Sometime going to a longer stem can improve fit; remember, when your hands/reach go out farther, your hips go back to compensate for balance (in essence, pushing you back in the saddle). You might want to consider that.

it looks fine to me.

I had a professional fitting. He said that my bike was the best size for me, but that my legs were longer and my torso and arms shorter than usual for my height. He recommended a 60mm stem, and I put one on my bike. It was a big improvement, and I have not had any handling problems. It looks different, and that could be a negative for some people, but since I am more comfortable, I like it.

It is possible that your saddle may be too far back. I went from a 100mm stem to 90mm stem during my BG Fit session and noticed no ill effects in handling.

Sorry, I am away from home and bike until the week after thanksgiving. I'll try to remember when I return. I know it is a very short stem but I haven't gotten any funny looks or comments from the people I ride with.

Wow. Ok.

I don't even know what to say.

Get a smaller frame next time.

Git her new from a shop going belly up got her for $1K the original stem was longer the shop switch it out and I was off.......bike is great only flaw is I have issues getting into drops...all else is great...

Ha! Typical BF lack of consensus.

When you consider that most modern MTBs are designed to be setup with a stem around 80mm with flats or risers, using a 60mm stem to run road bars makes sense if you wanna ride on the hoods or the drops much.

Of course they also have pretty slack head angles these days.

On the other hand a stubby stem on a road rig with a 73° HTA doesn't sound very pleasant to me.

Yeah, let's not put function over looks. That would be totally silly!

Perhaps not so much in this case, but often function and looks go hand and hand. Extreme stem angles, stem lengths and or massive amounts of spacers are not only stupid looking, but also show that the bike does not fit.

It does, but not in any important or significant way.

the reach on the S and M size frames does not change enough. I'll get to use a 1cm longer stem, woopty doo.


It's the same in 700c bikes. Sizes under 52.5cm don't make a shred of difference, because that's the smallest frame size possible.

Unless the frame's really small already and came with a 70mm stem from the factory.

I'd figure looking at a different frame size if you want a stem that makes more of a difference than moving to the next frame size. Say that you're on a size 60 frame that came with a 110mm stem, but you want a 90mm stem instead; maybe a 58cm frame would be a better idea.

But, of course, there are ways around it, as this thread is showing.

It will not impact control. It will feel different when you ride, so go easy at first, but your mind and body will quickly adapt and it will be a non issue.

I have long legs and shortish reach. 5'9, with a 54 frame, and 60 stem AND short reach ritchey bars.

Don't alter saddle position, you can introduce other issues such as knee pain, every fitter I have talked to have said I did correctly. Adjust saddle so lower body is in position properly in relation to crank and pedals. Adjust stem, bar reach positioning for upper body. Don't sacrifice lower body geometry for upper body reach.



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Have to differ with above opinions. I have an oversized old steel bike. Long legs and short arms like op. I have a look adjustable stem that actually allows me to bring the handlebars behind the post. I have tried riding all combinations and stability is decreased, negligably at first, as the bars are moved back. When in front of the post the bike is crazy unstable.

Having said that, the difference between 60 and 90 mm is minimal. The difference between 60 and the weird photo above is pretty considerable.

A shorter stem will handle faster IMO.

It's geometry. A given bar movement will turn the front wheel more with a shorter stem.

How much you notice or care about this will vary.

I think needing a stem shorter than 80 or 90 is a "red flag" for MAJOR sizing problems.

You can try to compensate for a poorly fitted frame by tweaking stem and saddle position, but these will be compromises at best.

Why do people get bikes that are not properly fitted??!??

Because I was young and stupid. Even more stupid was the fact that I suffered with said mis-sized bike for 30 years. Now that's really HTFU.

Of course they won't comment, because they know that there are actual repercussions when they try to act out their internet persona

Here I am thinking my bike looks silly with a 90mm.

If bikes look stupid with a 90mm, I'll never find a bike that "fits."

LOL! I want to see that bike posted in the "HOT or NOT" thread.