Changing stem length?
 

So I picked up my new bike (Scattante CFR Comp 58cm). I took it out for a quick 1 hour ride today and made some tiny adjustments to the seat. It seems to fit really well but the only issue is since I had to move the saddle back a bit the shifters are further than I would like.

While riding I kept moving my hands back to alleviate slight back pain I was getting and slight numbness in my hands.

Unfortunately the lower size to 58 is 55 which would probably be too small since I'm 6'0'' - 6'1''. I would have to get a completely different bike which would be a PITA.

I'm wondering if changing the stem from a 120mm to 100mm or even 90 might fix this issue I'm having?

Current stem details:
Alloy, ID: 28.6mm, -5 degree, Bar bore: 31.8mm, Length: 120mm(58/61cm)

Probably.....More than likely a 100 would do it. But didn't the guys at Performance help you with size and fit?
When you are on the hoods , where is the front axle forward of the handlebar, behind it or in front of it? A fair guide is you shouldn't see it. And what about stem height?

It might. Why did you move the saddle back if the reach is too much for you? Are you sure this was the right thing to do?

We can't really advise you on fit on the internet, especially without seeing pictures of you on the bike. You need to have someone look at you who knows what they're looking at. But yes, flipping the stem, or getting a shorter one, might work.

Unlikely that you should think about getting the smaller bike, though. The shorter headtube would mean that you'd have a bigger drop from saddle to handlebars, and that would give you a less upright posture and increase the pressure on your back and hands.

When I went in to pick up the bike the only person there to fit it was some kid my age. He was a nice guy but he just looked at me and in 2 mins adjusted the seat real quick. I told him thanks and just took the bike home.

- Adjusted the seat height so slight bend in knee when foot is all the way down. Had to move seat up a touch.
- When pedals are level to eachother I made sure my knee is in line with the ball of my foot. This is where I had to slightly adjust my seat since it was too far forward.
- Tilted the seat down a bit since it was at default level. It was slightly poking me and making me a bit numb in the area.

The seat finally feels good since I feel it more on my "sit bones" rather than the front area.

- Handlebar infront of axela bit. This is what originally made me think a shorter stem would fix the issue. As for the height I really don't know. I know the description says -6 degrees but I think it's inverted since it's got a slight rise.


This is what I thought.

the 120 is probably more intended for the taller guys with longer arms, that being said. If you have short(er) arms you probably need a smaller stem. But along those same lines, what is the reach of your bars? Take it back and see if you could swap it out for a smaller one(stem).

Why manufacturers think bigger components for bigger bikes is beyond me.

I hate to state the obvious, but yes, if moving your hands back 2 cm feels better, than a 2 cm shorter stem will feel better.

That's quite reasonable.

Most likely.

Most fit starts with KOM mentality (right or wrong), it's a relationship between saddle and knees. The idea is to get that correct so you don't have orthopedic issues. Then you adjust reach separately and independently of that, such as with stem length, flipped or not, bar reach, bar drop, spacer stack.

The OP is approaching it correctly. You don't adjust reach to the bars by seat position.

You get your position over the pedals dialed in by adjusting the seat. Then you adjust the reach to the bars as necessary once you have seat position correct.

[edit Menel beat me to it]

^^KOM? You mean KOPS?

anyway, yeah, you should call the shop and make an appointment with their most experienced fitter, and if they don't have one, try another shop - it's worth getting the fit right, and worth paying to do so. Especially if there is a question about if it's the right size frame, do this sooner rather than later, so you have half a chance at switching sizes if needed.

Haven't been riding long. Wanted to make sure I was approaching the problem correctly.

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Went to the LBS and got a new specialized stem 90mm. Amazing how that just changed the fit of the bike. No more hand numbness or lower back pain :)

Depending on how long you've been riding a road bike you might find you'll want to put the longer stem back on at some point...so don't put it on eBay yet.

agreed. im the same height as you and also have a 58mm scattante (but a different model). when i first built it up i used a 100mm stem. now i am using a 120mm.

I have a 2005 Scattante CFR in size 58.

I am 6'-1" with long arms.

I changed the 120mm stem to a 100mm and it was much better.

It's funny you posted this! I am 6'1", a bit big for a 56, so I am on a 58. But when my seat is set at just the right spot, I felt like I was reaching JUST a tad... So my local bike shop gave me a 100 to replace my 120 stem, and MAN what a difference... 10x more comfortable now. My bike shop just gave it to me for free, too.

6'1" + 58 bike + -20 stem = perfect for me. I would say my leg, to torso, to arm length is right about average all around.

Yeah, I thought about that. One of the reasons I was pushing for a new stem anyway was because the original 120mm stem is made out of some alloy. The site doesn't specify and it looks ****ty quality to begin with. Maybe in the future I'll jump up to 100 or 110 but doubt I'd ever fit a 120.

I have a feeling these bikes were designed by vertically challenged people who just wanted to be a PITA.

With all due respect to the people over there, they opened a store near us. We've heard stories from people coming in to buy bikes, who had returned them and came to us to get a properly fitted bike. Anyway, I wandered in on a Friday (the store near us is next to a huge shopping center) and there were three employees in the store with zero customers. Apparently they don't really give them any tools other than eyeballing the customer to get someone set up properly. I drove by on a recent Saturday while on my way home, three cars in the lot.
It's a nice store with beautiful displays. They opened a second store in town, same deal. And it was, of course, near our second location.
Plenty of business for everyone.

We have 2 stores here in town (they're both within 5-7 miles of eachother). The employees are very nice but their knowledge is quite limited. I asked a few of them if they ride and maybe 30% of them own a bike?

They just work with SUCH a large volume. After I picked up my bike I got locked out of my car and they let me sit inside. In the 2-3 hours I sat there I saw maybe 25 unique customers buying atleast 2-3 accessories each. The employees were ringing up the register like crazy and this was a normal day.

When I wanted to get a new stem I took it to my LBS and they were so much more laid back. They weren't pushy trying to sell me anything and really knew their stuff.

If I'm still cycling in 1 year I'm probably going back to buy a bike from them just because they were so helpful.