Shorter MTB Stems, your experience?

[Dru]

short stems and wide bars rock.  thats all

 

 

edit:  my history of bars and stems

 

long ago i used to ride 620 bars with a long stem (90mm) - it sucked

then I changed to a 50mm stem using the same bars - it sucked a bit less

then I bought a new bike stock fit with a 700mm bar and 70mm stem - okay...

a few months ago I changed to a 40mm stem and an 800mm bar (15 deg riser) - awesome!

 

every change that I made was a huge improvement, especially the last one!

Thanks, probably comes down to experimenting to find that sweet spot. 

[Ryanpmb]

Thanks guys! Quite the informative responses. I'm still trying to define my riding style while finding the perfect bike fit, so at that experimental stage where I need to find what works. Appreciate the input.

 

My 2c would be to start with fitment - what feels right on the bike. Then tweak and tune to what riding style you are demanding from the bike.

 

I'm surprised to see the Titan seems to come with a 660mm bar. Pretty narrow for a 29r these days. Although the one measurement they don't provide (or I can't see) on the www is the ETT?...

 

My suggestion would be a 700mm (or wider) bar and then a reduced stem length. Probably find they're running a 100mm stem so an 80mm or so would run well with a 700mm + bar. 

 

But it needs to be comfortable for you, first and foremost.

[Dru]

Watch this:

 

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Stem-Choice-Cockpit-Setup-2011.html

 

Changing stem length on its own: No. Finding a perfect combination between stem length and bar width: Yes.

 

The really short answer (pardon the pun) is that a shorter stem needs to be paired with a wider bar.

Agreed, seems to be the consensus on most sites I've checked on. Was gonna save the bar width debate for another thread as I would eventually like that somewhat shorter to give me a bit more control. 

I'm therefore assuming the shorter stem -> Wider Bar / Longer stem -> Shorter bar argument would suffice?

[Dru]

My 2c would be to start with fitment - what feels right on the bike. Then tweak and tune to what riding style you are demanding from the bike.

 

I'm surprised to see the Titan seems to come with a 660mm bar. Pretty narrow for a 29r these days. Although the one measurement they don't provide (or I can't see) on the www is the ETT?...

 

My suggestion would be a 700mm (or wider) bar and then a reduced stem length. Probably find they're running a 100mm stem so an 80mm or so would run well with a 700mm + bar. 

 

But it needs to be comfortable for you, first and foremost.

Thanks Ryan, there's times when I felt like that 660mm was too wide, but found that moving saddle forward or back slightly kinda changed that. Will get the exact size of the stem and play around with different stem lengths to see what works best. Appreciate the input.

[Dru]

what is your current stem / bar setup?

Will confirm stem length but the bar is 660mm

 

See spec sheet: http://www.titanracingbikes.com/Titan_Models_Overview.pdf

 

Riding the 29R Trail

[Ryanpmb]

Thanks Ryan, there's times when I felt like that 660mm was too wide, but found that moving saddle forward or back slightly kinda changed that. Will get the exact size of the stem and play around with different stem lengths to see what works best. Appreciate the input.

 

Then put your saddle where it's comfy to pedal and shorten your stem without widening bars at this stage... Go from there. Many LBS's will have some cheapy short demo stems to loan and try (obviously with the intention that you will purchase the final item from them...).

[dirtrider]

And to think I been grabbing the first stem and handle bar in my spares bin and build a bike and then have the cheek to cycle with this bastardized bike for many years . I better start paying attention . 

[Dru]

Then put your saddle where it's comfy to pedal and shorten your stem without widening bars at this stage... Go from there. Many LBS's will have some cheapy short demo stems to loan and try (obviously with the intention that you will purchase the final item from them...).

Thanks! Exactly my thinking. Was amazed at how big a difference moving the saddle made, so will combine that with different stem lengths to see what works. Actually found a mate who's got a few stems I could try out and see what works. Will leave the bars as is for now unless otherwise. Thanks.

[Dru]

And to think I been grabbing the first stem and handle bar in my spares bin and build a bike and then have the cheek to cycle with this bastardized bike for many years . I better start paying attention . 

Hahahahaha, good one

[Capricorn]

the problem with bike fits is that it's  a throw back from road cycling, and intended for seated pedalling efficiency. MTB'ing has evolved from the dirtroadie situation, especially with the growth in gravity based events. Where Toptube measurements once ruled, now Reach has become as important. Bike fitments don't cater for this.

 

Point is, know the limits of applicability of a recommendation. the internet is rife with well meaning sentiments sometimes unintentionally conveyed as a panacea.

[Grebel]

Only one thing that you need to be aware of when you pair that short stem with those wider bars...

 

When this happens:

 

http://nsmb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bike-fashion-thumb.jpg

 

Remember that extra width and spread those legs!

 

40mm on each side may not sound like a lot but it is the difference between a high five from your mates and months of shame as they reminice about your OTB or "almost" OTB.........

[Skott5]

only one thing that you need to be aware of when you pair that short stem with those wider bars...

When this happens:

 

http://nsmb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bike-fashion-thumb.jpg

 

Remember that extra width and spread those legs!

 

40mm on each side may not sound like a lot but it is the difference between a high five from your mates and months of shame as they reminice about your OTB or "almost" OTB.........

 

 

 

And check that your fork isn't locked out .. 

[Samurai Pizza Cat]

From Bikejames.com:

 

1) Having a long stem to help with climbing. This advice comes from the theory that you need to spread your weight out over the bike in order to keep your front end weighted while climbing. The problem is that this only applies to seated climbing and when you stand up with a long stem your weight gets pulled too far forward, making it tough to get your hips back to weight the rear end. Using a 50-60 mm stem will not only make it easier to get your weight in the right spot for standing pedaling but give you much better control of the bike on descents as well.

 

Here's the whole article:

http://www.bikejames.com/strength/3-common-bike-set-up-mistakes-that-will-sabotage-your-standing-climbing/

 

Some more info from Bikeradar relating to bar and stem length:

 

When it comes to fitting a wide bar, the first thing to understand is that bar width is closely linked to stem length. So as you add bar width you should also reduce stem length. For example, say you’ve decided to go from a 680mm to 700mm bar, and you have a 90mm stem – we’d suggest reducing stem length to 75mm. How about swapping from 680mm to 730mm? Try going to a 65mm stem, and so forth. Going even wider, to 750mm on a trail bike, you should plan on pairing the bar to a 50mm stem.