Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Stem length for bullhorns

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toosahn
04-26-11, 03:53 PM
I know that it is recommended that one shorten his/her stem length when switching to bullhorns. Right now, with my only option being ordering from the internet, how much shorter should I go? Thinking on average. Right now I comfortable ride a 110mm stem with slightly swept back risers (stock IRO stem and risers). Should I go 1, 2, 3, or 4cm shorter?
For reference, the bullhorns I am going to use are Syntace Stratos'.
Danke.
jpaschall
04-26-11, 04:06 PM
I was running a 110mm with drops + hoods, then switched over to a 90mm stem with my Stratos bullhorns. It's good for me.
I'd just try the bar out with your stem, then adjust if needed.
illdthedj
04-26-11, 04:16 PM
you want an at least 160 mm stem...total max aero positioning for mad street cred
hairnet
04-26-11, 04:19 PM
Hellz-to-the-yeah
http://www.owenphilipson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/62224859.jpg
striknein
04-26-11, 04:20 PM
you want an at least 160 mm stem...total max aero positioning for mad street cred
In other words, we can't tell you how your bike fits. Trial and error, brah.
dignandag
04-26-11, 06:34 PM
I was unsure about this as well.
Chanced it with a 90mm stem to some nitto rb-018 bars and was perfect.
yummygooey
04-26-11, 07:18 PM
I would drop 20-30mm since bullhorns will make the point of contact with the bars both lower and more forward when compared to swept back risers. Even still you'll obviously feel more stretched out if you make a habit of riding on the horns.
youngandcurious
04-26-11, 07:26 PM
You might not have to change as far becuase stratos have a backwards sweep to them.
longjohns
04-26-11, 07:43 PM
I ran a 70mm stem with rb021's and it was perfect. When running drops I run a 90-100mm stem.
carleton
04-26-11, 07:59 PM
In other words, we can't tell you how your bike fits. Trial and error, brah.
+1
toosahn, if you can't spend time to go to a bike shop and try some stems for size, then you will have to spend money and buy all of them till you luck up and get the one that fits.
toosahn
04-26-11, 08:30 PM
+1
toosahn, if you can't spend time to go to a bike shop and try some stems for size, then you will have to spend money and buy all of them till you luck up and get the one that fits.
True. I've already been to one shop and found that they had limited selection and/or none of the sizes I needed.
I was trying to get a ballpark to make an educated guess. I'll probably spring for a 90mm with the 83/97 rise.
Thanks for the help!
I went from Bullhorns and a 80mm stem to Major Taylors and a 110mm stem
evilcryalotmore
04-26-11, 10:37 PM
rb-021 with 95mm stem, works fine for me.
adriano
04-26-11, 11:28 PM
dont go shorter.
toosahn
04-27-11, 12:49 AM
dont go shorter.
could you qualify that suggestion? why?
to update, I've tried 'em with the 110mm stem and they feel great, but I imagine the reach could get tiring over more than 15 minutes of riding.
hairnet
04-27-11, 01:03 AM
I've tried 'em with the 110mm stem and they feel great, but I imagine the reach could get tiring over more than 15 minutes of riding.
So you rode with it for under 15 minutes? Go ride it for an hour really get a feel of what you need to do next.
toosahn
04-27-11, 01:24 AM
I think since the neck and back pain started to creep up a bit in those 15 minutes, that it's safe to say it'll be worse around the hour mark :)
hairnet
04-27-11, 01:54 AM
:[
Scrodzilla
04-27-11, 04:53 AM
to update, I've tried 'em with the 110mm stem and they feel great, but I imagine the reach could get tiring over more than 15 minutes of riding.
Who rides their bike for more than 15 minutes???
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/2/4/129097919576083989.jpg
adriano
04-27-11, 08:12 AM
youre still improving your conditioning. i wouldnt worry.
illdthedj
04-27-11, 09:35 AM
Who rides their bike for more than 15 minutes???
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/2/4/129097919576083989.jpg
you guise actually RIDE YOUR BIKES???
http://toguritraining.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Intersection_hipster.jpeg
i just pose for pictures with mine.
vw addict
04-27-11, 10:14 AM
I just push mine to Starbucks
toosahn
04-27-11, 12:59 PM
Who rides their bike for more than 15 minutes???
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/2/4/129097919576083989.jpg
not all of us have the luxury of an extra hour a day or miles of bike-friendly road to just jump on and go at a whim.
I'm not saying that riding for pleasure is not possible in urban environments (far from it), but my day is often compounded with work and classes and this means no time or energy at the end of the day to head out for a long ride.
anyways, this is besides the point. As most of my trips are around the 15-minute mark (again, urban environment), it's a good guage for me to estimate comfort.
I'd say start at 80mm. I run an 80mm with rb021 and if you need it to be longer rebuy. At jensenusa you can find stems from 6$ and up
adriano
04-27-11, 02:52 PM
my trusty adjustable stem comes in handy here.
vw addict
04-27-11, 03:56 PM
or detachable penis
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