Favorite stem length for road biking?
Moderator: robbosmans
I was wondering what stem length most people prefer around here for road biking. I have mostly ridden with 100mm stems, a few times with a 120mm - pretty standard geometry with 73 deg HTA and a normal fork (my guess is a 49mm rake, still checking).
I found the 100mm usually rode nicer, a bit faster steering, whilst the 120 felt a bit more sluggish.
What's your favorite stem length from a point of view of handling? (from a visual point of view I find 120-130mm best )
I found the 100mm usually rode nicer, a bit faster steering, whilst the 120 felt a bit more sluggish.
What's your favorite stem length from a point of view of handling? (from a visual point of view I find 120-130mm best )
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- Tinea Pedis
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Stem length makes an appreciable difference in handling. It's not just a means to an end in getting the correct reach.
Me, 120 or 130.
Me, 120 or 130.
I designed my first custom frame around a 120 mm stem, and liked it that way so I did the same when I ordered my second one. With that said, I have ridden frames with stem lengths ranging between 90 and 130 mm, and to be honest I found that after a short while my body just adapted to it and I couldn't really tell the difference.
I ride 120mm stems on all my road bikes, but anything between 110-130 is perfectly ok. Going shorter starts to feel too twitchy and if I need a 140, I probably have the wrong frame for my body build
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- AttacknowAttackoften
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120, -10.
But I'm trying a 130, -10 this season.
I hear Iit's going to steer like a boat lol.
But I'm trying a 130, -10 this season.
I hear Iit's going to steer like a boat lol.
I only train on days that end with "y".
Eli
Eli
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I ride 80mm -17. I'm 5'5" with an extremely short torso so I can't have the luxury of longer stems (100mm+), as there simply aren't frame sizes small enough. That said, I really like the way my bike rides with the 80mm stem, I don't think the handling suffers because of it - like someone says it's what you get used to.
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I run 100mm stems on most of my bikes. I ran 110 for awhile, but the 100 fits me better.
For me, I need a shorter length stem due to my body proportions. I have very long legs for my height, and as a result, a very short torso. I can't go with a smaller frame/longer stem because the headtube ends up being too shorts and I cannot bend over that much.
For me, I need a shorter length stem due to my body proportions. I have very long legs for my height, and as a result, a very short torso. I can't go with a smaller frame/longer stem because the headtube ends up being too shorts and I cannot bend over that much.
You do not need to quote the post above
Very similar here. I'm 2m with long legs. I have done everything to get as low as possible on the saddle (mid foot cleat + super thin soles), but still have 86cm saddle height. I ride a 20cm HT with 25mm top cap, 5mm spacer, 100mm 0 deg stem. (59cm TT). My handlebar drop is around 15cm. Unfortunate to be proportioned that way, but so it goes.
If I want to ride 110 and -6 without spacers I need about 21-22cm HT and 57.5cm TT
Very similar here. I'm 2m with long legs. I have done everything to get as low as possible on the saddle (mid foot cleat + super thin soles), but still have 86cm saddle height. I ride a 20cm HT with 25mm top cap, 5mm spacer, 100mm 0 deg stem. (59cm TT). My handlebar drop is around 15cm. Unfortunate to be proportioned that way, but so it goes.
If I want to ride 110 and -6 without spacers I need about 21-22cm HT and 57.5cm TT
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Tinea Pedis wrote:Stem length makes an appreciable difference in handling. It's not just a means to an end in getting the correct reach. Me, 120 or 130.
+100
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Didn't think they made stems in that angle.
I'll show myself out.
I'll show myself out.
- luckypuncheur
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110 or 120, depending on the fit of the respective frame. Below 110, steering becomes to nervous, above 120 too sluggish.
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