Stem length
 

I have had a Rockshox Duke Uturn XC fork fitted to my bike. This has had the effect of slackening the head angle to round 70 degrees the mechanic reckons. He has suggested I should shorten the stem length which will improve steering. Currently I have a 135mm stem and the suggestion is to fit a 100-110mm.

I find on tight twisting single track that it can be an arm wrestle getting round corners.

Anyone have any thoughts on this.

:crash:

going with a shorter stem will push you more upright. As far as steering goes you could run riser bars. If you already are then disregard that statement. Being more upright will not neccesarily make for quicker steering. I have a Breezer Jet Stream that has a pretty slack hea angle and the steering is legendary. There are of course frames that are designed for fork travel lengths, you should check into that with yours.

Thanks for the thoughts. Mechanic was quite adamant the shorter stem would quicken steering. But I guess there is more to it than just the stem length. I can see that being more upright would make a difference as well. With my present set up I do feel stretched out, probably a throwback to my road racing days.
So I am planning to fit a 110mm stem with 5 degree rise and see what happens.

go for a 80-100 mate, slightly better still :P
and a set of risers, cheap set will only cost you £15-£20 and will be fine for normal use so long as you dont do the odd cliff jump!

Thanks Dan. I am lusting after a Raceface Deus stem with 5 degree rise and really just need to decide 100 or 110mm. If I do a cliff jump I've cocked up badly somewhere! :(
A flat bar fan personally!