Stem Length

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Banjo

Fuelled with Jelly Babies
Location
South Wales
I know this comes up a lot but just to share my limited experience,My road bike came with a 120 stem , bike shop changed it for a 110 for me and flipped it.Reason is my lower back is not too supple after a few accidents over the years.

Even with the 110 on my back was still complaining so i bought a highrise 90 mm stem which gave me a very upright position ,my back stopped complaining and all was well.Obviously the downside is a less aero position which makes a big difference and also the steering was a bit more twitchy but didnt feel unsafe at all.

This morning on impulse I put the 110 back on and went out for an early ride.Only did about 18 miles but felt great.Steering was noticeably more stable and defo felt faster.One thing that surprised me was I seemed quicker going uphill as well. Of course none of this is scientificly proven and I may just have been having a good day.

Conclusion is that the 110 is staying on unless back flares up again but i would recommend anyone struggling to get used to a roadie position to consider breaking themselves in gradually with a shorter stem for the first few months.
 

Renard

Guest
I tend towards getting more aero as the good weather comes in.
 

Fab Foodie

hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
Location
Kirton, Devon.
Togley said:
I tend towards getting more aero as the good weather comes in.

I tend towards more aero as my belly diminishes!

Though when I convert my bike to winter mode I also tend to flip the stem, simply to be a bit more heads-up for the road surface, but also to be more comfortable with more winter layers on.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
Fab Foodie said:
I tend towards more aero as my belly diminishes!

Though when I convert my bike to winter mode I also tend to flip the stem, simply to be a bit more heads-up for the road surface, but also to be more comfortable with more winter layers on.

What you need is a 'Winter bike'.

Saves faffing around with dimensional changes on your summer bike.
 
OP
OP
Banjo

Banjo

Fuelled with Jelly Babies
Location
South Wales
And a spring one a summer one a nice tourer and a cheap hack for leaving outside the pub.Were going to need a bigger shed. :-)
 

Hont

Guru
Location
Bromsgrove
Banjo said:
i would recommend anyone struggling to get used to a roadie position to consider breaking themselves in gradually with a shorter stem for the first few months.

+1. I also have a bad back and found that I can have far fewer problems than I used to when getting aero.
 
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