Stem Length

[HultgrenLR]

I am looking for advice on possibly shortening the length of the stem on my Specialized XC. It is currently about 5 inches long and the distance to from the stem to the seat is almost 25 inches!!! While I am tall (6-3.5), the long length has me putting too much weight on the front of the bike (in my humble, non-experienced, opinion) which makes it difficult to unweight the front end (as I need to do to jump and drop). I was thinking of trying out a shorter stem, to cut maybe an inch or an inch and a half off the total "stretch-out" length of the bike.
Thoughts? Something routinely done? Thanks for your advice.
Lon H. Storrs, CT.

[hammerhead]

for 6'3"+, 25" from seat center to bar isn't really long for New England trail riding - much shorter and you'll be fighting through every climb.

That said, a 5" (120mm?) stem is long (is your frame too small?). Shorter stems are pretty easy to find - your local shop should be able to fit you up fine.

[Yeti_Ken]

If everything else feels right other than being too far forward, you may want to consider a setback seatpost along with the shorter stem otherwise you will raise your center of gravity a bit which isn't much different than being too far forward.

[leebo]

look at stem height as well.

[adrnalin69]

First of all the 5" of stem is a bit much for drops and jumps. If you plan on XC racing then leave it be. If you plan on catching the air that you speak of then a short stem will help...a lot. YES it will hurt you on the climbs but not as much as one might think.

The set back seat post idea is also a valid point but remember that this can hurt your pedaling effeceinsy(sp) as well. It will move your center of gravity away from the bottom bracket and change your (pedaling) stroke. Again effecting your climbing ability.

If you infact have a 120ish stem then going down to a 110 or even a 100 should help. remember the shorter you go the more it will effect your "fit". MTB fit is specific to the person and their needs and wants. If you think you need a shorter stem then try it. Then continue from there with fit changes. There are no "standards" to MTB fit. Unless you are supah XC.

[Slappy]

Agree. Don't be shy about swapping stems like they're going out of style until you find what you like. (See if you can borrow a few from somebody with a decent spare parts pile, or maybe the LBS can hook you up with some loaner take-offs) It only takes a couple minutes, and you'll get a real 'hands on' feel for how certain changes to geometry affect your bike's handling. Everything's a trade-off, you just need to find what works for you.

I used to run a 0 degree 135, but I'm down to 90 (or sometime even a 50 or 70) now. If I get on a bike with a long-ass stem these days, I feel like I'm going to flop on my face anytime things get a steep or bony. Also, if you're leaning toward hitting drops and jumps, when you break your frame you'll probably want to do an 'upgrade' to something a little burlier than the XC. Specialized warranty is awesome, and they'll usually let you swap models if you kick in a reasonable 'upcharge'.

:D

[HultgrenLR]

Thanks to you-all who gave advice on stem length.
I am definitely going to try something shorter -- seems I'm not much of a climber anyhow (regardless of what bike I'm on, road or dirt, when I hit a long hill everyone seems to pedal away from me!).
I am still learning to keep the nose up on jumps and drops, so until that becomes second nature, I won't be going off anything high enough to be breaking any frames!
Lon H.