Shorter stem for Boardman SLR 8.9

[Phil4000]

Quick question, would a 10mm shorter stem make much of a difference, or not worth bothering about?
I'm comfortable enough on my bike, but would like it slightly less aggressive.

 

[Drago]

The bike will handle exactly the same as before - each degree of rotation about the steering axis will bring exactly the same result as the old stem.

The difference will be in steering feel, and how much difference that may or may not make to you has so many factors it is i,possible to predict. You need to try it and see.

If its the riding position youre trying to make a little softer then 10mm will likely be noticeable, but how much is again dependent on all sorts of factors.

 

[Sharky]

An old and probably an unproven theory, used to be.... ...

When riding on "tops", hands on the brake hoods, the handle bar should obscure the front wheel axle.

Does for me, how about you?

 

[Shearwater Missile]

If you are comfortable, leave it, that is the most important point. I went from 100 to 90 thinking that I would be more comfortable but actually was worse. What I did was change the bars to Spez hover, as the spacers were maxed out. That made mine less aggressive.
As a side, as to obscuring the view of the axle it depends if you are on the hoods or drops. IMO. I am 50/50 so sometimes thereabouts obscured.

 

[Phil4000]

If you are comfortable, leave it, that is the most important point. I went from 100 to 90 thinking that I would be more comfortable but actually was worse. What I did was change the bars to Spez hover, as the spacers were maxed out. That made mine less aggressive.
As a side, as to obscuring the view of the axle it depends if you are on the hoods or drops. IMO. I am 50/50 so sometimes thereabouts obscured.

If I do a couple of 10km rides in a day, there is no back ache or anything. So its not urgent. I'm recently back into road biking, after a very long break, so yes may just leave it for now.

You found 10mm made a difference?

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I did find that 10mm made a difference, not blindingly obvious at first. I have three road bikes, 2 came with 100mm stems and the other 110mm.
The first one with 100mm I changed to 90 as I was having neck problems and so changed the one with 110mm to 90mm. ( I had already gone down to 100mm) and I thought that I had cracked it but I had`nt. After a longer ride the aches came back. So, I went back to 100mm and bought hover bars and that cured the problem as I was too low.
The latest bike which came with 100mm I have fitted the previously redundant 110mm stem. That bike too I fitted the hover bar to. It may not look cool in some circles but it`s my neck that appreciates it. What is the drop from saddle to bar ? A 10km ride is quite a short ride, in as much that any problems may not manifest. If you are OK, then leave things as they are for the time being.

 

[Phil4000]

I did find that 10mm made a difference, not blindingly obvious at first. I have three road bikes, 2 came with 100mm stems and the other 110mm.
The first one with 100mm I changed to 90 as I was having neck problems and so changed the one with 110mm to 90mm. ( I had already gone down to 100mm) and I thought that I had cracked it but I had`nt. After a longer ride the aches came back. So, I went back to 100mm and bought hover bars and that cured the problem as I was too low.
The latest bike which came with 100mm I have fitted the previously redundant 110mm stem. That bike too I fitted the hover bar to. It may not look cool in some circles but it`s my neck that appreciates it. What is the drop from saddle to bar ? A 10km ride is quite a short ride, in as much that any problems may not manifest. If you are OK, then leave things as they are for the time being.

No aches, no lack of control. Just puts me in an aggressive position. That could just be adjusting back to road biking though.

I have to adjust the height and angle of the saddle, so haven't found the perfect position for me yet. Will experiment with this, before spending the money on a new stem.

Interesting that such a small adjustment in stem, can make a difference.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Have you already tried flipping the stem positive (upwards), presuming is doesn't have a zero angle stem, to raise the stack and lower the reach a bit?

 

[cyberknight]

i found 10 mm shorter recently made it a little more comfy as i was riding with my hands slightly further back on the hoods rather than the default position , it didnt affect handling one bit .

 

[Phil4000]

Have you already tried flipping the stem positive (upwards), presuming is doesn't have a zero angle stem, to raise the stack and lower the reach a bit?

No, I'll have a look at see of that's possible.