I have never ridden my touring bike (a 1989 Cannondale) but I will in the spring. Because of clearance issues (large gut) I want a taller stem. I also have been riding a Giant Sedona, so I think I would prefer wider bars than I currently have. I have done a few short rides on my Univega, so I know that drop bars are in my future.

I am looking at buying a Nitto Technomic stem (to replace my current 90 mm Nitto stem) and also getting the 45 CM wide Nitto classic bars. The frame is 56 cm.

I am 6' tall, and about 300 pounds (will be less before I do a tour, or a century).

The question is, how do I figure out which length Technomic stem I should get? I am tempted to go longer than my current stem... I am thinking either 110 or 120 mm.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks!

In my experience, it's just about impossible to calculate the best stem reach/angle, even for yourself -- let alone for another person. There are just too many variables involved. You can get close; for example you can narrow it down to 110-120 vs. 70-90mm.

There are two ways I've used. One is to use a previous or current bike that fits like a glove, and try to duplicate the geometry.

The second is more reliable: get an adjustable stem (either adjustable angle, which are easy to find; or adjustable length, which are pretty rare). Note that for an adjustable angle stem, the horizontal length changes as you change the angle, and you can can compensate for the height change by raising or lowering the clamp point. Swap stem spacers above/below the stem to do this.

Then when you have it dialed in right, you can buy a (fixed) stem with the desired reach. Nothing wrong with keeping the adjustable stem, but they're pretty heavy.

-- Mark

Thanks for the confirmation.

Between when I posted the initial question and now, I decided that for a starting point, I would measure my Sedona and get a stem with the length that would get me into the same ballpark on the new bike by measuring seat to handlebar clamp length, and picking a stem that will get me in that ball park.

Now, I just need to figure out how to accomodate the difference between flat and drop bars in my guessing...