Stem Question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 160
Bikes: Windsor Fens '07
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stem Question
Hi guys,
Got my Windsor Fens '07 model. I selected the 60cm version and am glad I did. The only issue is it seems that while in the hoods, while my elbows are slightly bent, I don't think they are bent enough.
I noticed you can get smaller stems. The one mine came with is Ritchey Comp Threadless Aluminum 1.125 steerer, 25.4 clamp, how would I know how many MM's that would be so I can get a shorter one?
Also, I have about a 3" drop from seat to bars. I'm new and it's kind of uncomfortable, is this a normal amount of drop or is there something I can do to sit up higher? I'll get used to it if it's normal.
Thanks,
-Mike
Got my Windsor Fens '07 model. I selected the 60cm version and am glad I did. The only issue is it seems that while in the hoods, while my elbows are slightly bent, I don't think they are bent enough.
I noticed you can get smaller stems. The one mine came with is Ritchey Comp Threadless Aluminum 1.125 steerer, 25.4 clamp, how would I know how many MM's that would be so I can get a shorter one?
Also, I have about a 3" drop from seat to bars. I'm new and it's kind of uncomfortable, is this a normal amount of drop or is there something I can do to sit up higher? I'll get used to it if it's normal.
Thanks,
-Mike
#2
Former Hoarder
#3
Guinea Hood
Join Date: May 2005
Location: East of Shelbyville
Posts: 2,791
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bohh
... I have about a 3" drop from seat to bars. I'm new and it's kind of uncomfortable, is this a normal amount of drop or is there something I can do to sit up higher?
options for reducing that are to lower seat, flip stem (if applicable), and/or add spacers if you have any extra steerer tube?
if seat can´t be lowered without causing more problems, then another possibility is to replace stem with more rise?
__________________
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
Last edited by Ostuni; 06-09-07 at 07:20 PM.
#4
Guinea Hood
Join Date: May 2005
Location: East of Shelbyville
Posts: 2,791
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bohh
... how would I know how many MM's that would be so I can get a shorter one?...
__________________
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
Last edited by Ostuni; 06-09-07 at 07:22 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 160
Bikes: Windsor Fens '07
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies everyone. It appears, however, that the bike's stem has some degrees of up in it already, so flipping it will make it point down.
I've got the seat so that I'm on my tip toes when I'm standing. And my knee is slightly bent when the pedal is in it's lowest position. Lowering the seat at this point would be bad, or no?
I've got a few spacers on it right now. The way the stem mounts it has two clamping screws..if I put more spacers on it the top clamp will be just floating, is that bad? Only one clamp will be holding it on then.
Thanks a lot,
-Mike
I've got the seat so that I'm on my tip toes when I'm standing. And my knee is slightly bent when the pedal is in it's lowest position. Lowering the seat at this point would be bad, or no?
I've got a few spacers on it right now. The way the stem mounts it has two clamping screws..if I put more spacers on it the top clamp will be just floating, is that bad? Only one clamp will be holding it on then.
Thanks a lot,
-Mike
#6
Guinea Hood
Join Date: May 2005
Location: East of Shelbyville
Posts: 2,791
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bohh
...I've got the seat so that I'm on my tip toes when I'm standing. And my knee is slightly bent when the pedal is in it's lowest position. Lowering the seat at this point would be bad, or no?...
Bike fitting is a somewhat complicated and chaotic issue, but I think one of the standard rules is that when seated on the bike you should be able to keep your HEEL on the pedal at its lowest point with a slight bend in the knee... So it sounds like you may be able to adjust that down some?
Originally Posted by Bohh
... I've got a few spacers on it right now. The way the stem mounts it has two clamping screws..if I put more spacers on it the top clamp will be just floating, is that bad?...
Suggestion: Study up on bike fitting at wrenchscience.com or like most of us learn at the knee of the wise and powerful Sheldon Brown at harriscyclery.com
Maybe take bike to your LBS for a fitting session?
__________________
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
Tom Hagen: 'Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening. If your car could take me to the airport - Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.'
#7
5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Killadelphia
Posts: 1,229
Bikes: 2007 Fuji Roubaix LTD, 2005 Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bohh
Thanks for the replies everyone. It appears, however, that the bike's stem has some degrees of up in it already, so flipping it will make it point down.
If it is angled up already, you could also get a stem with a bigger angle (I believe +/-17 degree stems can be easily found).
#8
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Well...you don't want the top of the stem clamp to be more then 1/8" or so above the steerer tube. So max that out with the appropriate spacers under the stem clamp. Other then that, all you can do is go to a 17 degree + stem which is a good stem for an average cyclist without a lot of flexibility. You are on a 60cm frame so you are tall and possibly with long legs. This many times is in conflict with an average torso and a big drop to the handlebars which is uncomfortable for an inflexible rider in particular. If you want the bars up higher, consider a riser stem if that is your objective.