Stem length
07-03-13, 05:13 PM
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Stem length
I have a new-to-me road bike and I've got a question: The saddle height and position I have set feels pretty good with the exception of that I still feel like I'm reaching for the brifters. Handlebar/brifter location is great when I stand but when I sit, I have to stretch 3-4 cm past my normal comfortable position to reach them or to ride my normal on-the-hoods hand position. I know that KOPS is a guideline and controversial at that but I'm wondering how you know if you should move the seat forward or get a shorter stem. I'm working on flexibility but have old back injury issues that may limit my ability to simply adapt to stretching out further.
07-03-13, 06:54 PM
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Shorter stem; you've answered our own question, you feel 3-4cm (30-40mm) too stretched out; the only caveat to that I have is don't go 30mm shorter -- go 15 or 20 at MOST. Leave the saddle where it is.
07-04-13, 07:57 PM
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I can't agree or disagree about not going 3 cm shorter. I do think it's important to make any stem changes in increments - small ones. A 1 cm change is quite large.
07-04-13, 08:39 PM
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You put the brifters on a long ramp bend bar or something more designed to go with them?
if the reach gripping the straight upper part of the bar is good, that may be a factor.
if the reach gripping the straight upper part of the bar is good, that may be a factor.
07-04-13, 08:49 PM
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Thanks for the advice. I have put a couple of hundred miles on the bike and finally decided to order an 80mm +/-7 degree stem to replace the stock 100 mm stem.
07-04-13, 11:23 PM
#6
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You can also get a shorter reach handlebar.
Norm in road bar reach is somewhere in the 85mm region
Many shallow cx bars have a reach of 75mm
Norm in road bar reach is somewhere in the 85mm region
Many shallow cx bars have a reach of 75mm
07-05-13, 12:12 AM
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I just swapped out the stock 115mm stem for a 100mm stem for the same reasons. I'm closer to the ideal position but I still think I can bring the bars back 5 to 10mm.
I got my 100mm stem from the LBS from the "$5 stems" box. I wish I had bought more lengths while I was there. :/
I got my 100mm stem from the LBS from the "$5 stems" box. I wish I had bought more lengths while I was there. :/
