2ndGen

Slammed Stems Thread

BmoreDrew

Thanks!

2ndGen

Here's some relevant info not found on the BF Thread:
Cane Creek IS41 Top Assembly

lechat

You can always go custom

alexaschwanden

^Nice Anodizing spacers!

lechat

uhh, it's paint.

Foblander

Just got my bike back from the lbs with full 105 5700 installed. I think my commuter is about finished.

before


after

Burglar

Sweet! Now kick back and relax with a Cup O' Noodles! I like the 5700 crankset in black. Maybe my CAAD10 5 needs one.

2ndGen

Mucccchhh better with the 105 AND black upgrades!

alexaschwanden

I finally reached 6000 miles on my caad10 today.

2ndGen

gevad 

Good for you!

Velo_Tut

Can someone explain to me why "slamming the stem" is held on such a pedestal? Sure it offers a more aggressive geometry and looks better, but why is it sooooo popular? Also, if I've been fitted for a 56 CAAD9 with spacers and I slam the stem, in theory, isn't my fit on the bike ruined?

NWS Alpine

Went to a really small but good local shop today for the first time to pick up a Lezyne super drive. Talked to one of the guys for about an hour about road bikes. I don't have one but have been thinking about getting into it. Needless to say I really want to go get fit for a 2012 CAAD10 5. I really like the white liquigas team color bike. The shop was small but awesome and they def know their stuff. The fit is going to be perfect. They de have that retul 3d system and a bunch of other stuff. They also sell Scott, Look, Guru, Parlee, and Independent. They had some incredible frames in the store. Need to sell some extra hobby stuff before I buy it though.

revchuck 

It's on a pedestal because that's what many pros do. They do it because that's what their fit calls for. It's a sarcastic, not-serious recommendation from some folks who know better and like to make fun of wannabes. For some amateurs, it's the right fit for them. For others, the fact that pro racers do it means it's the way all cyclists should do it, regardless of how much it hurts...and cycling is all about looks for them.

If your bike fits the way it is, leave it alone and ride it. If others want to denigrate your stem orientation, suggest to them that they perform an anatomically impossible act.

milkbaby

IMHO, it's stupid, just people who want their bikes to to look "pro" instead of riding fast and crushing souls. Having said that, I have 2 out of 3 main bikes slammed. The only one that's not slammed is because the stem is a little too long and slamming it (I have one 10 mm spacer in there right now) would extend the reach even further out -- the stem specifically matches the frame and costs $380, so I'm not in a hurry to replace it! I am light and flexible (under 2 pounds/inch of height), so I can ride all my bikes comfortably.

If you got a good professional fit, I would listen to your fitter. It is also said that your fit evolves over time and depends on your racing/riding season. If you go through an off-season, then you may not be as flexible as you would be when in better riding shape.

Crash716

No, THEY do it because they are willing to suffer to be faster. The fact is my bike is more comfortable with 20m of spacers under the stem, but, because I race i chose to lower the stem to be more aero, and faster. Sure it's not as comfortable as some of the bikes on here look but if you're not willing to be uncomfortable you aren't, or at least shouldn't be racing.

milkbaby

Niiiice! I really dig the look of the black 105 and especially the 5700 series hood/lever shape! Looks a lot like Dura-Ace or Ultegra now. My only problem is that I actually prefer the ergonomics of the 5600 hoods for riding even with the cables sticking out the side.

2ndGen

Popularity is relative. I can't speak for others, but for me, I love the looks and I love the
more aggressive position it puts me in and I am personally comfortable with a lower stem.

I was fitted to my 56cm with spacers as well. On a whim, I lowered my stem myself and found myself much more comfortable with the stem lower. Then, I went down as low as what I considered to be reasonable (11.5mm height/Cane Creek IS41 Short Top Assembly).

If you feel better with the lower stem height, then lower it to what you like and get re-fitted. Your LBS should just be able to look at you on the bike and make the adjustments on the spot in a minute or two (if even necessary). It takes me about an hour or two to dial in my personal fit when I've made some adjustment to my bike on my own (saddle, stem length, pedal purchase, etc...) then I pay attention for any spots where I can improve on as I ride.

2ndGen

Nice that you could find a great shop. That makes things a lot easier when it comes time to pull the trigger.
I don't know if you're coming from Mountain Biking or a Hybrid or what, but a Road Bike is a whole other world.
Once I got my first real modern road bike (an '09 Trek 1.5), I became instantly hooked.
Good luck with the CAAD if you end up going with one. It's a ridiculously great 1st RB.

NWS Alpine

I'm completely new to cycling. I just started commuting bi-modal to work. Now that I am getting great exercise I want to get into road cycling. I have a Trek sawyer that I just picked up as well. Converted it to single speed and some slicks. It's perfect weather year round down here and there are some nice bike routes along the ocean that it would be a shame not to get a proper road bike.

2ndGen

I lived in Miami & Orlando for a while.
It's roadie heaven there for guys who prefer flat land riding.
A road bike will take your fitness to another level for sure.

Pinkbullet3

You don't ride for yourself, you ride for others.

Foblander

Yes I know also like the know the phenomenon with slamming the stem. For the people who claim it feels better slammed, do you ride the hoods mostly or the drops? I will admit it does look good but if it makes it harder to ride in the drops I'll probably hold off on slamming it since I prefer riding in the drops.

I <3 Robots

Its all about replicating the pro look.

It all comes down to how flexible your body is, road conditions, how long your in the saddle. Alot of people claim that its more comfortable after a 10 second ride...that in reality...after about an hour...your neck is cramped, hands hurt, and your back is sore. You also come to realize how heavy your head really is! You should be able to ride for at least 30 mins in your drops...comfortably. I bet alot of the guys with slammed stems cannot ride for 30 mins in the drops without their neck cramping up...and you can usually tell who those guys are.

Your handle bar should be set at your lowest comfortable point...which is your drops.