780 bars on both my bikes, and you learn pretty fast how to needle them through tree gaps. It's amazing how much you can turn your bars but still stay straight. My stems aren't particularly short (90mm), but mostly because I'm a 2m gorilla. Shorter than the 110mm stems I used to ride at least. Gavin Pelser suggested the bar change, and there's not much he can't thread through.....

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I also don't understand this advocating short stem stuff. Most xc bikes runs 80-100.

 

It can work for downhill but for xc. Nope

 

 

Basically, it comes down to this.

 

Stem length was historically carried over from Road bikes, where long stems are the norm (nothing wrong there) but they were never adapted for MTB, in which you need to ensure that your weight is properly centred (Ie: not too far over the front end)

 

A shorter stem allows for more direct control of the steering, which is also vital for disciplines such as XCO and DH, not to mention trail riding and All Mountain riding (note the exclusion of Marathon, which for the purposes of this example is more closely related to road riding - not as dependent on precise steering and not as much technicality, when comparing against other disciplines) 

 

The wider bar allows for more control over the steering itself. You're able to be more precise in your steering input, as there's a larger arc that your hands move through in order to get the same degree of change in your direction (larger arc means more increments and more control, finer adjustment) 

 

The wider bars also free up your rib cage - enabling you to breathe more freely. This is a very large benefit to the average rider, who hasn't learnt how to adapt their breathing practices to make the most of the hunched, cramped positioning (nobody can doubt the breathing abilities of Thor Hushovd, Cancellara, Froome and so on, so there's clear evidence of adaptation to a stretched out and hunched over position when it comes to breathing efficiency)

 

A shorter stem also allows you to manipulate the front end more easily - lifting it becomes easier, as your bodyweight is moved further back (over the rear axle / BB) and this is also better for rapid direction changes. 

 

IMO it should be like that all over the MTB world. Shorter stem (nothing even close to 100mm) and longer top tubes, with wider bars. The bar width thing is definitely more of a personal choice. However - the stem is a definite fit issue. Top tubes are being extended, in accordance with the realisation that long stems are a no-no in MTB, as they hamper handling. It just so happens that if you shorten your stem, you should widen your bar, as it opens up your chest a bit more (shortening the stem cramps your chest a bit, so you need to widen your grip in order to counteract that change)

[Nayr]

Just as a matter of interest, the new Yeti ASRC (their xc bike) is designed with a longer top tube comes with a 60mm stem and 740mm bars standard, and as we know, they are far more handling orientated than lets say umm Spez. Personally I reckon the wider bar shorter stem set-up should even be more effective and comfortable on marathon rides, less movement through your arms will be far more comfortable i.e.. less effort, and how much direct turning is there versus leaning the bike through corners? *Obviously assuming your cockpit is the correct length...

[Wyatt Earp]

Just as a matter of interest, the new Yeti ASRC (their xc bike) is designed with a longer top tube comes with a 60mm stem and 740mm bars standard, and as we know, they are far more handling orientated than lets say umm Spez. Personally I reckon the wider bar shorter stem set-up should even be more effective and comfortable on marathon rides, less movement through your arms will be far more comfortable i.e.. less effort, and how much direct turning is there versus leaning the bike through corners? *Obviously assuming your cockpit is the correct length...

Where do you suck this hogwash out of ?

Bike geometry doesn't seem to be your strong point.

 

Really ? Mind blowing ........

[Bizkit031]

Where do you suck this hogwash out of ?

Bike geometry doesn't seem to be your strong point.

 

Really ? Mind blowing ........

Wahahahahaha geo 101.

[Jakkals77]

eish its going to be a long long long line at the pull you to pieces stand my friend. a few things to bear in mind as already stated by others:

 

• specialized dont rule the world!!
• most stock setups are set for cost and average performance.
• customization is a personal choice, so is steering and bike setup, not everyone is going to want to ride stock.
• your comment about the camber should take into consideration that its a budget spaz, even at its best compared to other models in the spaz family.
• physics says that a wider bar and shorter stem means greater edge movement to achieve the same movement from center point, this makes them less sensitive and gives a rider greater control and a more stable feeling through the steering. thats physics and Geometry 101.
• specialized dont rule the world!!

you seem to be a little highly strung, perhaps go ride your bike, calm down and stop assuming you are the only one with an opinion or the ability to be a keyboard hero, thrust me this place will eat you alive and there are many who will make you look like a complete **** if you behave the way you have been in this thread.

enjoy Monday!!

Dito my friend, dito. Especially when tails gets added to my experiences or opinions and certain post gets deleted.........Ag never mind, Im bored with these keyboard heroes as someone called it. Do as you like.