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 )

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power2max

How about choosing your stem length based upon proper fit?

Well, if you can choose your frame and know your fit, either TT length or stem length can be the dependent variable.

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power2max

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.

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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.

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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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120, -10.

But I'm trying a 130, -10 this season.

I hear Iit's going to steer like a boat lol.

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Eli

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.

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.

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

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power2max

130 -17 slammed on my trek ...on my Awesome Guru photon I was 120 -10 slammed ,that may change when I build it up again.

+100

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Didn't think they made stems in that angle.


I'll show myself out.

There is no "correct" or "optimum" length for stems. They must be fit to individual anatomy.
The usual rule is (Stem Length) = .433*(penis length).
So I always use a 140.

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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