Is it possible to put a stem on backwards (I mean on purpose)
 

I am trying to remedy a reach problem on my bike and was wondering if a stem can be instlled backwards to cut my reach down. By reach I am talking about the distance I have to reach forward for the handlebars.

The only other thing to remedy this problem I can think of is to install handlebars with some rise/sweep and roll the rise/sweep backwards so it decreases my reach somewhat.

Of course, I could always buy a new bike, but the funding is not here at this time.

depends on the rise of your stem. if there's not enough rise the stem can't be installed backwards as it will hit against the top tube.

i'd rather get riser bar and sweeping it backwards, or get a shorter stem. putting a stem backwards will look and steer funky, even if it fits.

foehn- you can get stems with as short a reach as 50mm, which is pretty close to straight up. If you have a hard time finding one at your LBS, Harris Cyclery has some. Here's the link:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/head.html#stems
or, if you want to try bargain hunting, there are usually some on ebay. If you get a new stem, make sure you measure the diameter of your old stem and bars so the new one will work with your forks and bars. Good luck.

Well It's not the thing to do
 

Oh It'll work I suppose but there must be a reason for doing that?maybe to get more reach

or sounds like he wants less reach, eh?

Ive seen a guy with a reversed stem. He seemed quite happy with it, but he was also wobbling all over the road.
I would not recomend it. Short stems make the steering more responsive, and negative stems will upset your ability to lean into corners and generally balance the bike.
You can get variable stems quite cheaply. Often the come on mid-range hybrid bikes, and people replace them with lighter, stiffer fixed stems, so you may be able to pick one up cheaply.
You probably do have a bike which is too long. When you go looking for a solution, there are some pitfalls to look out for, but generally, you would get a make with a short design, + a smaller size. Dont forget the larger sizes of womens bikes as an alternative.
Short stems are available at reasonable price from 3TTT.

Sounds like the rig is to big. having to reverse the stem is a bit extream.

If you realy want to shorten the reach that much you could get a set back seat post put it in with the angle towards the front and use a 0 or 35mm stem and a riser bar.

:beer:

Backwards? Pointing at the rider? That would create the world's twitchiest-handling bike, not to mention problems with the bars hitting the TT or your knees in tight turns.

Yes, try a short stem and hybrid-type handlebars first.

This bike must be WAAY to big for you? Can you even stand over the top tube?

RichC

H3ll, you can get stems with 0mm reach! But seriously, it's a bad, bad idea to reverse a stem. Even with a 50mm stem, you'll notice the bike being twitchy. It sounds like you need a bike that fits you.

Thank you all for your responses.

My bike is a cheapazoid Giant Boulder, and I can straddle the top tube just fine. I have straight bars on it and I seem to ride with my arms pretty straight, although not locked.

I just want to keep the bars at the height I have and shorten the reach.

"You can get variable stems quite cheaply. Often the come on mid-range hybrid bikes, and people replace them with lighter, stiffer fixed stems, so you may be able to pick one up cheaply."

I have a variable stem already, but from what you all are saying, I don't want to reverse any stem, obtain a 0 mm (extension) stem and probably need stem risers to keep my bars at the present height.

Then again what sounds easiest at this point is to go the new handlebars route: bars with some sweep/rise angled back towards me to keep the height the same sounds like it might just work.

Thanks for the advice.

Whatisthis - a trick question? Sure man. Put the stem on backwards. Ride it. If you dig it, keep doing it.

...
 

foehn - it's your bike buddy.

The guys have already mentioned the options. I'll chip in and say that providing what you do is safe and does not put you at risk of injury, then adjust the bike to fit you. There is no universal setup and configuration that applies to everyone. We all do things to our bikes to make it fit us, not us fit it.

My wife has a degenerative problem with numbness in her fingers. We fixed it by taping some insulation tube (you might know it, a sort of thick tube you cut lengthways and wrap around pipes in the house). It looks really naff as her bar grips are now about 7cm in size. That adaptation goes against logic but it makes the difference as honeybunch can now ride and enjoy it, where before it was a painful experience.

you can also move your saddle forward as far as you can in the seatpost. doing that and getting a shorter stem should significantly reduce your reach. i'm sure you can find a used 50mm stem for cheap. jensonusa.com has a 45mm stem for $25+shipping. if you recent bought it from a store, they might be able to swap out the stem for you so it fits better.