Hello to you,

Will appreciate your opinion on that

In the enclosed photo, the stem length (-17 deg.) is 120mm.

I got an S-works carbon **integral handlebars-stem** with a (-17 deg. too) 90mm stem.

Do you think I'll be good with this 30mm shorter one ?

Thanks a lot.
J

In your picture your arms seem to be at the right angle so I am not sure why you wish to shorten your stem. Are you currently getting pain while riding, if so where? We need more info in order to give a good response.

You look like a tall and fairly fit person.

In the photo, your position looks pretty good.

3cm shorter will definitely put you in a more upright position which puts more weight on the saddle.

Unless you have compelling reasons to do this, you probably shouldn't.

Thank you Doc V.
The reason I raised the qustion was mainly because I received (for free) this nice intgrated s-works bars and I wondered if I can use it in spite of the fact that it's a 90mm one.
I thought that my current 120mm stem is a bit (perhaps 10 mm or so) too long .
From your reply I understand that I better not change.
Thanks again.
J

Thank you andr0id.
I'm only 177 (frame is 54)
I guess what you and doc V suggest is right.
Will remain with current setup.
Thanks.
J

For Me, it seems when things were sorted out, in the position used most , line of sight looking down at the fork, the steering axis is end on.

Thanks fietsbob.

I was actually thinking the bike fit from the top tube only was a little small. If you were fitted for the bike, did you also try a 56cm? A larger bike may warrant a shorter stem, but not the one you are riding.

I look at:
- Line from eyes to front hub, if it passes well forward of the bar tops, stem (or top tube) is too short.
- Imagine rider is in the drops, forearms horizontal, body in a low aero position, really hammering, if elbows are well behind the knees (just overlapping is normal), then stem (or top tube) is too short.


By my rules of thumb, that stem + top tube is just barely long enough for you.

You could always try it out and see if you like it. I will say that your position on the bike looks good so long as your fore-aft of saddle has your knee in the right position. For help with fore-aft, Google Peter White and Steve Hogg both have good techniques for determining a good saddle position.

Oft-quoted I know, but be aware that for some of us, those two requirements are mutually exclusive. True in my case (short torso, long arms).

i have the 90mm stem

I use rules like that with caution. (In my day, it was, do the handlebars block the front hub axle?) A bike that is truly right, often yes. But most bikes? Adjusting the bars height/stem length/seat to achieve that "ideal" may well be moving them away from what is best for your body.

Ben

NB: At 68 my set ups move higher and the reach, nearer, and speed which I never was focused on, are even less meaningful.