stem length

[catbbq]

I bought my wife a Giant Rainier a couple years ago in an effort to get her interested in biking. It finally seems to be taking hold. However, after a recent skill clinic with Bill (thanks Bill!) it seems we need to make some mods to the bike.

First, the bike is a boy's bike, not necessarily built for a woman's body. So the bike fits my wife's lower half fairly well, but not her upper half. She has to stretch out too far forward.

The solution I see is to get a shorter stem. The current stem is 100mm.

So how will the handling change if I put a shorter stem on? I am looking at the super short DH stems at about 50mm.

Suggestions?

[Quo Fan]

Get her and her bike to a shop, and start swapping stems until she finds the one that fits, and buy it.

[Ben-O]

Typically, shorter stems feel more responsive. That's why DH riders prefer them. But your wife is looking for something that fits her arms better, so you don't want to go too short, which 50mm might be. I'd take Quo's suggestion and try some out.

[dmw010]

Careful though -- if the stem is too short, front end handling can get unstable. I would think that 50mm might be too short for an x-c bike like the Ranier.

[heckler]

Shorter helps but so does Up. You don't say where her bars are in relationship to her seat but that might help as well. I agree, hit a shop and see what they say. Having just gone from a 130 to a 105 and loved the change I say do it now!