Originally Posted by peripatetic
.... Q: Is it better to get a longer stem on a shorter bike, or a shorter stem on a taller bike?
Waddaya seasoned riders think?
I don't think there's any single answer that satisfies every rider/situation. Clearly, bike manufacturers have studied the body-types of their buying public and have developed a 'bell curve', and build frames to meet the needs of those near the center of that curve.....great for them. For those of us that live more on the fringes, fit becomes more of an issue and solutions to fit problems require some extra thought.
Many who believe they are casting aside conventional wisdom by riding a bike larger or smaller than they are "supposed to" are likely to be more fit conscious than even they are aware. That is, they have empirically determined what works for them, and in the 'big picture' fit game they are actually playing solidly by the rules ... just not realizing it. How can I assume this??? Easy, they say their bikes are comfortable.
The problem creeps in when these single reference points (say, what works for me) becomes generalized advice in the forum ... without appropriate caveats. My perfect bike has a slack seattube and a toptube longer than the seattube .... a la my Rodriguez. I know I can all but take a nap on that bike, it's so comfortable ... but that's because of MY body type. It might feel like riding "the rack" for someone else.
Take your case: You like to feel somewhat stretched out but are concerned about the standover height of the frame you would need to achieve it. Well a longer stem is one way to approach it but, if you have a high center of gravity because for example, you have a long torso (like me) or maybe you're built like Mr. Universe (not like me) then the longer stem approach will also shift your weight forward and maybe put undue strain on your hands/wrists/elbows whatever. If this is the case you may want to try moving the seat back instead. You'd get the stretch and the bike would be 100 times more comfortable.
I've harped on this fit stuff before but I feel it is important for a lot of riders. I always recommend buying a proper fit session. It's fun and incredibly enlightening. You leave with a chart that will help you in every bike/frame purchase you'll ever make. For those that live near the center of the bell curve, standover height is a pretty good indicator of the frame you need. For the rest of us it's just a bad joke.
Take care...
Jim