Originally Posted by
ejewels
Hello All,
Happy to report I just completed a Trek precision fit with my LBS and led me to purchase a new Domane S5. The fit session went well and after all was said and done I ended up on a 56 with a 80mm stem (stock comes with 100).
After reading the interwebz it seems as though going to a smaller stem is frowned upon or may indicate a bike too big. I brought this up to the fitter and it was explained that the bike fit me better than the 54 all around and would require less modification for my perfect triangle/contact points than the 54 would have. I have more flexibility to tweak the 56 different ways. He said once my flexibility is better I may be able to go to a 90 or 100 stem. He reiterated that the stem is a fine tuning item.
Just curious if any of you have shorter than 100mm stems and do you like them?
I can tell you my experience. I bought a new Specialized Roubaix back in June 2013, and used it to commute 10 miles to work for a few years, factory stock. Then last year I started riding fun rides and races, culminating in a 68 miler in the rain. My perineum was numb a lot, my hands and shoulders became numb also. None of this mattered on the short 10-mile daily ride, but the longer I rode the worse it was. I forewent the offered complimentary bike fitting session when I bought the bike, because I was suspicious that the bike shop just used that to sell components, and I felt I could adjust my own saddle height. Well, last month I asked if that free basic fitting is still available. They said, "yes" and I'm glad I did it!!! The saddle was switched for a wider one, the stem shortened to 70mm from the 110 that came with the bike, the height of the saddle was adjusted, as was the foreward-ness and the level. The bars' rotation was adjusted. Also, they adjusted the brake reach. It feels like a dream now!!! I can't believe I put up with the discomfort I used to have. Yes, I did have to buy a new saddle ($100) and a new stem ($50). Still, well worth it. Anyway, sorry for the long-winded answer: The shorter stem is fine, and a better fit for me. If the saddle to feet distance is right, and the reach is right and the angles are right, it matters only a little the length of the stem (just my two cents). I know some people hate look of a bike with short, upward-angled stem, but they're opinion is irrelevant to my comfort while riding. Anyway, they can't see the angle of my stem unless we're neck in neck in the race, meaning the short stem makes no difference.
Geoff