Stem length
06-01-16, 07:38 PM
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Stem length
I just found this fitting guide:
The Science of Bike Fitting | CyclingTips
I was VERY septic. I already did the fitting for the saddle height and position (145-155 knee angle + pedal axle in front of the knee). I checked and surprisingly, the guide got it right for the saddle position & height. Since I never played with the handlebar positioning, this trick is of great use as I don't need to do any measurement. I actually have ~95 mm stem. With the hand "trick" I should have something closer to 130 mm.
I have neck pain when riding after ~ 2 hrs. My neck is like always compressed and I would like to try a new set-up. I live in Canada and MEC is a great seller of outdoor stuff. They have some adjustable stem but none them are 130 mm (nor do they have in stock 130 mm stems). The longer adjustable one they have is 110 mm and bad looking as shizzle.
First, I wonder how true is this measurement. Secondly, my stem height is far from respecting the 3 fingers "rule"... it is more like 6-7 fingers. Got narrow fingers but even with larger ones it would still requires 5. There's like 3 rings that I suppose rise the stem. How easy is it to reduce the height?
Would you get right away a 130mm stem? The most popular seem like 6 degrees.
The Science of Bike Fitting | CyclingTips
I was VERY septic. I already did the fitting for the saddle height and position (145-155 knee angle + pedal axle in front of the knee). I checked and surprisingly, the guide got it right for the saddle position & height. Since I never played with the handlebar positioning, this trick is of great use as I don't need to do any measurement. I actually have ~95 mm stem. With the hand "trick" I should have something closer to 130 mm.
I have neck pain when riding after ~ 2 hrs. My neck is like always compressed and I would like to try a new set-up. I live in Canada and MEC is a great seller of outdoor stuff. They have some adjustable stem but none them are 130 mm (nor do they have in stock 130 mm stems). The longer adjustable one they have is 110 mm and bad looking as shizzle.
First, I wonder how true is this measurement. Secondly, my stem height is far from respecting the 3 fingers "rule"... it is more like 6-7 fingers. Got narrow fingers but even with larger ones it would still requires 5. There's like 3 rings that I suppose rise the stem. How easy is it to reduce the height?
Would you get right away a 130mm stem? The most popular seem like 6 degrees.
06-01-16, 07:44 PM
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06-01-16, 07:55 PM
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What makes you think you need a longer stem? Going from a 95mm stem to a 130mm stem is huge, you're effectively extending your ETT by 35mm (assuming the same degree rise), which is nearly jumping up two frame sizes in terms of ETT. A longer reach won't make your neck comfort any better and if anything, will make it worse since you'll be less upright and more stretched out. Neck comfort has more to do with head position and conditioning. I would recommend first trying to look through the top of your eyes instead of cocking your head upright so your neck isn't at such an upright angle.
Edit: I guess it was an April's Fool joke. I didn't really read the article though, since for every 10 experts you have on bike fitting, you have 10 different opinions on what is correct.
Edit: I guess it was an April's Fool joke. I didn't really read the article though, since for every 10 experts you have on bike fitting, you have 10 different opinions on what is correct.
Last edited by Xherion; 06-01-16 at 07:59 PM.
