stem length. what's too long?
05-10-07, 02:08 AM
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stem length. what's too long?
at what general length of a "long" stem does it make a bike too squirmy? approximate
05-10-07, 02:32 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackTie
at what general length of a "long" stem does it make a bike too squirmy? approximate
05-10-07, 03:16 AM
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+1 for 100mm, although many folks swear by 110...
I'm not sure you're going to find a stem so long that it makes a bike "squirmy" to the point of being unsafe... generally any stem from a reputable company has been tested... there's a reason most seem to top out around 140-150, that may be what the industry has determined to be maximum safe stem length...
I'm not sure you're going to find a stem so long that it makes a bike "squirmy" to the point of being unsafe... generally any stem from a reputable company has been tested... there's a reason most seem to top out around 140-150, that may be what the industry has determined to be maximum safe stem length...
05-10-07, 03:23 AM
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I have 130mm stem riding on a 61cm frame. Not squirrelly at all.
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05-10-07, 04:10 AM
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Originally Posted by NomadVW
I have 130mm stem riding on a 61cm frame. Not squirrelly at all.
I have a 130mm stem on a 60 Cannondale, and it's a freakin' rocket.
Every day I come here and read stuff I can't believe.
It's about fit, a subject about which very few seem to know. People that have longer torsos and shorter legs might need a longer stem.
Last edited by roadwarrior; 05-10-07 at 04:16 AM.
05-10-07, 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by samsation7
You should aim for your stem to be between 90-120mm. 120mm+ means that the frame is too small. This is assumming that you have moved the saddle way back already. Generally, it's better(subjective though) to have a shorter stem for better responsiveless in handling. I've used a 140mm stem in the past and I would say it's dangerous in some sharp corners for stem to be that long. Not a bike guru but I've found 100mm to be the best compromise between reach and handling.
BTW...I couldn't tell you're not a "bike guru"...
05-10-07, 04:55 AM
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You would be fine up to 140. Lot's of other factors play into bike handling more then stem lenght.
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05-10-07, 06:13 AM
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depends on the frame size too. If you ride a 52cm your not going to want a 140mm stem but if you ride a 60cm it may be reasonable to have a 140mm stem.
It seems to be that...
90 is on the short side
100 is ok
110 is a good
120 is a good
130 is a good but longer
140 is long but will work
It seems to be that...
90 is on the short side
100 is ok
110 is a good
120 is a good
130 is a good but longer
140 is long but will work
05-10-07, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Turboem1
depends on the frame size too. If you ride a 52cm your not going to want a 140mm stem but if you ride a 60cm it may be reasonable to have a 140mm stem.
It seems to be that...
90 is on the short side
100 is ok
110 is a good
120 is a good
130 is a good but longer
140 is long but will work
It seems to be that...
90 is on the short side
100 is ok
110 is a good
120 is a good
130 is a good but longer
140 is long but will work
05-10-07, 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Turboem1
depends on the frame size too. If you ride a 52cm your not going to want a 140mm stem but if you ride a 60cm it may be reasonable to have a 140mm stem.
05-10-07, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
Yes...agreed
I have a 130mm stem on a 60 Cannondale, and it's a freakin' rocket.
Every day I come here and read stuff I can't believe.
It's about fit, a subject about which very few seem to know. People that have longer torsos and shorter legs might need a longer stem.
I have a 130mm stem on a 60 Cannondale, and it's a freakin' rocket.
Every day I come here and read stuff I can't believe.
It's about fit, a subject about which very few seem to know. People that have longer torsos and shorter legs might need a longer stem.
Gerry
05-10-07, 07:44 AM
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When I checked out the bikes at Paris Roubaix I saw one w/ a 170mm stem. It looked absolutely ridiculous and I can't imagine what the bike handled like.
05-10-07, 07:46 AM
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i've always read here that longer stems improve handling, is this true? i know that other things beside stem length contribute to handling, but i was just curious, because i want to go 10mm shorter on my next frame because i want to use a 10-20mm longer stem. right now, i use an 80mm stem, and i know that everyone here would say that's too short, but it think it's fine since i'm only 5'7" tall. my mechanic uses a 75mm, but he's shorter than i am and riding a 48cm Cannondale, so i guess that's about right for someone his height...
05-10-07, 07:49 AM
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Height by itself is meaningless. It depends on the person's body proportions.
Factors contributing to handling are the bike's wheel base, frame geometry, and rake/trail.
Factors contributing to handling are the bike's wheel base, frame geometry, and rake/trail.
05-10-07, 08:29 AM
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Height by itself is meaningless. It depends on the person's body proportions. Factors contributing to handling are the bike's wheel base, frame geometry, and rake/trail.
I think stem length preference is variable and shouldnt be determined to be too short or long based its measurements without factoring the measurements of the rider. Not everyone is alike and it is difficult to determine the right fit unless you are properly fitted for your bike.
05-10-07, 08:59 AM
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Small stems are for women.
Real men use 120-150 length stems.
Real men use 120-150 length stems.
05-10-07, 09:27 AM
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i don't get why people think a longer stem makes a bike more squirrely. the longer the stem the more stable the steering will be, not the other way around.
05-10-07, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Surferbruce
i don't get why people think a longer stem makes a bike more squirrely. the longer the stem the more stable the steering will be, not the other way around.
05-10-07, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by samsation7
You should aim for your stem to be between 90-120mm. 120mm+ means that the frame is too small. This is assumming that you have moved the saddle way back already. Generally, it's better(subjective though) to have a shorter stem for better responsiveless in handling. I've used a 140mm stem in the past and I would say it's dangerous in some sharp corners for stem to be that long. Not a bike guru but I've found 100mm to be the best compromise between reach and handling.
Many pros ride 140mm stems-stem length makes no difference to handling. Zero.
then there's the "100 is right" or "120 is right" nonsense. There's a reason why stems are 90mm-140mm.
The correct stem length is easy to determine. Once the correct saddle setback and height is determined by knee alignment over the pedal spindle, a good rule of thumb is that the front axle should align with the handlebar when you are looking down in the drops. For some racers, they prefer 10-20 mm longer to get lower on the bike.
It depends on the rider's torso length and the top tube length of the bike, you can't just say any stem size is the correct one.
05-14-07, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by DocRay
then there's the "100 is right" or "120 is right" nonsense. There's a reason why stems are 90mm-140mm.
That's right. It's not the size of the stem. It's the...oh, wait...
05-14-07, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Surferbruce
i don't get why people think a longer stem makes a bike more squirrely. the longer the stem the more stable the steering will be, not the other way around.
In a recent discussion about bike fit Kirk Pacenti suggested I try a shorter top tube (than the usual Fit Calculators and Rules O'Thumb suggest for someone of my dimensions) albeit with a longer stem; he pointed out that this would get more of my weight over the front wheel, which could improve handling.
I have yet to try it out, but it makes sense. But I can certainly vouche for the converse: a bike with a too-short stem definitely handles like crap.
05-14-07, 03:04 PM
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While we are speaking of stems... what is measured on the stem to come up with length? Is it the total length (including front "bracket" that holds bars and back behind headset) or some piece of that?
