Stem Change

[Brick]

I'm looking to change out my stem for one with a lower rise. Currently I have a 100mm stem that sports a 40 Degree rise. It's an extremely comfortable position for crusing, but the front wheel has a tendancy to come up when I climb.:crazy2: having my weight biased to the rear makes it easy to loft the front wheel over obstacles:crazy: but that's not necessarily a huge benefit on a big uphill. I want to be able to focus more on the climb, and less on falling on my a$$

I assume that to shift more weight over the front wheel, I should cut the stem rise.....but by how much. From what I've seen, I'm guessing I should be in the 10-15 degree range to reduce the problem, but then should I cut the stem length at the same time, or stay w. the 100mm?

[nigel]

Well, I would say if it is comfortable in every way excpet climbing keep it, you dont wanna mess with comfort once you find it. :) Or you might wanna try a less rise stem of the same length and possibly toss on some bar ends for a different position? Or even try a less rise stem and a riser bar that gets you to the same position you have now. Might seem like the same but the lower stem will make a difference, Ive done this to my own rigs and it helped me.

Douglas

[Brick]

Originally posted by nigel7780
Or even try a less rise stem and a riser bar that gets you to the same position you have now. Might seem like the same but the lower stem will make a difference, Ive done this to my own rigs and it helped me.


I think the problem is that I have a tall stem AND riser bars ( the bike came so equipped)--so I'm already w-a-a-a-y up there.

I'd like to be able to get to a position where I can keep the back wheel from breaking loose AND keep the front down w/o standing all the time. Yeah, I'll be sacrificing a little cruising comfort, I can live with that if it results in better climbing geometry.

[Kingbozo]

but the front wheel has a tendancy to come up when I climb.

Dumb question, but are you shifting your weight forward when you climb? I have an Enduro with risers running at the slack head angle setting. When climbing I slide forward on the seat- way forward if it is really steep. That seems to take care of the wandering front wheel problem except for the steepest of situations-which my legs would usually crap out on anyway.:embarass:

[Brick]

Originally posted by Kingbozo

Dumb question, but are you shifting your weight forward when you climb? [/B]

Dumb answer....:crazy:

Yup, I'm shifting forward. The problem I run into is, if I shift forward to the point of keeping the front in control, the back end breaks free. I'm sure there's a sweet spot in there somewhere, but damned if I can find it :(
I'm hoping to make that sweet sopt just a little bigger and easier to hit.

[Kingbozo]

In that case, I would keep the risers and stem length, but go with a lower rise on the stem. Keep your old stem for trips to Lutsen:cool:

[Crash]

Eric - are there spacers under your stem? If so, you could put them on top of the stem thereby lowering it. This would give you an idea if you like the lower height or not before going out and buying a new stem.

[manual63]

The confort thing does come to mind. The more forward you are, the more weight is going to be on your arms and hands. In my case, my hands tend to fall asleep to easily when I am on a bike with too low and forward of a stem. I think you should make little or no changes and work on your body position. If you look around, more and more mountain bikers are going to higher rise stems and bars. Better steering and more comfortable to ride.

[qheuie]

Eric - i just swapped my 100mm (maybe 115?) 15 degree stem out for a shorter one. if you want, you can use my old one to see if you would like a flatter stem.
i like the shorter stem for steering quickness.
let me know if you want to try my old one.
my email should be listed in my profile.

josh