Asking for stem recommendations please.
 

All,
I trust the 50+ gang for good advice and I could use some ideas on a stem for my R500T Cannondale. It currently has the stock Coda stem, and drop bars, with a traditional roadie "drop" angle. I have seen many bikes with stems that are angled upward and still use drop bars, whick I want to keep. As I age all of the back and abdominal surgeries make the young riders' position (and the more agile seasoned riders too:rolleyes:) somewhat painful. Even when I am holding the top flats or on the hoods I could use a slightly higher position.

Bike fit is good for me and I set up the saddle height, level and fore/aft position by using Lennard Zinn's book. I just need a slight adjustment. Any recomendations in a stem are greatly appreciated.

Bill

First thing you need to check is if your stem is one that has been recalled. Many of the quill stems were. You can do that here: http://cdn.cannondale.com/Manuals/20...ulletin_en.pdf

If you stem a threadless stem, why not just flip it over and see if it give you enough height. Do you know what the percentage drop is on the current one?

Any manufacture's stem would work. Look for the length you need and the angle. For angle, there are several "sizes". A zero degree stem is just that. It goes out perpendicular from the fork steerer tube, and there is not much that can be done with it. The other popular "size" is the plus and minus 6 degree (or sometimes 7 degrees). These are the stems that can be flipped. When "down", the angle of the stem approximates being parallel to the top tube. When flipped, it shoots way up higher. Look for one of these. Sometimes they will be advertised as 84 degree stems, (84 degrees plus the 6 degree offset gives you the ninety degree perpendicular to the fork steering tube). There is one more size, but I can't remember the angle. Also, there are adjustable angle stems available, but they are much more heavy than a normal stem.

I like Ritchy, but will probably go with Deda for my Pinarello build that has a Deda handlebar.

My C'dale is a 95 so it isn't on the recall list. Thanks for the info, though. The stock stem cannot be flipped (it is a fixed 0 degree stem.) I'd like something in about a 6 degree or so. Thanks for the quick replies and information. They help me a lot.

Bill

If you're asking about brand and model, all I can say is that I've been happy with Ritchey.

If you're asking about what length and angle, you need to consult the Stem Chart. It's a graphic app that shows where the bars move to with different stems. Figure out where you want your bars, input the existing stem info, then play around with the second stem until you get the measurements that place the bars where you want.

TSL,
Thanks much, the stem chart app is what I was needing. I want to have a positive rise in angle and slightly shorter reach. Be careful playing in trafffic:rolleyes:

Bill

I had a 1999 R 600 and did break the Coda stem. I was hammering the last hill leading into my subdivision and the bar just came off into my hands producing a WTF moment!

Velo Orange has a fix to your quill stem that allows the installation of a modern stem that may work for you. http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...m-adaptor.html

qcpmsame, is your stem quill or threadless type?

If it's a quill stem you can buy a Nitto in about any height you want. If it's a threadless and the steer tube is too short you can get an adapter (kinda mickey mouse) or buy a different fork, (BD may chastise me for that).

Hey Jarhead what's wrong with going to the local bike shop and having them give you a recommedation they may even let you try one out to see how like it.

BD, it is a quill stem with a welded miter joint. Phillip, the LBS is on my list for Saturday, can't go until then, big doins' at our family construction business as it it our 40th anniversary in business Friday. Saturday morning will be a trip into town for a look see and hopefully a purchase. I'll keep the Velo-orange adapter in mind too. Thanks everyone.

Bill

SemperFi brother and congratulations on 40 years in business!

Phillip,
Thanks and Semper Fi back. My F-I-L started the company in 71 doing rebar and structural steel. We are now a comercial and industrial general contractor doing mainly school and DOD work. DOD (primarily Navy/NAVFAC) is my department and Quality Engineer and Quality Control Program manager (certified as a USACE and NAVFAC quality engineer.)

We lost my Father in Law in May and now my brother-in-law runs the company, pretty well for a youngster, too. Enjoy the ride this weekend!

Bill

Nitto Dirt Drop If you want the best.

http://www.rivbike.com/images/produc...00_site_DD.jpg

BD,
That Nitto looks inviting, I'll check the LBS and see what they can do or have in stock, thanks much.

Bill