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Choosing a new stem?

Old 07-26-09, 08:41 PM
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Choosing a new stem?

Hi folks, not sure where to post this question, but since I'm a clyde......

I've been riding the wheels off my '08 Specialized Sequoia. Yesterday I did my longest ride to date; 30.40 miles. Most of my rides have been around the 10 mile mark and this morning I did 13. I've started to notice a common theme: I usually ride with my hands on the hoods but I'm finding myself at times with my fingertips on top of the bar. This puts me into a more upright position and is really comfortable. Sometimes I'm in the drops but usually not for long. I like the upright position for just cruising but like to stretch out just a little when trying to build up some speed.

The stem on the bike is the stock Specialized and was flipped my the LBS to bring the bars up. How do I figure out what stem I need to bring the bars back and up so that my palms would be where my fingertips are? Length would be measured in cm but how would the correct angle (degree?) be figured out?

Thanks in advance!!
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Old 07-26-09, 09:50 PM
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I know exactly what you are saying. I have swapped my stem back and forth several times. i eventually went to the LBS and tried a bunch of different length and rise stems till I found one I like. I just recently went back to the lower rise, longer stem.
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Old 07-27-09, 07:55 AM
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Wow,

The million dollar question. Wish I had an answer for you.

About the only advice I can give you is to go with what is comfortable. I started out technical mountain biking, and my bars were always as low as humanly possible, for 2 reasons. It looked cool, and I was a lot younger. I have been road riding now for about 10 years, and have never figured out the bar stem combo. My top bar always feels too high, and slack, but the drops feel too low for extended use.

Look makes an adjustable stem(weighs about a ton) that I use to help get my wife dialed in, and once I find something she likes, I go match it up at a LBS to a lighter stem. Seems to work pretty well. It is about the only way I know of to easily experiment, but if I remember, it didn't come cheap.
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Old 07-27-09, 08:04 AM
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Well, there is an online stem geometry calculator available online. I just saw it last week.
Unfortunately, I cannot find the website anymore.
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Old 07-27-09, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Crabster
The stem on the bike is the stock Specialized and was flipped my the LBS to bring the bars up. How do I figure out what stem I need to bring the bars back and up so that my palms would be where my fingertips are? Length would be measured in cm but how would the correct angle (degree?) be figured out?
FYI, most Specialized bikes ship with their shim-adjustable stems. Your LBS should have given you the inserts that fit between the steerer tube and the stem to change the angle, or they should be able to supply you with the shims after the fact.

While there's probably a scientific way to determine which stem you need, I've always found it easiest to do it by trial and error. If you look at the chart that Specialized provides with their S-Works Pro-Set adjustable stem, you can see that height and reach adjustments are somewhat independent. If it were me, I'd visit my Specialized dealer and get them to help me swaps stems back and forth until I found a position that worked. If you need more adjustment than your stock stem provides, I've been a big fan of the Specialized Comp-Set stem.
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Old 07-27-09, 01:00 PM
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Thanks guys!
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Old 07-27-09, 02:26 PM
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If you want to experiment, get an adjustable stem to use until you figure out where you want to be. There are stems available up to about 40 degrees, and from 60-120mm but it is really difficult to imagine how high that will really put the bars.
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Old 07-27-09, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by c_m_shooter
If you want to experiment, get an adjustable stem to use until you figure out where you want to be. There are stems available up to about 40 degrees, and from 60-120mm but it is really difficult to imagine how high that will really put the bars.
I think that's what I will do. Ritchey seems to be the preferred adj. clamp of choice. Thanks!
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Old 07-27-09, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by lutz
Well, there is an online stem geometry calculator available online. I just saw it last week.
Unfortunately, I cannot find the website anymore.
Would this be the site?:
https://www.habcycles.com/fitting.html

I used this myself when I was researching stems.
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Old 07-27-09, 07:13 PM
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I wouldn't switchthe stem, I'd rotate the handlebaes up,as much as possible without losing grip of the brake levers. Then loosen the tape and slide the brakelevers up and as far back as possible till it's comfortable while maintaing good ergo so that you maintain good control.

Reson being is that most riding ins done onthe hoods. YOu can still reach the brake with a fingertips whiel on the hoods. YOu can't if yhou'reon top of the bar. Most cruising is done there.

Usually teh top of the bars is for climbing. Grip top of the bars and near the stem. Most confy postion to climb. Upright and chest open for oxygen.

If yougo to a shop, tell them you want them to slide the levers up and rotate the bars. They will knwo what you are talkign about, It wil lmake it more comfy. If not enough then spend money on a stem.

If they play dumb and say "what the heck is Mr. Beanz talking about?" then they are saps trying to take kyoru money.

Sorry, my tyuoing sucks!
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Old 07-27-09, 07:14 PM
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In oither words, ,your bars and hoods may be tilted down into a race psotition. They don't NEED to be there!
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Old 07-27-09, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Crabster
I think that's what I will do. Ritchey seems to be the preferred adj. clamp of choice. Thanks!
While I haven't used the Ritchey adjustable stem, I have used several similar stems made by other manufacturers. In my experience, they're heavy and they are either difficult to adjust or they don't hold very well. In addition, the Ritchey seems to be a bit expensive.

While Specialized's stems don't have infinite adjustment like the Ritchey, they're relatively cheap, light, stiff and hold very well. The 10-position Comp-Set stem had more positions than I knew what to do with...
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Old 07-27-09, 07:34 PM
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Ask the bike shop where you bought your bike from if they will let you try out stems for about a week to see what you like. My bike shop has some cheapie stems I think for just that reason. Nashbar or Ritchey also make adjustable stems that another poster mentioned. I also can't remember where I saw a document that showed different stem lengths and angles and how much that affected reach and such. If I find it I'll post the link.

To start off with, find out what your stock stem length and angle is as a reference. Also, when you bought your bike, were you in between sizes? Some manufacturers provide the same stem length and angle for bikes in a certain size range (i.e. 17 and 19 inch frames would both have 100mm stems and 5 degrees of rise or something like that).
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Old 07-27-09, 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by wnylogo
Would this be the site?:
https://www.habcycles.com/fitting.html
I used this myself when I was researching stems.
Wnylogo, this plot should work just as well. Thanks for the link.
What I looked at last week, was a online calculator, even with moving graphics. Certainly not necessary though.
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