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Question about stem length and rise

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Old 05-06-13 | 07:57 AM
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Question about stem length and rise

So I just got my new frame and I love it,

However, I feel like I am locking my elbow's out and finding my neck start to hurt around 30k's into a ride.

I currently run a 120mm stem with a 6 rise. I was thinking about getting a 100mm with a 7 rise.

My question is, is this to small, a decent, or to drastic change? I know how much 20mm can make, but I have never messed with the rise of a stem before.

Thanks for the assistance.
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:08 AM
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Use this tool when playing around with reach and rise.
2cm will be a noticeable difference. 1 degree will not.
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:16 AM
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Wow,

That is an amazing tool! Thank you so much!
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:18 AM
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The diff between 6 and 7 degree rise for a 100mm stem is less then 2 mm.

Here's a web stem calculator. https://alex.phred.org/stemchart/Default.aspx

This one is good too, but seems not to be working: https://www.brightspoke.com/t/bike-stem-calculator.html
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:20 AM
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One thing I am not understanding is why is it saying the blue stem (the stem i am looking at with more rise) is saying that it is 7mm lower, wouldn't that be considered 7mm higher?

I get it now, I am a dummy... I wasn't playing connect the dots correctly.

However now my question is, because its 7mm lower, should that impact my neck pain? I am sure the shorter stem will help with elbows, but is that going to give a noticeable enough rise for my neck to straighten out?

Last edited by Sexy_Lugs; 05-06-13 at 08:25 AM.
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:21 AM
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I like it too. Even though things like this mean I'm slowly forgetting all my geometry formulas.
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Sexy_Lugs
However now my question is, because its 7mm lower, should that impact my neck pain? I am sure the shorter stem will help with elbows, but is that going to give a noticeable enough rise for my neck to straighten out?
Your torso may be more upright if your arms are not reaching as far forward.
A good way to test this is to bring your hands 2cm back from the hoods. A better way is to try out different stems, or one with an adjustable rise. Best is to go in for a professional fitting.
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Old 05-06-13 | 08:35 AM
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I will try that tonight, hopefully its enough of an adjustment. Thanks for the tip.
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