Originally Posted by
mooder
I took picture before and after change (before 100 mm 6 deg, after 80 mm 7 deg) but I cannot see any difference. Will I feel it? Some members here told me that 20 mm difference was comparable to two frame size downgrade. I have neck and shoulder pain that I hope I can fix by adjusting the stem length. If 80 mm doesn't help, should I try 70 mm or play with the angle to raise the handlebar?
I can't try my bike until next week-end... I feel the pain only after ~2hrs (approx 50km).
Truthfully, nobody can tell you that it will feel like a 2 frame size downgrade. Only your body can answer that. Try it out and see what it feels like. It may look similar but looks can be deceiving. I switched from a 100 to an 80 when I tore my hip. I just did not have the flexibility anymore. I had the surgery in November and have started riding again. As I have amped up my mileage, I have noticed that I am gaining my flexibility back. In a few weeks, I will go back to my 100 mm stem as I can tell that I am able to reach further on my hoods now.
Let your body tell you what it needs. Sometimes with injuries and age things within our fit change. We are less flexible and etc. It could be that you need to look at different bikes, geometries and sizes.