Aeolis

Ive heard flipping your stem all over this forum but I have no idea what it actually means. Could someone shed some light? I would ask this on the road cycling section but most of them are prentenious ******** and would never answer me.

Also slamming your stem is another one that I always hear but have
No clue about.
Thanks

dramiscram

Good one, I always wonder when I read this. I'm guessing that it mean putting your stem on the other side, angle down, so that the handle bar will be lower. But again, just guessing.

Aeolis

I'll further speculate that the reason is to gget more aero. On the other hand won't tthis cause more sstress on the wrist and hands? Hopefully someone can jump in here.

This thread should be used for all the terms experienced cyclist use tthat newbie don't understand lol. How bout when someone says they put out 300 watts. What the heck are they talking about?is riding a bike a new form of alternative energy or something?

theextremist04

Stems usually have some amount of rise, usually a few degrees (they aren't perfectly straight.) Flipping it means literally flipping it from the stock position (which is usually the relaxed position where it raises the bars) to the position where it lowers the bars. Slamming the stem is removing all of the spacers from between the stem and the headset and putting it in the lowest position possible. It does usually make your position more aerodynamic, and yes, less comfortable. Once you're comfortable on a bike though, you can make adjustments like that with it still being rideable.

And Aeolis, watts are simply the SI unit for measuring power. When you're pedaling a bike, you're producing power, and buying a power meter to monitor your output is one of the best ways to train.

ahsposo 

^^^Yes. Of course this is possible only with a threadless steerer. The rise on quill stems is fixed only the height is adjusted.

And I disagree about the comfort. After I flipped my stem my ride was more comfortable. I still have some spacers under it so I haven't slammed it.


Sorry I don't have a shot with the stem in the non-flipped position.

ahsposo 

Here's a video you may find interesting.

Cobb can be a little extreme but what he says is correct. Rotate your pelvis forward and use your back to take weight off your hands for comfort on the long haul.

dramiscram

Really nice bike!!!

Aeolis

Man I can't figure out how to lower the stem and or take off spacers. I took both bolts off with Allen wrench but this thing won't budge!

Berg417448

Did you remove the top cap?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuTxugV6yY

ahsposo 

Thank You. I like it.

treadtread

I went through a similar search, and didn't find anything, so I put up a post:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...pping-the-stem

Aeolis

Ha wow I'm an idiot. Thanks all set now. Gonna just slam it for now and flip it later if I feel it
Necassary. My bike is already aero according to the name but this won't hurt. Hopefully this will shift some weight to my arms as my butt has been killing me on mmy new bike. I'd out the giant ssaddle on it but then the colors won't match up

Retro Grouch 

It's REAL important to put everything together correctly.

1. Position your stem and any spacers. LEAVE THE STEM BOLTS LOOSE.

2. Install the top cap. Tighten the top cap bolt so that both:
A. if you rock the bike while lolding the front brake you don't feel a tick.
B. If you lift the bike the fork will flop by itself side-to-side.

3. Now make sure the handlebar is aligned with the front wheel and tighten the stem bolts. Alternate and walk them down a little bit at a time. Then need to be snug but they don't hold the whole bike together.

ahsposo 

^^^Excellent advice.

theextremist04

Also, if you're new to the road cycling game, I wouldn't go changing anything without getting some fit advice- it's easy to look through the picture threads and stuff, but a lot of the guys there with super-aggressive positions didn't start anywhere near there.

ahsposo 

This is not true, BTW. Members that ask a real question that they've tried to research on their own using google or the forum search function and haven't had any results generally get really good advice. I know. This is how I found these forums.

Or noobs that don't have an attitude like you, and respectfully ask for advice, get it. Supposing of course their question makes any sense.

Aeolis

Ha well I just assumed they wouldnt bother with such a basic question. Don't really have an attitude and I'm glad I asked it here as everyone's been very helpful.

GaryPitts

So if you're older and not so flexible, how do you get past the neck pain from looking to see where you're going when you ride in such an aggressive stance?

ahsposo 

Not everybody has the "A" back style Cobb talks about here. He does a video for what he calls the "B" back style with a chunkier rider.

I'm 60y.o. and don't ride as aggressive as this video by a long chalk but I do have my hips rotated forward enough so my back is flatter and weight is off my sit bones. I am probably more of a "B" style back. I started riding like this in my early 40's and it made a lot of difference in my long distance comfort. It did take some getting used to and some effort to change my riding habit.

Something you have to realize about this style is that you use some of your back's inflexibility as kind of a spring to take weight off your hands. It's your lower back that will really talk to you at first when you get this right but as you adapt it gets real easy.

hyhuu

Generally speaking, you don't. Hip flexibility can be improved a bit but neck's, not so much. It's specially worse for shorter people because they are already low on the saddle to start with.