toneb

I'm going to get a carbon stem to go with my FSA K WING bar. I'm 5"9 and my pants inseam is a 30 I currently ride a TREK MADONE 5.2SL size 56 with a 110mm stem. Sometimes I feel a little streched out so I'm thinking of going with a 100mm stem, does this sound like it's a good tradeoff? By the way I dont have a long torso but don't know the meauserement.

3MTA3

i'd say it sounds like a good idea.

LtSPD2000

Worked for me....I did the same switch out.

acape

I wouldn't drop the cash on a carbon stem until you try a 100mm first to make sure it's going to be what you want.

toneb

What meausurements are you?

biker128pedal

That's just one centimeter. A little more than 3/8 inch. Why don't you just ride around with your hands purposely back farther. I know the reach to the hoods or the levers in the drop is then farther but cruising along you can see how stretched out you are at no cost. Also if you flip your stem up the effect is up and back slightly if the bar is a few inches below the saddle to begin with.

Adgooroo

I agree that it might make sense to try a Performance (or other store brand) alloy stem before you drop the big money on the carbon version - or even shop for a used one - people are always selling the ones they don't want when they make the same switch you're planning. Might as well take a look at the weights while you're shopping, too. Alloy stems often compete with and beat carbon for light weight.

nitropowered

See if your shop has a Salsa Size-o-matic stem. You can try out the shorter stem length on a trainer and see if you like it.

toneb

I'm going to give this a shot today.

toneb

Funny you mention that, when I removed the OEM one it felt lighter then a FSA carbon stem but since I have the Carbon bar just wanted to finish the set.

merlinextraligh

It's virtually impossible to tell anything from your height, and the frame size. Too little information (for example we don't know how long your arms, are, how flexible your back is, and how you like to ride.)

Very general rule of thumb:, riding on the hoods, the handlebar should obscure the front axle. If the axle is in front of the handlebars, your stem may be too short. If the axle is behnd the handlebars, the stem may be too long.

toneb

I'm going to try this, thanks.

Ryleeryno

Funny you mention it... your height, inseam, and Trek frame size are identical to mine. On my 5000 I run the FSA K-wing bar with the FSA k-force 100mm stem. The fit is perfect for me because of my longer torso but the top tube is very close to the jewels.

littledjahn

Another one, courtesy of Greg LeMond: with your hands in the drops and your pedals at 1 o'clock - 7 o'clock, your elbows should be ~1 1/2" from your knee.

Getting properly fit couldn't hurt, either.

ridethecliche

So, flipping the stem helps by allowing you to get lower while still maintaining the same pedal:seat angle right?

I'm considering this because I like to be able to lean over a little and touch the ground with my feet but I don't feel stretched out enough when I ride.

The mm measure of the stem is the distance from the start of the stem to the handlebars, correct?

Hmm...

toneb

Sounds like a good tip I'll give this a shot as well.

toneb

What size frame do you have?

oilman_15106

But try to get the angle of the stem close to the carbon one you would like. $15 might be well spent.