SeanGrey Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Hey everyone, I sized up my Giant trance to a Large frame. Medium one was a little small after all. It comes stock with a 75mm stem I think. Changed out the bars to 750mm and they are great. Been for a proper bike fit and feeling comfortable on the bike. I enjoy single track, downhills and the occasional xc race for fun. My reach is set up and comfortable but what would you guys say about switching to a shorter stem? Dying to try a 50 or 60mm stem as I have read all the pros regarding them. Is it a big thing then sacrificing 1/2cm of reach maybe pushing my seat further back? Thanks for the advice
BaGearA Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 It will make the front end much more nippy/twitchy Ii will also make downhills a little more fun as your weight is shifted to the back slightly. Short stems are never a downgrade on a mtb
Tatt Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Long stems are for racing snakes... The shorter the stem the better as far as I'm concerned (I'm running a 50mm on my bike). If I get given the chance to buy another bike I'll go one size up and get an even shorter stem pretty much what you have done. Climbing will be a little harder. Tom
SeanGrey Posted October 5, 2016 Author Posted October 5, 2016 How do I get the reach right then? Apparently now set up well for my level of flexibility and feels comfortable but it's not like I could go Xl frame for a 50mm stem so do guys just have shorter reach than recommended?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 How do I get the reach right then? Apparently now set up well for my level of flexibility and feels comfortable but it's not like I could go Xl frame for a 50mm stem so do guys just have shorter reach than recommended?Pair the shorter stem with slightly wider bar. Loads of options. Reach (in the way the fit guys stipulate the measurement) isn't critical. What IS critical is getting the right size frame and then fine tuning the fit with a 30-70mm stem. Cheapest way to test a 50 is with a KCNC BEAR ARM. strong. Cheap. Available. Edit' wider bar will pull you slightly forward. But not necessarily required. Those bike fits optimise you for pedalling efficiency ie favour a road setup. Happy experimenting. I'm still doing it on mine. Changing to a high rise bar soon to keep my reach static but raise my car height. Just putting my bars higher on the steerer will shorten the reach as well
the nerd Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Pair the shorter stem with slightly wider bar. Loads of options. Reach (in the way the fit guys stipulate the measurement) isn't critical. What IS critical is getting the right size frame and then fine tuning the fit with a 30-70mm stem. Cheapest way to test a 50 is with a KCNC BEAR ARM. strong. Cheap. Available. "Listen to Mayhem" as they say!
SeanGrey Posted October 5, 2016 Author Posted October 5, 2016 Ok awesome, thanks very much! I already changed from stock bars to 750 so I think I can go down to 50/65mm. I do feel way more stretched out on the large so I'm sure it will make it even more comfortable! Thanks for the advice everyone. Cheers Myles will try that stem out was looking for a cheaper one to try out. Regarding your edit I could always then shorten my stem to 50 for all my riding and when I do an xc race I could just drop a spacer down for a bit more reach if need be.
SeanGrey Posted October 5, 2016 Author Posted October 5, 2016 Regarding your edit I could always then shorten my stem to 50 for all my riding and when I do an xc race I could just drop a spacer down for a bit more reach if need be.
popcorn_skollie Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Ok awesome, thanks very much! I already changed from stock bars to 750 so I think I can go down to 50/65mm. I do feel way more stretched out on the large so I'm sure it will make it even more comfortable! Thanks for the advice everyone. Cheers Myles will try that stem out was looking for a cheaper one to try out. Is it the over drive steerer?
AlanD Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 You see, this whole setup story is a bit iffy when it comes to stems and bars. I too went for a setup when riding cleats and they recommended a 660mm bar and 90mm stem which is all good and well and all angles match. Now, what hallens when you want to go woder bars and shorter stem? All those angles are put the window and you are then bot set "correctly". I went to a 780mm bar on my 90mm stem and felt like turning a bus but got used to the lenght of the bars. I then went down to a 60mm stem and it was awsome and felt good despite all the setup stuff that for me is more geared towrds racing and of course cleats. I then eventually settled on a 50mm stem with thw 780mm bars and it was awsome. Then i went to flat shoes amd pedals which was really tough at first but now, oh boy, now its awsome. I can put a foot out in a panic, haul ass around a corner with my foot out (at my speed) and put it where i want it, freedom. So what I'm saying is, dont be too hung up on the setup, that does not cater for the above and just try get a second hand shorter stem to experiment with and see how you go but be sure to give it a good few rides before deciding what to do. Sjo, thats my Randellas worth -
BaGearA Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 If you have flexibility issues get into a yoga class (you look stupid but feel 10000X times better than the people mocking you) A bikefit only gets you into a position that works with your level of flexibility wether you have a problem or not A Bikefit won't fix that. Rapide now also have shorter stems available at a very good price , and they are will maybe get 35mm ones soon as well.
AlanD Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Is it the over drive steerer?Aarrgggg, that overdive thing..i can only go 60mm on mine...OR..get a new fork with standard taper and upper heatset bearing and then run whatever stem i want...urrrmmm...ill stick with the 60mm...lol
AlanD Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Pair the shorter stem with slightly wider bar. Loads of options. Reach (in the way the fit guys stipulate the measurement) isn't critical. What IS critical is getting the right size frame and then fine tuning the fit with a 30-70mm stem. Cheapest way to test a 50 is with a KCNC BEAR ARM. strong. Cheap. Available. Edit' wider bar will pull you slightly forward. But not necessarily required. Those bike fits optimise you for pedalling efficiency ie favour a road setup. Happy experimenting. I'm still doing it on mine. Changing to a high rise bar soon to keep my reach static but raise my car height. Just putting my bars higher on the steerer will shorten the reach as wellI was also contemplating some highrise bars to get me a bit more upright. Interested to see how you go with those.
SeanGrey Posted October 5, 2016 Author Posted October 5, 2016 Iv got a 2016 giant trance so think it's not the overdrive 2 one everyone has issues with. My bar has a slight rise spank spike 777 bars trimmed to 750 awesome riding with them. Yea totally agree with the fit thing Alan also been set up with cleats and all that. Have my 510's with flats for the more hectic trails and love being able to stick a foot out. Flexibility wise I'm pretty sorted been doing sports and gym my whole life (28 yrs old) so I suppose maybe I have been put into a more xc race position as opposed to a normal trail riding one. Going to find a second hand one and try it out for a few weeks and see.
AlanD Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Iv got a 2016 giant trance so think it's not the overdrive 2 one everyone has issues with. My bar has a slight rise spank spike 777 bars trimmed to 750 awesome riding with them. Yea totally agree with the fit thing Alan also been set up with cleats and all that. Have my 510's with flats for the more hectic trails and love being able to stick a foot out. Flexibility wise I'm pretty sorted been doing sports and gym my whole life (28 yrs old) so I suppose maybe I have been put into a more xc race position as opposed to a normal trail riding one. Going to find a second hand one and try it out for a few weeks and see.Your all good with the overdrive, they dropped it in 2015. Yeah, as Skollie mentioned, Rapide have 45mm stem they just released at just over R300 ( can recall the exact price) which is a great option. Can ways sell it of you don't like it ☺
V12man Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Pair the shorter stem with slightly wider bar. Loads of options. Reach (in the way the fit guys stipulate the measurement) isn't critical. What IS critical is getting the right size frame and then fine tuning the fit with a 30-70mm stem. Cheapest way to test a 50 is with a KCNC BEAR ARM. strong. Cheap. Available. Edit' wider bar will pull you slightly forward. But not necessarily required. Those bike fits optimise you for pedalling efficiency ie favour a road setup. Happy experimenting. I'm still doing it on mine. Changing to a high rise bar soon to keep my reach static but raise my car height. Just putting my bars higher on the steerer will shorten the reach as wellRapide have a new short stem too - under r400
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