Changing stem on road bike, what to consider?

quenching

I find the reach to the hoods on my 58cm frame Felt Z80 a little long, the current stem is 110mm. I understand changing it to a shorter one will help, but I've no idea what to consider in buying a new shorter stem. I think I'll try a 90mm one first but are they all the same fitment after that? Any suggestions on a reasonable replacement would be appreciated.

I presume its a simple job of a few bolts to replace?

smacl

Replaced the stem and bars on my bike a couple of months ago for similar reasons. Stem replacement is very easy just make sure it's tightened properly, and your bars are set up (rotated) as you want them.

le petit braquet

quenching wrote: »

I find the reach to the hoods on my 58cm frame Felt Z80 a little long, the current stem is 110mm. I understand changing it to a shorter one will help, but I've no idea what to consider in buying a new shorter stem. I think I'll try a 90mm one first but are they all the same fitment after that? Any suggestions on a reasonable replacement would be appreciated.

I presume its a simple job of a few bolts to replace?

From the spec you linked to, you need a stem with a 31.8 clamp to fit the diameter of your bars. The spec mentions either a 6 or 14 degree stem. This governs the amount of raise or drop you can make to bar height by flipping the stem. The 6 degree one is generally standard and probably what you have.

kuro_man

are the hoods too far away or too low down?

If you replace a 6° stem with a shorter 6°, this will bring them closer but also a little lower.
Measure first how much adjustment you need, then use this calculator to work out the best size & angle, comparing you old stem to the proposed new one.

quenching

kuro_man wrote: »

are the hoods too far away or too low down?

If you replace a 6° stem with a shorter 6°, this will bring them closer but also a little lower.
Measure first how much adjustment you need, then use this calculator to work out the best size & angle, comparing you old stem to the proposed new one.

Hoods are too far away rather than too low down, that calculator is very useful, I hadn't considered the angle and how a shorter stem would also lower the bars a little, might go for a larger angle to raise them up a little too. Off shopping now

smacl

kuro_man wrote: »

If you replace a 6° stem with a shorter 6°, this will bring them closer but also a little lower.

Assuming they're currently angled up, reverse hold true if they're angled down.

pprendeville

Don't forget stack height might change when using different stem. Will post pic later of what I mean if you're unsure. I got a good deal on a Controltech stem on CRC 2 wks ago. 50% off. Ritchey stems are good I find.

dastardly00

smacl wrote: »

Replaced the stem and bars on my bike a couple of months ago for similar reasons. Stem replacement is very easy just make sure it's tightened properly, and your bars are set up (rotated) as you want them.

+1,000,000
I took apart my handlebars, stem and headset a while back but I didn't tighten them correctly when putting them back together.
I ended up with speed wobble while descending this climb :eek: :eek: :eek:

Lumen

I wouldn't go less than 100mm on a 58cm frame, the balance will get messed up.

You can move the saddle forward to bring the bars closer.

quenching

Lumen wrote: »

I wouldn't go less than 100mm on a 58cm frame, the balance will get messed up.

You can move the saddle forward to bring the bars closer.

Thanks for that, I'll limit it to 100mm min so. The saddle is already at the limits of adjustment already so no more leeway there I'm afraid. In the meantime I've flipped the current stem and according to the useful calculator posted by kuro_man I'm now 6.9mm nearer the hoods. Seems more comfortable after a short spin so I'll try it for a bit before buying a 100mm stem which will reduce the distance by another 9.2mm.

Squidgy Black

quenching wrote: »

Thanks for that, I'll limit it to 100mm min so. The saddle is already at the limits of adjustment already so no more leeway there I'm afraid. In the meantime I've flipped the current stem and according to the useful calculator posted by kuro_man I'm now 6.9mm nearer the hoods. Seems more comfortable after a short spin so I'll try it for a bit before buying a 100mm stem which will reduce the distance by another 9.2mm.

If your saddle's pushed the whole way up and you have to resort to smaller stems, your bike's simply too big for you. You need something with a shorter top tube.

sham2

All this is fascinating as I am going through a phase of considering various stems. Here's my 2 cents.
I'm a bigish guy 6' 1" so I got a 60cm bike. It came with a 100mm 6 degree stem which I flipped up. Still felt a bit long and a bit low when I have the seat at the optimum height. I ended up getting an adjustable stem which is a 90mm set at about 15 degrees up to get was I felt was the most comfortable reach and height. Incidentally since getting going this year with the weight dropping off the gut it's getting more comfortable to stretch out and reach the bars. May go back to the original eventually.

quenching

sham2 wrote: »

All this is fascinating as I am going through a phase of considering various stems. Here's my 2 cents.
I'm a bigish guy 6' 1" so I got a 60cm bike. It came with a 100mm 6 degree stem which I flipped up. Still felt a bit long and a bit low when I have the seat at the optimum height. I ended up getting an adjustable stem which is a 90mm set at about 15 degrees up to get was I felt was the most comfortable reach and height. Incidentally since getting going this year with the weight dropping off the gut it's getting more comfortable to stretch out and reach the bars. May go back to the original eventually.

I'm just under 6'1", 58cm frame, 110mm 6 degree stem, so smaller frame with a longer stem. I don't suppose there are many 6'1" people with exactly the same leg/arm/back measurements hence why bikes are adjustable to a certain extent and components can be easily swapped to suit those outside the average range. I'll consider an adjustable stem if flipping the current one doesn't work out, they seem a sensible option.

stetyrrell wrote: »

If your saddle's pushed the whole way up and you have to resort to smaller stems, your bike's simply too big for you. You need something with a shorter top tube.

Possibly, but surely the point of stems being of varying length is to allow for different riders position preferences? My saddle is at the edge of the marks on the rails for safe forward/rear adjustment, I just feel I'd like the hoods a bit closer. And a shorter stem is a little cheaper than a new bike

smacl

I've a 90mm stem I'm not currently using which you're welcome to borrow if you want to give it a go. PM me if interested.

FWIW, I'd the reverse problem, 6ft with a 54cm frame. Moving from 90mm to 130mm stem seems to have solved it pretty much, though my next upgrade will probably be to a larger frame. (Also an excuse to get some more carbon).

quenching

smacl wrote: »

I've a 90mm stem I'm not currently using which you're welcome to borrow if you want to give it a go. PM me if interested.

FWIW, I'd the reverse problem, 6ft with a 54cm frame. Moving from 90mm to 130mm stem seems to have solved it pretty much, though my next upgrade will probably be to a larger frame. (Also an excuse to get some more carbon).

Cheers smacl, I might just take you up on the very kind offer. I'm going to try the current 110mm stem but flipped to +6 degrees for a week and see how I get on, felt better this morning already.

TheBlaaMan

@smacl, if quenching doesnt take up that offer and its a 4 bolt jobbie at the bar end,I'd be interested in it . I'm in exactly the same boat as the OP and would like to reduce my reach from 120mm at the moment.

smacl

Yep, 4 bolt. if quenching is happy enough with what he's got your more than welcome to it.

quenching

smacl wrote: »

Yep, 4 bolt. if quenching is happy enough with what he's got your more than welcome to it.

I'm going to try my current arrangement for a while so fire ahead with TheBlaaMan, thanks for offering in the first place though