New Stem v New Frame
 

without getting into a thread like this or this I wanted to see if getting a new stem is the right answer for my current issue.

I am slowly coming to the realization that a great deal notwithstanding, the super pista I picked up is a tad to small at 51cm (53 or 55cm would be ideal) My San Jose was 52cm and I thought it would be ok. The only thing that bothers me about the bike are the drops being much to low for my liking. I was hoping to find a positive rise stem (didn't want to have to flip one upside-down) to put some bullhorns thereby elevating my riding position. I have not found anything that fits that need. Any suggestions before I contemplate selling the frame and picking up a new one?

There really isn't a difference between a negative or positive rise stem, except for maybe that the logo is upside down. I would suggest using a positive rise stem (flipping over a negative stem) with a longer length than what you currently have. Bullhorns will also help, but don't use pursuit bars (like the Nitto RB-021), because they have a significant drop, and I wouldn't do a chop and flop (cutting the drop bars and flipping them over) because the reach will be really short and won't help on a frame that is already too small. A good choice for bullhorns would be the Nitto RB-018.

normally i'd say get a frame that fits. the shorter headtube is hard to compensate for unless you don't mind running a whole stack of spacers. but stems are cheap so it's worthwhile to play with that first.

i would try a longer stem if reach is an issue.

here you go! 125 degree stem!

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...ns1/SM2377.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Dimension-31-8.../dp/B001F31EU6


they also come in 26.0 and 25.4 clamps. for a grand total of 22 bucks. i have one on my bike (not 125 degree though) and they are good basic stems.

[QUOTE=longjohns;11932863]here you go! 125 degree stem!

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...ns1/SM2377.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Dimension-31-8.../dp/B001F31EU6

this is the type of thing i was looking for.

Schwing!


But seriously, if you think a 55cm bike is appropriate for you and your current bike is a 51, a stem isn't going to help much. The frame is the foundation of your bike. Stems, saddle adjustment, seat posts, and crank arm lengths simply fine tune that foundation.

Sounds like you should look at your frame (or an entirely new bike) before spending good money on a stem.

Bikes are like shoes in that doesn't matter how nice or how free they are, if they don't fit you won't use them.

word!!

What is the issue caused by the smaller frame? You are too cramped? Or your saddle to bar drop is too high?

- To accommodate your torso length, you'd have to use a longer than normal stem which will affect handling.
- You may have to use a long seat post to get proper leg extension.
- Even though you may be able to slide the saddle back in the rails, it still may not be far enough to put your knees in the right position over the bottom bracket.
- The wheelbase will be shorter affecting handling.

main problem i have with frames that are too small is the more aggressive saddle/bar drop (due to shorter head tube). handling will be affected as you compensate to fit the frame (as carleton pointed out), but that's a secondary worry for me compared to neck/lower back pain from the low front end.

If it was a cheap frame or you were broke, I'd say try a new stem and make it work. Since neither is the case, sell the frame and find something that fits. As others have mentioned, you can compensate for the too low and too close cockpit with a longer and higher stem, but it will change the way the bike feels. It's also likely that your saddle position is wrong (do you have a setback post?) if the frame is that much smaller than ideal.

I am not cramped while riding, the sole issue is that the drops are much to low. The top part of the drops are adequate and with my desire to put on bullhorns i thought that a slight rise in the stem would place the horns at just the right height. I agree that the size of the frame is the foundation and just miscalculated that this would be similar geo as my last bike. I am not above selling the frame and getting something new. I just really enjoy this bike and would like to make it work. I would be sad to see this bike go.


this is 100% my issue. drop = too aggressive. I don't enjoy riding through the city that low, always have had bullhorns. Anyone want to buy a frame???

whats wrong with flipping a stem up (other than the look)? i was under the impression that most/a lot of stems were designed to be run either way. they have double logos, one upside down in case it's flipped (just look at the dimension stem posted above).

that being said... I'd just get a properly fitting frame, seems like the super pista frame would be relatively easy to sell.

Heartbreaking as it may be, I think you should be on the look out for a new frame. A couple years ago I bought a really nice, smallish 80s Bianchi road bike that I thought I could "make work". Added a long mountain bike seatpost, long Nitto technomic stem, and a set of moustache bars to replace the drops, and it still never felt right. So I sold it and moved onto other things, after wasting a buch of time trying to make it work. Luckily the guy who bought it was as tall as me (yes, I told him it was too small) so he ended up taking the stem off my hands too.

dont worry one bit about the flipped up stem. having more than three inches of drop on the street is silly anyway.

yeah, note the signature. If I can sell my frame I'd like to get the same frame in a larger size or might go with a dodici special.

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