Ritchey 4 axis adjustable stem
#1
Thread Starter
Squirrelly
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Ritchey 4 axis adjustable stem
I have a 90 mm stem on my Cannondale quick four. I want to raise the handlebars up to take the weight off my hands and the Richie comes in 90, 105, 120 lengths. When I talk to Richie they said that you want to make sure that if you're raising the handlebars that the handling is the same so I'm wondering if the 105 or 120 lengths would be better to raise me up but not shorten the distance that might affect The handling. Does anybody have any experience with the four axis adjustables?
#2
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Columbus
I have a 90 mm stem on my Cannondale quick four. I want to raise the handlebars up to take the weight off my hands and the Richie comes in 90, 105, 120 lengths. When I talk to Richie they said that you want to make sure that if you're raising the handlebars that the handling is the same so I'm wondering if the 105 or 120 lengths would be better to raise me up but not shorten the distance that might affect The handling. Does anybody have any experience with the four axis adjustables?
Stem Comparison Tool
#3
Surf Bum
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 5
From: Pacifica, CA
Bikes: Lapierre Pulsium 500 FdJ, Ritchey breakaway cyclocross, vintage trek mtb.
Or you can try moving your seat back first.
__________________
Thirst is stronger than the rules. - Stars and Watercarriers, 1974
Thirst is stronger than the rules. - Stars and Watercarriers, 1974
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,094
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From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Saddle fore/aft position should NOT be changed to accommodate hand pain or other uncomfortableness.
Saddle fore/aft position is set purely by where your knees want to be. Nothing else.
If you have to move the saddle to make your hands stop hurting you bought the wrong bike.
Saddle fore/aft position is set purely by where your knees want to be. Nothing else.
If you have to move the saddle to make your hands stop hurting you bought the wrong bike.
#6
Surf Bum
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 5
From: Pacifica, CA
Bikes: Lapierre Pulsium 500 FdJ, Ritchey breakaway cyclocross, vintage trek mtb.
If he has to use a 90mm stem he's already bought the wrong bike. Or has very weak core muscles.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
__________________
Thirst is stronger than the rules. - Stars and Watercarriers, 1974
Thirst is stronger than the rules. - Stars and Watercarriers, 1974
#7
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,400
Likes: 106
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)
If he has to use a 90mm stem he's already bought the wrong bike. Or has very weak core muscles.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
#8
Thread Starter
Squirrelly
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
If he has to use a 90mm stem he's already bought the wrong bike. Or has very weak core muscles.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
There is a wider range of seat positions that do not trouble the knees than the KOPS staring point advice leads people to believe. The seat should be set so one's weight is supported by his legs and there will be no need to place any significant weight on the hands.
LOL, weak core muscles. What a tool!
#9
Surf Bum
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 5
From: Pacifica, CA
Bikes: Lapierre Pulsium 500 FdJ, Ritchey breakaway cyclocross, vintage trek mtb.
Who me? For suggesting that one should be able to bend forward from the hips at angle somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees without needing his arms to support his upper body?
Just try moving your seat back a little. Trust me. You don't need your arms to hold you up if you are balanced fore-aft on the bike properly.
Just try moving your seat back a little. Trust me. You don't need your arms to hold you up if you are balanced fore-aft on the bike properly.
#10
Thread Starter
Squirrelly
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Who me? For suggesting that one should be able to bend forward from the hips at angle somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees without needing his arms to support his upper body?
Just try moving your seat back a little. Trust me. You don't need your arms to hold you up if you are balanced fore-aft on the bike properly.
Just try moving your seat back a little. Trust me. You don't need your arms to hold you up if you are balanced fore-aft on the bike properly.
Last edited by phurley; 06-30-17 at 08:10 PM.
#11
Non omnino gravis
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 8,552
Likes: 1,739
From: SoCal, USA!
Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu
The flat-bar Quick 4 has a +12º 90mm stem. From the factory.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 845
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
A few years ago, I bought a Richie adjustable stem to feel better as I recovered from a broken fore arm. It took some weight off the arm for a few weeks till the arm got stronger. Even though I was wearing a brace for awhile, the normal stem angle caused some discomfort, and I didn't want to strain the repaired arm (plate + 6 screws). This was on a Specialized Allez. As I recall the adjustable stem didn't cost much (around $20) and was worth it to me. Give it a try. Specialized used to make adjustable stems using some kind of shims. My Roubaix has one, but it fits fine as is, so I've never messed with it.
Check ebay, lot's of choices, Richie and Specialized adjustables, $20 - $50.
Check ebay, lot's of choices, Richie and Specialized adjustables, $20 - $50.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 06-30-17 at 10:13 PM.







