Stem Length
 

Hi,

I'm currently riding a 55cm road bike with a 120mm stem and drop bars. I'm 5'10 with a 32" inseam. My most comfortable position is on the top of the bars. If feels pretty comfortable if I place my hands just behind the brake hoods also - but if I ride on the brake hoods I feel too stretched out. Everything else on my bike is comfortable.

If I use Dave Mouton's stem sizing trick, I have a 3cm gap between my fingertips and the stem.

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/20...rearm-and.html

So my question is if I measure the width of the grips on my brake hoods, its 4cm. Using Dave's method, I would guess my stem is between 2-3cm too long.

Any opinions on what I should do. I think maybe switching to a 100mm stem may be my first step (2cm). More specifically, I am wondering if people know what a 2, 3, 4 cm difference "feels like". Does a 2cm difference feel like a substantial change or does it feel like a more minor adjustment? If it only feels like a minor tweak, I may try a 90cm stem (3cm change).

Thanks in advance.

Just ride the bike.

Your body will adjust to the reach to the bars.

Those fitting "rules" are, at best, rough guidelines, and should never be taken as gosple. Only you know when you are comfortable. I'd try a 100 mm stem first and see if the improvement is enough. If you have (or get) a stem with a removable faceplate, changes are easy and you can try different lengths quickly. If you buy from an LBS they will let you try different lengths right at the shop.

BTW, how is your stem angled? If it's a down angle and reversable, try installing it pointed up as raising the bars may also make you more comfortable.

I disagree. There is no reason to be uncomfortable.

Its a vintage bike with a Cinelli stem. I'd like to buy another vintage stem of the same time period - otherwise I'd go to the LBS.

Stay home on the couch? There is no reason to endure purposeless discomfort. Riding a bike is always going to involve a degree of discomfort, some even say suffering. An appropriately fit stretched out position on lower bars is generally good for performance but may not be judged the most comfortable. With time and application, you can adapt and become more comfortable in that position. Of course if your purpose is not primarly performance oriented, you might accept a different compromise.

HTFU, or not, your choice.

I agree with your first sentence but not your second one. It's not and either-or choice.

Bikes are adaptable and a comfortable fit is more efficient and leads to better performance. Why do the pros go to such great lengths to be fitted "properly"? Being on a too long stem, having the bars too low, etc, isn't a measure of toughness, and certainly isn't a benefit to any rider, even performance oriented ones.

Stay in bed.

I'm about your size, and in my 20's, a 120 mm stem was right. A few decades and a back injury later, I find the 100's most comfy. I found a 100 Cinelli on e-bay--not cheap. Careful though, make sure you know the clamp diameter as older Cinellis are 26.4 mm and the rest of the world was 26.0.

BentLink, your perspective was helpful. This is my old racing bike from 20 years ago so I've been trying to figure out if I just liked to stretch out back then or if I actually shrank...

Its good to be back in the saddle after 20 years. I think I will take your and Hillrider's suggestion and try out a 100mm stem - I'll check my clamp diameter.

Thanks

You are probably less flexible than twenty years ago. I would do a few weeks of riding in the drops and on the hoods and possibly you'll get used to being stretched out. After all, the stem fit you once.

When I put modern brake levers on my PSVN (that have a more extended shape than the originals), I initially felt too stretched out on the hoods and my lower back hurt a little. After a few weeks it was fine and I rode 200 miles in a weekend without issue.

Or, if you do a bunch of flexibility exercises and yoga, you might find the 120 mm stem works again. As a side benefit, you'll have spent some months in the company of young women in yoga wear.

But if those approaches don't work or will take too long, there's nothing wrong with changing stems.

The "stretched out" look was popular with many budding racers back then, and your 20-years-younger body was more limber and able to accommodate that look. There's no need to suffer; vintage Cinelli stems in a variety of lengths and styles are abundant on eBay.

Stem length charts are just starting points. After that you listen to your body to determine the ideal length.

Too long a stem makes you feel stretched out, pulls you toward the nose of the saddle, and often causes stiff necks on longish rides.

Too short a stem, makes you feel crowded, especially if you try to tuck low when on the drops.

If you don't feel either reason to change, your bars are just right (or close enough to pass) right where they are.

My favorite check for stem length is to ride past a reflective store window, in my normal position. I note the angle my arm makes to the torso. I consider a 90° arm to spine angle about ideal. If I'm "reaching" up or down, the stem is too long or short respectively.

40+ years ago, a coach used this alternate method. Sit up in the saddle, close your eyes, reach out in front of you as you lean forward to find the bars. If you miss and hit your chin on the stem, the bar's in the wrong place.

I agree that 100mm is worth a try. You might also consider a Nitto Technomic which will give you more vertical adjustment.

get a shorter stem. try a 100 and if that's not short enough try a 70. I had a choice between a 56 and a 58 cm bike and needed the 58 so I would not have as great a drop from seat to bar and a 70mm stem made it a perfect fit. no reason to not be fitted as well as possible.

IME, not always, if it is too long or too short. The key word there is "too" you will not get used to it, plain and simple.