Length of stem question
 

If I exchange my existing stem of 110mm to a 90mm and I going to notice a huge difference? Fit will not be an issue as I will be getting re-fit as part of my 1yr adjustment program at my LBS.

Yes. Going from a 110 to a 90 is drastic and will change everything from back angle, closed hip angle, to where you sit on the saddle to hand pressure.

Why are you changing stems? Is the LBS as part of the re-fit? Or do you think the current one is too long?

i don't understand what you mean fit will not be an issue. 110 to 90 will change your fit. very noticeably too. i went from 90 to 110 and it's like a totally different feel for me. I went from very uncomfortable to very comfortable "all day won't hurt" feeling.

a) Yes, that's a big difference
b) Of course fit is an issue. Determine what stem to get when you get fit, not before

Wait I think you are getting confused. I'm saying that I would go and get RE-FIT after the purchase of the new stem. I wanted to try a 90mm to draw myself in more since I feel a tad bit stretched with the 110mm. I know the fit is a big deal, so I was saying don't worry about my CURRENT fit.

I'm saying what's the point of getting a stem then getting re-fit? Go get the fit, and determine which length stem at the fitting.

that doesn't make sense to me. you want to try 90 but when you go in to get re-fit, they might tell you to just go with 100 or stay at 110.

You are thinking that a "Fit" is merely an adjustment of the parts you have, when, in fact, a real "Fit" involves the selection of the parts you need to obtain the proper fit.

I have never heard of this before.....is it common to get re-fit**********

And, as others have noted, why exchange prior????

Ok well then I guess I'm confused because the guy that owns the LBS took a few measurements and ordered my bike in because he doesn't stock anything but cruisers. Then once the bike arrived he did my complete fit around the bike.

just wait a bit and see what he suggests.

yes, flexibility, comfort, etc changes as you ride more, and even from beginning to end of the season. so it's always good to get refitted.

don't buy anything until they tell you that you need it at the fit session.

then all he did was move your saddle and adjust your bar height. thats not much of a fit.

Wonder if the op got the right bike to start with.

Hey OP do you have a picture of your bike???

+1

yea get a re-fit and tell the fitter to use different stems (should have several stems) or one of those devises that allows for adjustments. Then go on with what stem length you need.

Depends. A good fitter can really help get you dialed in, especially if you don't know what to look for yourself.

However, the guy doing this "fit" probably doesn't fall into that category.

OP, why did you buy it from a guy that doesn't even stock road bikes? What would make you think he even remotely knows what he is doing?

I just bought a Cervelo. The LBS matched the seat position, bar height, and all that stuff, to match my current bike. They told me to go out and ride it the way I like, then come back with a bunch of miles under my belt and they'd fine-tune the fit according to specific complaints I'd find. They also said the fit is good for a year, so that I can come back in after a few months and say "I've been getting more used to X, and now ..."

I don't know that "re" fitting is all that common, but it should be. Some cyclists can do a lot of this themselves, and others can't. For me, there are a bunch of variables, and they all interact in ways that aren't always obvious to me. I've tried doing my own fit, but I just can't get them all right at the same time. It's easier to pay a good fitter; they'll do in an hour what takes me six months.

Note the OP said all the LBS stocks are cruisers. I doubt the owner is experienced in proper fitting of road bikes.

Its not really the length of stem that matters but how you use it.

I'd like to get fitted by a good fitter. I've tweaked my bike quite a bit and what I thought was great 3 years ago is sooo much better now. This include tweaking saddle height, stem length, handlebar type/size, cleat adjustment. Maybe I want to prove that I've done a great job myself but find it hard to want to shell out the mula for a fitting $$$ Then again, maybe I have it all wrong. All I know is that my performance is up and I can ride in my drops for a quite a while now.

Well locally he's know as a really good road racer and after talking to several people in the area, I was told to go directly to him for purchases. He told me the only reason he doesn't stock many road bikes is because his shop is only 600sq feet and it's easier just to order them in and if they don't fit, send them back. He did a 1.5hr fit and everything seemed fine. I think I'll go in, get the Re-fit done and pose my question to him and see what he thinks.

That's great that you were able to figure all that out on your own. Not every does, and they work themselves into uncomfortable positions and don't know why or what to adjust to fix it, or sometimes make it worse. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be so many "check my fit" or "fit advice" threads on BF.

If you are comfortable on the bike, have no pain, numbness or other "issues", and are happy with your performance, then there isn't much reason to pay someone for a fit. If there is some area you think could be improved, then a fit may be worth it to eek out some more comfort or performance. You can go beyond "the guy at the shop" and look into some of the dynamic fitting systems like Retul, etc.

So it's likely not as bad as it sounded earlier, but obviously not everything is fine if you aren't happy with some aspect of your fit. Of course once you get out and ride, you will feel differently than sitting on a trainer. Additionally, as others have said, your fitness may have improved, etc. Go back to the guy, talk to him about what you don't feel is right, and ask about different stem lengths. Since you bought it from him and he fit you on it in the first place, a "re-fit" should include re-evaluating any stem choices and swapping as necessary to get it correct.

My pro-fit took 3 hrs. A couple months later, I still felt too stretched out and went back for a re-fit (free). Got a 10mm shorter stem and that made a world of difference. Also, bring your cycling clothes when you get fitted. My initial fit, I was just wearing cargo shorts and was told I should have brought my cycling shorts - I did the 2nd time though.

Like everyone else is saying, don't buy a new stem until you get re-fitted.