ktmdad
February 10th, 2010, 01:09 AM
Bike Cannondale Prophet size large, Fox Talas fork
Stock stem 100 or 105mm, unknown actual rise. 7, 8, 9, 10??
Me 52YO, 6' tall, 175lbs 1yr mtn. biking over 30 on off road dirt bikes
Per the advice of a riding instructor I picked up a shorter stem from a LBS to try out. He suggested trying between 60 and 75mm length (he's 6'3" and uses a 60mm FWIW) and said I would love it. Shop said it's 75mm.
Installed the shorter stem today. Not really sure "where exactly" they measure stem length but this appears to me to be 30-35mm shorter than the stock one that was on there which was 100-105mm from my measurments. New stem has an adjustable insert for either an 8 degree rise or 16 degree rise. I used the 16 degree setting which puts the bars about level with the seat. I will try the 8 degree also or I can shuffle spacers which could lower the bars approx.3/4".
Ok, I just loved what it did to the bike, much better control. Not sure what exactly I was supposed to feel (he said just try it) but I was now able to put my front wheel almost exactly wherever I wanted even at really slow speeds through rocks. I had been having a real problem with what I call front wheel wagging (for a better term) where the wheel would move right/left wandering around when pedaling and moving through technical sections and unless I carried a certain speed through tight rocks it was a struggle at times and not pretty. Same thing with climbing up rocky hills. Almost all of that was gone now. I could pick my way through rocks and up hills much much easier at almost a trials bike pace. Truely an amazing change. I felt everything was better from technical stuff, climbing, decending and bike comfort in general. There is still a touch of the wagging feel but not nearly as bad as before the stem change.
It's only 1 ride I know (with studs for ice and snow no less) but I'm very happy with the change so far. Feels like a different bike and I may try even a shorter 60-65mm stem for kicks. The instructor claims being all stretched out with long stems really messes up bike handling, especially for technical terrain like New England. I see what he means now.
So don't be afraid to give it a try, you might be really surprised at a nice improvement.
Stock stem 100 or 105mm, unknown actual rise. 7, 8, 9, 10??
Me 52YO, 6' tall, 175lbs 1yr mtn. biking over 30 on off road dirt bikes
Per the advice of a riding instructor I picked up a shorter stem from a LBS to try out. He suggested trying between 60 and 75mm length (he's 6'3" and uses a 60mm FWIW) and said I would love it. Shop said it's 75mm.
Installed the shorter stem today. Not really sure "where exactly" they measure stem length but this appears to me to be 30-35mm shorter than the stock one that was on there which was 100-105mm from my measurments. New stem has an adjustable insert for either an 8 degree rise or 16 degree rise. I used the 16 degree setting which puts the bars about level with the seat. I will try the 8 degree also or I can shuffle spacers which could lower the bars approx.3/4".
Ok, I just loved what it did to the bike, much better control. Not sure what exactly I was supposed to feel (he said just try it) but I was now able to put my front wheel almost exactly wherever I wanted even at really slow speeds through rocks. I had been having a real problem with what I call front wheel wagging (for a better term) where the wheel would move right/left wandering around when pedaling and moving through technical sections and unless I carried a certain speed through tight rocks it was a struggle at times and not pretty. Same thing with climbing up rocky hills. Almost all of that was gone now. I could pick my way through rocks and up hills much much easier at almost a trials bike pace. Truely an amazing change. I felt everything was better from technical stuff, climbing, decending and bike comfort in general. There is still a touch of the wagging feel but not nearly as bad as before the stem change.
It's only 1 ride I know (with studs for ice and snow no less) but I'm very happy with the change so far. Feels like a different bike and I may try even a shorter 60-65mm stem for kicks. The instructor claims being all stretched out with long stems really messes up bike handling, especially for technical terrain like New England. I see what he means now.
So don't be afraid to give it a try, you might be really surprised at a nice improvement.