bahamut

After multiple fittings it appears I need shorter stem (85mm/90mm) for my SuperSix w/ Rival components. I know absolutely nothing here so I'm turning to the same place that helped me decide on my bike.

I'm looking for bang for my buck. I'm a relatively casual rider and mainly focused on comfort over longish rides. Beyond that, I'm seeking some advice. Carbon Fiber (like the rest of the bike) or Aluminum? Is there a brand that I should look at? I'd simply like to end up with something worthy of being on the bike without spending too much.

As always,
Thanks!

DropDeadFred

is the bike too big? what are your measurements and what size is the bike.

go aluminum. Zipp service course sl for me! light and sturdy and not super bulky looking.

abstractform20

i agree with aluminum. post a pic of the bike and one of you on it.

tons of good stems out there, just stay away from Oval.

Biscayne05

Deda Zero One

AL but lightweight @ 133g (weighs lesser than most carbon stems there). Great reviews everywhere too.

Mtbnomore

No offense, but I think they've already started you off on the wrong path. This may not be the bike that they should have set you up with if you are looking for comfort. The SuperSix geometry is for a racing bike (long top tube and a short head tube, for a start). You'll probably be able to find a combination of different components (steeper rise stem, zero offset seat post, etc) to make it comfortable, but they probably should have started you off with a Synapse.

Look at it this way though...at the very least, you'll be able to grow into this bike as a rider.

bikerjp

I've been happy with Easton EA90 stems and Performance was selling them for $30 (down from $90 something).

Ultraslide

What color scheme is the Super Six? Any quality aluminum stem would do, but I'm a sucker for a matching cockpit.

Triguy

I'd go aluminum.

Do you need a certain angle?

I'd suggest Pro PLT, $50-60, 130 grams in 100mm, stainless bolts and stiff.

The Deda suggested by someone is a decent option, though its about the same price as the Pro PLT, and I think the Pro is nicer(lighter, stainless bolts).

The Easton is decent for the money if you get it from Performance. At retail though, forget about it.

I think there is a tendency for riders to think that pushing the seat up and pulling the bars back will increase comfort. In my experience this is not always the case. A proper amount of weight on your ass through proper setback is the best place to start. You didn't ask for my two cents, but I couldn't help myself.

Campag4life

Pretty common theme isn't it? Newb 'after several fittingS' ends up on a Supersix with a short stem. A shame.
OP...you don't know until you know so you aren't to blame..the shop where you bought is...one .really has to own a 1-3 bikes to dial in fit...but you would be...as I would say most road bikers including me...better off with a taller head tube bike if you want to do longer rides, don't race and prize comfort over speed. The Supersix is a race bike. The average guy will be faster on an upright bike anyway because flexibility better matches riding position.
You can go with a short riser stem...lots to choose from. Ebay.

cks

+1.

If I can help the OP think outside the box a little bit. It may not be the bike but the rider. If you're new to road cycling, especially if you're coming from mtn or hybrid bikes, your body may just need to adjust to the road geometry- you may want to give it about 500 miles or so and see how you feel. I'm not sure what the fitting problem is here, but your body may just need to adjust to a more stretched out aero position that a road bike demands. Your muscles will also adjust. You have a bike that others drool over, so you may want to try to ride it as intended.

On the other hand, if you want to experience a more "relaxed" geometry, try taking your existing stem and flipping it to bring the bar up higher and closer to your hands- it'll sit you more upright. You may want to try this before spending more $$ on a new stem.

echotraveler

i wanna see a photo.

this thread smells fishy.

Right Said Fred

Have you asked the shop where you got the bike/fitting if they have a stem you can swap out? When I bought my Cannondale the shop swapped the stock 100mm for a 110 at my request for no charge. BTW, an OEM Cannondale stem will be just fine for your purposes.

njkayaker

It looks like he bought the SuperSix in 5/2011 (almost a year ago).

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...es!?highlight=

We have no idea how he ended-up with this bike. Maybe, he was insistent.

merlinextraligh

Stems are pretty much stems. Most any name brand stem is going to be acceptably stiff, particularly in a 90 mm length.

You can pay a lot to save a few grams with no real advantage.

There's no advantage to a carbon stem, other than perhaps saving a few grams.

So find one that's the right length, angle, and a decent price.

If aesthetics matter, why not just go with another Cdale, like the one that came with the bike?

bahamut

Yeah I originally planned to do more racing than longer riding so as I grow into the bike comfort has become a little more of a priority.

I know, I know - the bike deserves a better rider than me. I bought the bike with the idea of being able to grow into it for years. Frankly speaking I just fell in love with the bike.

It's the flat black SS - but the stock stem is sort of a polished black.

zigmeister

Ritchey aluminum WCS 260 stems are much lighter and can be had for around $100.

103gms for a 100mm I believe.

Carbon/aluminum are personal preference though.

laserfj

Post a side-view photo of your riding position.

Campag4life

Well...thats OK and btw not a false premise. The other guys here mentioned and correctly so...that the bike may indeed be the right size...just you aren't used to the position if you come from a mtb or cruiser. This is common as well. So you maybe able to grow into the bike as it were.
But will give you another thought. I have been riding for 30 years and couldn't grow into any Supersix. Its a great bike but the geometry is too aggressive for me. I am far from a newb...so its possible you could grow into the bike...but your flexibility may not make it a good choice even after you ride for a couple of seasons.
As mentioned...your best foot forward is...post a pic with you on the bike in your riding position. This will help with a sense if the bike is right for you.
How much saddle to handlebar drop do you have?
Also, post your height, pant length and frame size for better perspective.

Ultraslide

You could find another Cdale C2 stem in 90mm for cheap, and it would still match the seatpost. Enjoy the ride!

bahamut

Any idea where?

bahamut

5'10" 54cm - I'll work on that picture.

generalkdi

At the Cdale LBS where you bought the bike!

dtrain

Here's a wet black Ritchey WCS 90mm (not mine, but I have a 100mm with matching bars and like it):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/120896197413...84.m1438.l2649

Campag4life

Although leg length matters...even if shortish of leg, a 54 for a guy 5'10" isn't too big...that's for sure...more like a racier fit...perhaps not ideal for a new rider. Some guys your height ride a 56 and one guy world famous with intials LA who is your height rides a 58.
So part of your yearning for a shortish stem is about your comfort level of riding with some torso lean.
But...horizontal reach is only one part of the story. saddle to bar drop is perhaps the biggest detractor to comfort on a road bike.
If you are sporting a lot of drop as the Supersix...especially a 54 has a relatively short head tube...then you likely wanting to keep your
cockpit a bit shorter to compensate. My personal belief...and others will contest this on here...is the average rider is much better off with
very little if no drop. Case in point is the popularity of comfort road bikes among average riders.
Good luck.

fstshrk

Get an adjustable stem with roughly the right length, tune the stem until you are comfortable, and only then buy an expensive stem. You can buy an adjustable stem for $30 on ebay.
A 54 cm frame is actually not too big for you unless you have strange torso to leg length proportions.