How to Measure Stems?
12-28-05, 08:56 PM
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How to Measure Stems?
I am 50 years old been riding since 18 and need to buy a stem bu gosh darn - how are they measured? I have just bought used bikes in the past and used what's on them, but now I find myself need to order stem and so I need to know how they are measured - from where to where? I feel dumb, but never had to know before. Please help with a simple response - thanks !!!!
12-28-05, 09:07 PM
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Clarify - measure reach - how to measure reach. Do I just measure from center of handlebars to center of steering axis of stem? Like on my Ritchey road stem it has not much rise - so is this how I measure for normal road stem with little or no rise?
12-28-05, 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by markwebb
Clarify - measure reach - how to measure reach. Do I just measure from center of handlebars to center of steering axis of stem? Like on my Ritchey road stem it has not much rise - so is this how I measure for normal road stem with little or no rise?
12-28-05, 09:39 PM
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The reason I ask - I have a 56cm bike with 56cm top and seat tube. I feel "cramped" and when climbing out of saddle my legs feel too close to the bars. If I measure c-c the stem is about 3.5" or 88.90mm - I would guess it's a 90mm Ritchey stem? So I figure if I order a longer stem like a 110 that will give me an effective increase of 2cm of reach, making it more like a 57cm top tube with a 100mm stem. I could go to a 120 and get 3cm more, but may try the .8 inches increase first, as 3cm is over an inch increase in reach.
Is this common - to increase stem length in order to get more reach and a little more stretching out "room" and eliminate that cramped up feeling? If I do this will this put my head and shoulders too far forward?
Is this common - to increase stem length in order to get more reach and a little more stretching out "room" and eliminate that cramped up feeling? If I do this will this put my head and shoulders too far forward?
12-28-05, 09:51 PM
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First, make sure your seat position is properly set up...saddle height, fore and aft postion, etc. Then, if you still feel cramped, lengthening your stem is the next option. A good rule of thumb: as you sit on your bike and hold the handlebars, the top of your bars should block out the view of your front hub. Good luck.
12-28-05, 10:00 PM
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Wow - it would take about an inch (maybe just less) when I'm on the hoods to block the hub, and a little over an inch when in the drops. The 120 stem would be in the ballpark I think.
12-29-05, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by markwebb
Is this common - to increase stem length in order to get more reach and a little more stretching out "room" and eliminate that cramped up feeling? If I do this will this put my head and shoulders too far forward?
. However, unless you're a pro and need to win races for a paycheck, I'd adjust your position more for comfort. Sounds like a slightly longer stem would be a good start. 
12-29-05, 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by EXCALIBUR
First, make sure your seat position is properly set up...saddle height, fore and aft postion, etc. Then, if you still feel cramped, lengthening your stem is the next option. A good rule of thumb: as you sit on your bike and hold the handlebars, the top of your bars should block out the view of your front hub. Good luck.
+1
Theres two ways to increase your reach. Move the handlebars forward or move your seat back. The first thing I would do is check for KOPS (knee over pedal spindle). See, https://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
It wouldn't actually be a good idea to fit a longer stem if infact your knee is way infront of the pedal spindle. If its not then by all means fit a longer stem however I would reccomend that you assess your saddle position first.
Regards, Anthony
