Are +/- zero degree stems uncool on road bikes?

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

User avatar
dadoflam08
Posts: 951
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:25 am
Location: Southern Great Southern Land

by dadoflam08

Do you lose many style points if you use a zero degree stem to reduce drop distance? - I am getting older and am thinking of an Easton EC 90 SL +/- 0 degree stem for my latest build
'83 De Rosa+'11 Baum Corretto+'08 BMC Pro Machine >6kg+'86 Pinarello Team +'72 Cinelli SC +'58 Bianchi+'71 Cinelli SC+'78 Masi GC+'83 La Redoute Motobecane+'94 Banesto Pegoretti+'88 Bianchi X4 +'48 Super Elliott+'99 Look Kg281+'18 Pegoretti

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Marin
Posts: 4035
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:48 am
Location: Vienna Austria

by Marin

Yes, same as with spacers, tilted seats, padded seats. Etc.

However, the solution is simple: Don't post pics, just make sure your fit is good for you and go out and ride :)

User avatar
Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

The coolness rule is that stem angle MUST match top tube angle.

So if you use a 90° stem, just be prepared to ride in shame and know that almost everyone else is snickering at you every time they see you.





The only compensation can be to make sure they are always snickering from behind you.....waaaay behind you.

User avatar
dadoflam08
Posts: 951
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:25 am
Location: Southern Great Southern Land

by dadoflam08

Rick wrote:The coolness rule is that stem angle MUST match top tube angle.


Bugger - I have a horizontal top tube - I guess I will have to spend all my time riding up inclines to get the angles right :D
'83 De Rosa+'11 Baum Corretto+'08 BMC Pro Machine >6kg+'86 Pinarello Team +'72 Cinelli SC +'58 Bianchi+'71 Cinelli SC+'78 Masi GC+'83 La Redoute Motobecane+'94 Banesto Pegoretti+'88 Bianchi X4 +'48 Super Elliott+'99 Look Kg281+'18 Pegoretti

boots2000
Posts: 1393
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:28 pm

by boots2000

Depends on the bike- But I think a zero rise is 10X cooler than a pile of spacers or a sore back.

mentok
Posts: 577
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 9:58 am

by mentok

Marin wrote:the solution is simple: Don't post pics


agreed. do what works for you and try not to let style impact upon fit.

don't tell anyone, but I've got 20mm of spacers under my stem. I ride around on my 58cm with my buddies who are all on slammed 54s and my bars are miles above theirs, like my drops are at their hoods.

ghisallo2003
Posts: 742
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:10 pm

by ghisallo2003

Like everything else it is about balance.

If you can get away with a spacer 'stack' that is fitting with frame size, then I would rather see this with a frame-parallel stem, than a rising stem but no spacers. If you need both, then so be it - fit trumps all.

User avatar
HammerTime2
Posts: 5813
Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 4:43 pm
Location: Wherever there's a mountain beckoning to be climbed

by HammerTime2

It doesn't matter as long as your bartape matches your saddle.

djwalker
Posts: 165
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:35 pm

by djwalker

Ride what works for you. I have a plus rise stem because the guy I got the frame from had cut the steerer too short for spacers. NOBODY has ever said a word.

dogg
Posts: 291
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:37 am

by dogg

know whats really uncool?

asking about "style points"

User avatar
dadoflam08
Posts: 951
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:25 am
Location: Southern Great Southern Land

by dadoflam08

dogg wrote:know whats really uncool?

asking about "style points"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWdd6_ZxX8c
'83 De Rosa+'11 Baum Corretto+'08 BMC Pro Machine >6kg+'86 Pinarello Team +'72 Cinelli SC +'58 Bianchi+'71 Cinelli SC+'78 Masi GC+'83 La Redoute Motobecane+'94 Banesto Pegoretti+'88 Bianchi X4 +'48 Super Elliott+'99 Look Kg281+'18 Pegoretti

Wingnut
Posts: 2196
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:41 am

by Wingnut

I have no choice atm but to use this stem to get my position...I don't like it but it works for me...

Image
Last edited by Wingnut on Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
dadoflam08
Posts: 951
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:25 am
Location: Southern Great Southern Land

by dadoflam08

Lucky man!
'83 De Rosa+'11 Baum Corretto+'08 BMC Pro Machine >6kg+'86 Pinarello Team +'72 Cinelli SC +'58 Bianchi+'71 Cinelli SC+'78 Masi GC+'83 La Redoute Motobecane+'94 Banesto Pegoretti+'88 Bianchi X4 +'48 Super Elliott+'99 Look Kg281+'18 Pegoretti

User avatar
Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

I also like the "Cone" style headset top caps, because they sort of obscure the fact that they are just as tall as an extra 15mm or so spacer.

User avatar
ProfessorChaos
in the industry
Posts: 772
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:10 am

by ProfessorChaos

If you need a zero degree, maybe you need a larger frame? Most frames these days have taller head tubes anyway. I have the opposite problem. I could probably fit a 56 well, but most head tubes these days are too tall for me so I have to run a 120mm -17deg stem, and a lot of exposed seatpost.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply