Road Cycling - stem length

I am going to have to go with a shorter stem to perfect my fit on my new road bike. I am definitely planning on taking it to a reputable shop to let them determine the correct length; however, I need to know before I purchase.. the drawbacks of going with a shorter stem especially if it is shorter than 90 mm. Also, what would be a good alternative to the deda Elementi Zero that's currently in place.. Not looking to break the bank however. Thanks

If it "perfects the fit", I'm not sure that I see the problem. The fit is the thing.

Perhaps someone else can shed some light on this, if there is light to be shed.

There is such a thing as too short,(like maybe 2-3 cm shorter than what the bike came with) and that may mean wrong frame size or it might mean out of ordinary body proportions on a frame that is about right.

I use an 8cm stem on a mid-sized frame with no problems. You can get shorter ones, but the steering can get a bit lively. Last week I saw an old guy riding a bike with a reversed stem!! He was wobbling all over the road.
Im not sure a bike shop can help you chose the "correct" length. There is no formula for this dimension, you use what feels right.
See
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Dont forget you can move the bars up as well as backwards. If the bike shop can lend you an adjustable stem, then that could be useful.
I like 3TTT stems, they are made of quality forged Al, and are excellent value.

The web site at wrench science has a detailed bike fit section, with clear intructions. If you take your meaurements, and input the values, you'll be provided with an "overall reach" number (The sum of effective top tube and stem lenth). Subtract the length of the top tube on your current frame from this reach number, to get the length of your ideal stem. (If you don't know your top tube length, it's not difficult to measure with a metric tape).
http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/User/default.asp
Register at the site (it's free), click on "road bikes", then click on "get fit".

If you do some additional stretching, especially the "touch your toes" stretch, it will make you more comfortable on the bike, and may make you perfectly happy with your current stem.

I used to think that my 80mm stem was too long, and I had trouble finding anything much shorter. After having started a stretching regimen, I am now quite comfortable.

Also, raising the bars will achieve the same thing (at least as far as your position is concerned, including the aerodynamics--at least for the most part).

Cheers,
Jamie

wish it was just due to stretching.. I believe I'm fairly limber I stretch about every other day and place palms on the floor... my stem now is 110 so I believe it just needs to be shorter... oh yeah.... raising the bars....? you mean loosening the front of the stem and rotating the bars around?

Originally posted by thomspins
[B.. oh yeah.... raising the bars....? you mean loosening the front of the stem and rotating the bars around? [/B] Well,no not really as there is only limited latitude for that before it starts to look like street people on their old sears roebuck 10 speeds. Raising the bars is RAISING the bars.Somewhat simple with a threaded HS and a long enough quill on the stem, so it can besimply loosened and moved up and down.Sometimes more difficult if you have threadless and the stem is flippable for more rise,but is already flipped.Solution is a riser stem of headtue extender.Neither the best soultion.

Well, if you can do palms on the floor with parallel and straight legs, then more stretching won't help.

I was assuming that you were using a quill stem that would permit easy raising (not turning the bars around). Only after posting did I think, Duh, he might have a newer set-up and not be able to raise the stem. Well, Pokey gives you a couple of options.

To give you a point of reference, the top of the bars should be somewhere between level with your saddle and 2 inches below it. Some folks go with quite a bit lower because they want the aerodynamics.

I would say, however, if you are within that range, then shortening the stem is the way to go. If not, then start with some method to raise the bars (like a different angled stem).

When shortening the stem, you may find that just a couple of centimeters makes a big difference. I changed to a handlebar with 2 cm less reach (front to back), I was amazed at the difference.

Come to think of it, maybe you have handlebars with a long reach. I think that my old bars were 12.5 cm (which may be close to "standard") and my new ones are 10 cm. I measured it as the horizontal distance between the front of the furthest point in the downward curve in the bar and the front of the straight part that passes through the stem.

The problem with this is that manufacturers rarely post this information. You have to measure new bars in the store. The easiest way to do this is to push the curved part of the bar against a vertical surface, and then measure the distance between the straight part of the bar and that surface.

And, yes, this will have the same effect on handling as shortening the stem.

Good luck,
Jamie

Hi,
I almost always deal with this with a new bike. Your LBS should be able to get you a Mtb stem that is about 80cm but has about a 45 degree (or steeper!)angle. That should help. A few spacers under the stem should finish the job. If it doesn't, exchange the bike for a smaller size.

Originally posted by late
Hi,
I almost always deal with this with a new bike. Your LBS should be able to get you a Mtb stem that is about 80cm but has about a 45 degree (or steeper!)angle. That should help. A few spacers under the stem should finish the job. If it doesn't, exchange the bike for a smaller size. MTB stems have a different clamp diameter than current road bars,and it usually is not recommended to mix the two.There are riser stems available with the correct clamp diameter.

I think a trip to the LBS will solve my probs. I think a 90 or 80 stem will be the right length.

Hey you all. I googled "80mm stem", and the link to this forum was one of the first. I just got my bike fit at the sports medicine place in Boulder, CO, and the fellas there told me to buy an 8 CM stem. I am having difficulty finding one for sale. Any advice? 9cm is the shortest sold by Performance bikes, for example. Thanks. John

not sure what kind of bar you are using, but you might also want to consider a bar with a shorter reach.

Hey you all. I googled "80mm stem", and the link to this forum was one of the first. I just got my bike fit at the sports medicine place in Boulder, CO, and the fellas there told me to buy an 8 CM stem. I am having difficulty finding one for sale. Any advice? 9cm is the shortest sold by Performance bikes, for example. Thanks. John

I know Thomsen makes them, as does deda.

Thanks a lot, you all! I went with a Torelli stem. They made what I need: 80 mm with a 17 degree rise. Thanks. John

I use an 80mm stem on my Torelli although the stem is not a Torelli. It's perfect for that particular bike. I have a 90 or 100mm on my other backup. Both are comfortable to me.

To OP: Two suggestions when talking to your LBS.

They may have a bunch of stems for trial use. If you commit to buying the final stem from them, they will be happy to let you try different sizes and angles. If you do this, my suggestion would be to do at least 3 or more rides before you decide how it feels. You might find that something that feels odd at first settles in nicely.

They also may have a "fitting stem" that they can put on your bike and let you ride the trainer (usually not road worthy). They can adjust the reach and angle and let you ride for a while between adjustments. For me, I really did feel a "sweet spot". They then gave me a stem of that angle and length from their stock of loaners. I road with that for a week or so to make sure I liked it (did) and then bought it. Next step, now that I've had it for about 500 miles is to flip it (it's up now, I will flip it down). I might also go back to them and ask to try the longer stem again now that I'm more fit and flexible.

PoppaSpoke thanks for the bike fit site. It confirmed my purchase of my first road bike. I am still "dialing it in" and am going from a 100mm stem to an 80mm stem which i felt i needed and the bike fit system site confirmed that. I will be getting the replacement from Specialized for about $40. (TAKE NOTE jdetrana)! I currently have the stock 12 degree Comp-Set and am very happy with it except for the length. An added bonus to this stem is the "adjustable angle sleeves" included with the stem which allows for a more custom fit. I have mine set at -16 degrees (-4 degree sleeve).

PS This is my first post after joining because of all the helpful posts by the community. Thanks!:thumb:

PoppaSpoke thanks for the bike fit site.

You realize that was from 6 years ago?

yeah, i did, thanks. I figured it could be of some use to someone reading it now. as it was for me.

yeah, i did, thanks. I figured it could be of some use to someone reading it now. as it was for me.

It's bad form to gravedig old posts.

At least they searched?

It's bad form to gravedig old posts.
Not trying to be a smart a** but why?

not sure what kind of bar you are using, but you might also want to consider a bar with a shorter reach.

Good idea in some cases. I tried this approach as well, but would only recommend to riders with smaller hands. My hands are large enough that bars with a 75-80mm reach were very uncomfortable, so I went back to bigger bars.