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Zero Length Stem

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Old 08-17-23 | 04:35 PM
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It’s understandable that some people will ask “why” and up to OP to answer or ignore.

I am curious why he wants this too. But his choice if he wants to tell us.
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Old 08-17-23 | 04:36 PM
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For example, suppose I posted that I want a freehub body that will work backwards, ie I want to pedal opposite to the “usual” direction. An unusual request is going to trigger lots of us to say “why would you even want that?”
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Old 08-17-23 | 04:58 PM
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So basically this but without the 80mm length.
This part is used on recumbents so it's not going to help me.
(also, certainly NOT red)

[moderator note: removed political content]

As for the people who actually answer the question and confirm that 0 reach stems aren't the work of 'teh debbil':
I sincerely thank you.

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Last edited by StanSeven; 08-18-23 at 08:01 AM. Reason: Removed political content
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Old 08-17-23 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
I absolutely love the: "We're not going to answer your question so you need a whole new bike" response
The right answer is always "a new bike". Duh.
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Old 08-17-23 | 06:18 PM
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This thing has the hands close to in line with the steering axis.
Rumor has it that it steers fine.
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Old 08-17-23 | 07:04 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
Pretty damn close.
Still hard to get ahold of.

I appreciate a real answer.
Unlike the rest of these knucklleheads....
Seriously? Knuckleheads? Because you are trying a really bad idea and knowing how bicycles work we know that that short of a stem will not be good for steering and safety and generally if you need that there are fit issues on that bike.

I get that people want to think that because someone didn't validate their bad ideas they must be bad people but I can assure you we aren't. Saying you need a bike that fits isn't trying to be nasty towards you nor is it a political statement or anything like that it is literally telling you something you may not want to hear but you need to hear. Some people actually care about your safety despite your negative thinking that somehow we don't. I also understand an echo chamber can be fun but sometimes you need to hear something else.
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Old 08-17-23 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
I need a zero reach (length?) stem.
It's the one that lets the handlebar sit directly on top of the steering tube.
I know there are stems that have an adjustable angle but I don't want an additional moving part and they usually add 65-120mm of height and I don't need that.


I've tried several searches but I'm probably messing up the terminology.
Have you seen this???

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Old 08-17-23 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by squirtdad
IMHO it is more you really did not fully explain why you need a zero length stem and how you plan on suing it i.e need, design, expectation. opening up the conversation to speculation.

so my speculation is you have a super secret prototype handle bar that is still in stealth development mode that requires that type of stem
Originally Posted by datlas
It’s understandable that some people will ask “why” and up to OP to answer or ignore.

I am curious why he wants this too. But his choice if he wants to tell us.
Yep, but I'm a knucklehead for trying to help. Lesson learned.
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Old 08-17-23 | 11:10 PM
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Oh so close.
Made for a kid's bike.
Only 2 bolts for the bar and 1 for the clamp, but still close.
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Old 08-17-23 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
...

As for the people who actually answer the question and confirm that 0 reach stems aren't the work of 'teh debbil':
I sincerely thank you.

PeteHski
PDKL45
SkinGriz
icemilkcoffee
skidder
LesterOf Puppets

​​​​​​​You guys are the best!
You missed me. Post 12. But I'll forgive you.
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Old 08-18-23 | 12:20 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
I need a zero reach (length?) stem.
It's the one that lets the handlebar sit directly on top of the steering tube.
I know there are stems that have an adjustable angle but I don't want an additional moving part and they usually add 65-120mm of height and I don't need that.


I've tried several searches but I'm probably messing up the terminology.
Analog cycles carries some..

https://analogcycles.com/collections/stems
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Old 08-18-23 | 12:23 AM
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People tend to fixate on bike fit and other things, sometimes ignoring practical considerations like health. Providing yourself with a very upright position on a bike can have enormous benefits if, for example, you have a bad back, prone to slipped and/or herniated discs. In consultation with a chiropractor who is also a cyclist, I was told to get myself as upright as possible. The bent forward position works to alleviate pressure from some backs, but not mine and I was told in no uncertain terms that my bike fit was hurting my back, but that I didn't need to stop bike riding. You often don't need a new bike, or someone freaking out about your bike fit (if they're not your chiropractor), you need to adapt what you have to allow your body to be healthy. I don't know if OP is driven by health concerns, but there is nothing wrong with someone wanting to tinker with their own equipment to suit themselves.
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Old 08-18-23 | 01:05 AM
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There is this $10 dollar one:

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Hand...49&sr=1-2&th=1
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Old 08-18-23 | 01:35 AM
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From this page:

Crupi's I-Beam stems are CNC machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and are amongst the lightest stems on the market! The I-Beam features extensive external machining; the stem is visually appealing yet stiff and strong. The CNC-machined and embossed Crupi logo on the faceplate gives this stem its unique look.

The Crupi 0mm "No Reach" stem has 0 mm of reach, which means the stem holds the bars directly above the steer tube, making the bike's front-end length shorter.

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Old 08-18-23 | 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by abdon
That's more like 30-35 mm, but enduro stems like that are great with cruiser bars. Check CRC for the Brand-X version, which is about $15-20 abd comes highly recommended from me. I have one on my bike and I have had others, with no problems at all.
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Old 08-18-23 | 02:00 AM
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Universal Cycles has some. I'm glad someone mentioned motorcycles, and many "Downhill" MTB's have zero offset stems OEM. Increasingly, with the growing number of 29'er e-bikes, the zero offset stems will be de rigueur because those bikes are so damn big.
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Old 08-18-23 | 02:45 AM
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The only thing this thread proves is that people don't understand how bike steering works and what makes it stable. Has nothing to do with stem length. Zero length stems are a current fad in mountain biking, and I'm pretty sure mountain bikers need to be able to steer their bike. Someone mentioned the Pacenti P-dent stem above. Old news by now, but they were one of the first to offer really short stems. Only problem is you have to use their handlebars, so I imagine it will be short-lived. https://bikerumor.com/pacenti-p-dent...new-20mm-stem/

I had a related exchange on another thread where I offered to exchange free body diagrams (mechanical engineers should be able to draw an fbd) with anyone who thinks that stem length is an important element of bicycle steering. For some reason, nobody took me up on that. But one person suggested that the stem was required for the tiller effect. The the tiller on a boat has to be a certain length so the steering forces from the rudder can be counteracted by a person. For a bicycle, the tiller is the handlebar, not the stem
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Old 08-18-23 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
For a bicycle, the tiller is the handlebar, not the stem
Wouldn't it be both? (I could be wrong).
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Old 08-18-23 | 09:56 AM
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My road bike has bullhorns that put my hands a good 8-10 inches in front of the stem. That requires a little finesse to ride. the bike is stable but had to train myself to not pull sideways on the bars when coming out of the saddle. Almost went down the first time I rode it. No problems now.

My recumbent has the bars a good foot behind the stem.

Just modified my ebike with a stem riser and Jones H bar to get a more relaxed, upright ride. Getting old sucks. My hands sit probably an inch or so behind the steering axis.

When one thinks about it doesn't really matter where your hands are, they are still turning in a circle about the steering axis. In my experience having the bars in line with the steering axis make the bike more stable.
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Old 08-18-23 | 11:06 AM
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So many factors; it's really a "try it and see" thing. A big part is "what will the rider be doing?" The use case of "riding the boardwalk at the beach" is a lot different than "descending at 40mph" and a lot different than "snowy trails on a fatbike." While a modification may work fine for some situations, it might not be great for others. I imagine a Schwinn Sting-ray with frankenbike "double fork" extensions (think 15" of trail). That would be cool for riding around the cul-de-sac in the suburbs. Down a 7% two-mile hill at speed? Ummm, maybe not for me. This question of stem length seems very conditional on the use case. It's a pretty wide spectrum between "barely functional" and "truly optimal." User requirements do vary.
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Old 08-18-23 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Wouldn't it be both? (I could be wrong).
The stem only contributes significantly to the tiller length at unusual front wheel angles. When the front wheel is straight, the stem doesn't contribute to the tiller length at all.
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Old 08-18-23 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
The stem only contributes significantly to the tiller length at unusual front wheel angles. When the front wheel is straight, the stem doesn't contribute to the tiller length at all.
That makes sense to me.
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Old 08-18-23 | 12:13 PM
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Old 08-18-23 | 01:27 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Wouldn't it be both? (I could be wrong).
Only as far as a longer or shorter stem puts your hands closer or farther from steering axis.
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Old 08-18-23 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse


Oh so close.
Made for a kid's bike.
Only 2 bolts for the bar and 1 for the clamp, but still close.
In case I missed it.
What’s your use case?

For a road bike rider or hybrid rail trail type riding, this amount of clamping force seems perfectly adequate.

For someone riding downhill at a ski resort, it probably isn’t adequate.

Maybe if you and or bike are significantly heavier than normal it may also be inadequate.
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