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What's the deal with ultra-long stems in the pro peloton?

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What's the deal with ultra-long stems in the pro peloton?

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Old 07-01-11, 12:28 PM
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What's the deal with ultra-long stems in the pro peloton?

These are just comical

Basso's


A. Schleck (140mm!)


Cancellara's old bike



So what's the deal? Everyone's on a small frame for weight savings perhaps?
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Old 07-01-11, 12:32 PM
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Smaller frame = shorter head tube = more aggressive riding position. Also means a shorter wheelbase for quicker handling, and a slightly stiffer/lighter frame. Although weight is less of an issue since just about all of these bikes have weight added to get up to the UCI minimum.

Only on BF would elite professional cyclists' equipment be called "comical."
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Old 07-01-11, 12:35 PM
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Did you ever consider that yours is too short?
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Old 07-01-11, 12:39 PM
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duh, everybody knows its directly related to penis size..........
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Old 07-01-11, 12:43 PM
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No, the stem is right. Apparently my frame is too big.
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Old 07-01-11, 12:44 PM
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Cancellara's new stem. Not comical at all.
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Old 07-01-11, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Smaller frame = shorter head tube = more aggressive riding position. Also means a shorter wheelbase for quicker handling, and a slightly stiffer/lighter frame. Although weight is less of an issue since just about all of these bikes have weight added to get up to the UCI minimum.

Only on BF would elite professional cyclists' equipment be called "comical."
Forgive the novice. They don't know any better.
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Old 07-01-11, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Smaller frame = shorter head tube = more aggressive riding position. Also means a shorter wheelbase for quicker handling, and a slightly stiffer/lighter frame. Although weight is less of an issue since just about all of these bikes have weight added to get up to the UCI minimum.

Only on BF would elite professional cyclists' equipment be called "comical."
this.

I have to admit I want to tell Basso to level his saddle. He's the first pro I've seen with it nose down. I'm sure he'd laugh at me.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by HMF


Cancellara's new stem. Not comical at all.
Very cool artwork on that stem! What's with the dice theme and cycling? For some reason, my new Cinelli Experience frame has a single die making up the rear brake bridge.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by AndyK
Very cool artwork on that stem! What's with the dice theme and cycling? For some reason, my new Cinelli Experience frame has a single die making up the rear brake bridge.
Must be some kinda Las Vegas Spartacus theme goin on.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:04 PM
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Maybe it's the "life is a crap shoot" analogy?
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Old 07-01-11, 01:12 PM
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Or he likes to play Dungeons and Dragons....
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Old 07-01-11, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Or he likes to play Dungeons and Dragons....
He would need a dodecahedron instead of a cube in that case.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:37 PM
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I could use a 140mm stem
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Old 07-01-11, 01:37 PM
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I use a 135mm pro cavendish sprint stem and I love it. It might be my favorite component on the bike for the styling and it allows me to lurch incredibly far forward in a sprint to get full extension and recruit more glutes into the downstroke. It also allows me to ride a 53cm bike instead of 55cm at 5'9" and save on weight and wheelbase.

If you think these are comical I would suggest riding a new S5 and telling me how you like a short stem on that gigantic headtube. You'll be riding one size down in no time.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:37 PM
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My stem is 120 how big is yours?
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Old 07-01-11, 01:39 PM
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Lay em on the table boys.
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Old 07-01-11, 01:51 PM
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Riding my bike is the only time im glad i have a short stem.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:02 PM
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table? you might have to get two tables out for me.

150mm. from the floor.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Or he likes to play Dungeons and Dragons....
These are pro cyclists, not computer engineers.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by itchyfinger
My stem is 120 how big is yours?
140. I'm a tall guy with a long torso. Still a Fred though.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:13 PM
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-17, 135mm of extension. 11-12cm of saddle to bar drop. I need all the aero advantages i can get

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Old 07-01-11, 02:15 PM
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100mm but flipped for her pleasure.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:17 PM
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He only has a 2d6+2 Stem of Untimely Low Self-Esteem. It's most useful quality is to help you wear the yellow jersey for the first three stages. Then you sink back into the peloton.
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Old 07-01-11, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by HMF
Cancellara's new stem. Not comical at all.
Sorry. That artwork looks like 2 balls and a dick. If you can't find comedy in that ...
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