When is a stem too long Options

[Antsnz]

Recently changed my stem to a 60mm and while it feels ok I feel it is harder to pick up the front wheel
I am worrying that having the longer stem is dragging my weight too far forward.
I ride a Chase pro XL (21.0TT)
I did have a 57mm stem on and the back wheel was slammed and felt too twitchy for me
So moved the back wheel back to middle of dropouts and got the longer stem
I am about 5' 10".
Do you think the longer stem is the cause our is it just rider skill? Haha

[Jason F.]

Give it a bit of time. However I have found for myself that I like my stems around 53-55mm and my frame longer. And at 5'10" I am thinking you should be on something around 21.75. Now before you go all "what what what!" I think for the average non tail whip ex pro a longer frame is paramount to stability and I think the mindset of smaller frames is a hold over from...I dont know what but, but at 6'1" I run a 22.4" with a 53 and its SOOOO comfortable and stable, a bit like a cruiser but quicker steering. Give it try if you can find a test frame to try.

[CowhieDesigns]

That amount of change....even moving the rear wheel back an 1/8", will change everything on how your bike feels. Adding length to the stem at the same time will definitely feel hard to pull up. Too much at once.

[FREAKAH]

Yep, too much at once.

Since you already have the 60mm stem, just take out one full link out of your chain and add a half link to get the wheel a bit more forward to make the front easier to pull up. Either that or move your bars up higher to bring your body back and more upright, and the higher bars should help with bringing the front end up.

But, I do think that even the 57mm stem you had on did bring your body too far forward, and along with the slammed rear it made it twitchy. All that weight in front unloaded the rear tire. Your riding position should have your torso right over the BB.

I would throw on a 50-53mm stem and center the rear axle or maybe a half link back.


This post has been edited by FREAKAH: Apr 24 2013, 11:51 PM

[utmost]

Give it a bit of time. However I have found for myself that I like my stems around 53-55mm and my frame longer. And at 5'10" I am thinking you should be on something around 21.75. Now before you go all "what what what!" I think for the average non tail whip ex pro a longer frame is paramount to stability and I think the mindset of smaller frames is a hold over from...I dont know what but, but at 6'1" I run a 22.4" with a 53 and its SOOOO comfortable and stable, a bit like a cruiser but quicker steering. Give it try if you can find a test frame to try.

hey Jason, what frame are you riding

[Jason F.]

hey Jason, what frame are you riding

redline xxxl, getting a dkoi xxxl soon its supposed to be 22.5" but I think its going to be more like 22"-22.2" as my sons xxl is a bit shorter than they rate it.

[Antsnz]

Thanks guys
I have been double guessing myself with my frame size choice as soon as I got this bike
Was previously on a GT ultrabox which I believe is a 21 TT
For some reason got in my head i needed a longer frame
But when I upgraded I was going to get a 21.25TT but could only get the 21
So i thought i would just stick a longer stem on it.
As mentioned i think i got in my head that the frame was small for me, but I really dont think it is
I can handle the smaller bike and like a frame I can chuck about but the bike and me just did not get along.
There have been moments where I felt i had gotten use to it and riding well, but since adding the 60mm stem just struggling fiding the balance point and attacking jumps.

I have an old 55mm stem so might chuck that on and give it a go see if my body position and control improves.
thanks again for the feedback