Old 12-11-18 | 05:43 PM
  #12  
feldy0084
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Originally Posted by seeker333
One typically shortens reach with shorter stem, so yes, obviously this is one way to shorten reach on a bike which has a bit too much reach for a good fit. How long is your current stem, and can you go shorter? I cannot estimate stem length from your picture in #1 . If you have a 100mm stem you can find plenty of stems down to 70-80mm, but if you have a 60mm stem there is not much reach-shortening possible.

Another way is handlebar, which is a method you already employ to shorten reach (trekking/butterfly bar). I can't compare Jones bar to your current trekking bar WRT reach, as I cannot locate geometry information for these bars. You may need to visit a bike shop with a Jones bar in stock so that you can physically compare to trekking bar to determine reach. From images they appear fairly close, so my guess is there may be no advantage reach-wise.

I suggested Fargo as it has short reach/high stack as a function of the frame design (i.e.geometry). Choosing a bike or frameset with longer reach and then reducing reach with stem & bar to achieve desired overall reach is feasible, but the likelihood of achieving this goal is greater with a bike/frameset with a shorter effective top tube (ETT), as in the case of Fargo or similar bikes intended for use with drop bars. Drop bar bikes need a shorter ETT to compensate for the greater reach distance of the drop style bar. MTBs intended for use with flat or riser style bars typically have longer ETT because flat bars have shorter reach distance than drop bar. Drop bars have a reach specification of 70-150mm in front of stem center, meaning hands in normal hoods position for easy/rapid brake/shifter actuation. MTB 5-degree flat or riser bars will locate hand grip position 10-30mm behind the stem center. ETT of the frame and stem length have to make up this difference to achieve acceptable fit for a given bicyclist.

You need a fairly long steerer tube and/or steep stem angle to approximate current Vaya handlebar height, possible only with aluminum and steel steerer tubes, as carbon fiber steerer tubes are usually limited to only 30-40mm of headset spacers. All versions of 2019 Fargo appear to be speced with an all-carbon fork, so if you choose Fargo then you may need an older Fargo or separately-purchased all-steel Firestarter fork, depending on desired handlebar height.

Although Fargo is a proven off-road tourer with fat tires and relatively high stack and short reach, it may not be the best candidate for your particular needs. Troll, ECR, KM and DT come with steel forks with steerer tube adequate for your bar height needs, when purchased as frameset (complete bikes may come with shorter steerer tube), but these Surly offerings appear less suited for you WRT ETT/reach/fit.
I actually had to run a longer stem when I made the flat bar conversion (for all the reasons you about drop bar/ETT interplay). I believe the stock Salsa Guide stem that comes on the bike is 80mm and I am running a 110mm with the trekking bars. The new Fargo frameset is pretty pricey (the Cutthroat frameset is also 2 grand yikes) and yes I was aware that a carbon fork with stem extender was out of the cards. Anything else you can think of? As I said, I have regained some flexibility in the past 3mo, so I presumably could go with a slightly less upright fit and slightly less compact cockpit. BUT, my current setup on my Vaya is pretty darn cushy. I had absolutely zero neck pain, back pain, etc for the entire 2000 miles.

It's just very confusing with my lack of knowledge and all the mountain bike choices. It's like "a 27.5x3.0 tire will work for the Baja Divide...but a carbon 29er with 29 x2.2 and suspension is good for the GDMBR...but X bike is good for this." I totally realize there is not one perfect jack of all trades bike. But, it would be nice to find a mountain bike that may be versatile enough to do all these things "ok." I believe I have found that in my Vaya for road based pavement and light gravel applications.

Last edited by feldy0084; 12-11-18 at 05:48 PM.
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