adam_mac84

My wife needs a shorter stem on her specialized allez (2004). The current stem is 100mm, and it says +8 and +15 on one side, and the opposite on the other. Is this some sort of adjustable stem without the ugliness of an adjustable stem?

She is going to go with 80mm and i was going to buy an adjustable stem so that we could get her in a more aggressive position as she progresses with riding (if she so chooses), but i was hoping for a little enlightenment on this particular stem that is on the bike.

Thanks all

operator

That is correct.

Specialized bikes come with their shim system that allows you to set the angle of the stem. See this page for a tiny bit more detail: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=41848

I would highly suggest not getting an adjustable stem, rather get your wife professionally fit and then swap in the appropriate stem. There is hardly a fit that cannot be completed without resorting to an adjustable. And we do a lot of fits, from rec cyclists to racers.

https://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...als/IG0239.pdf

adam_mac84

wow, epic google fail... it/s 8/16... not 15, that made a big difference

my (ex) favorite LBS will not fit her because i did not buy the bike from them. Bought it off of CL with very few road miles (guy was a realtor only used on a trainer for couple hundred miles verified by lack of any dirt ANYWHERE on the bike). for sub $400. Anyhow, there is a shop down the road about 25 min that will do a 'we'll do our best given what you have and are willing to spend' kind of fit. their motto is theyd rather have people riding than in pain and not riding, so they are willing to do fittings on peoples existing bikes

adam_mac84

btw, put her stem on my bike, just to see what it'd feel like a little bit shorter... WOW, awesome. I am going to take her stem apart again because it looks like i'll ahve to source a shim for it if i want to have the adjustability component (when i swipe it for my bike)

operator

What the ****?

**** that LBS. Our fits are free for people who purchase bikes, we charge for others but we still do them - Retul/computrainer fits as well.

adam_mac84

I asked him, "if i buy a bike elsewhere, can i bring it here and have you fit it as close as you can"... he's all, nope, we can't do a fitting on a bike that we didn't sell. I says, well, i honestly cannot afford 850 for an entry level bike at this time. I will tell you that my money is of the green nature.

its sad. my family has purchased over 20 bikes from this place over the years including 2 road race bikes for my dad at easily >$2k a piece. they have recently expanded to more stores, and they have lost that local touch. I just started working, so in order to get a bike for me and my wife, i am having to use CL or online purchases. that's how my financial situation is.. bottom line, but i was still wiling to pay them and trust them to get as close as they can...

guess ill go elsewhere for 2 pairs minimum of each (one for me, one for wife): helmet, gloves, jersey, shoes, shorts. Eventually computer clipless pedals (x1 set) etc.

Chris_W

I believe it is not possible to use this stem without the special shim. Therefore, you must already have it. If both of your steering columns are the standard 1 1/8 inch diameter then you should be able to simply switch it from one bike to another.