Normal Road Bike Stem Length

A stem s stated length is not simply the length of the whole stem front to back.

Normal road bike stem length. The reach of your bike is governed by the top tube length saddle rail position and stem. I don t think follows at all. Stem length is measured from the middle of the headset stem cap bolt to the middle of the handlebar. A friend is about to buy a road bike that comes with semi.

We visited oli beckingsale of bw cycling in bristol to find out more about steam length and reach. This test was only for length we didn t ask about the stem s height or angle. Of the 8 fitters we asked 6 of 8 failed to recommend the proper stem length the rider ultimately chose after utilizing a sizing stem. Stem size is not at all proportional it is not a dynamic component who s length matches or represents a certain body part like crank arms do.

As a rule of thumb on a road bike you shouldn t run a stem much shorter than 90mm or much longer than 130mm. A 90mm stem on a 50cm bike is fine but there might be fit issues with a 90mm stem on a 60cm bike. Good bike shops will be very helpful in helping you get the right stem length on your new bike or buying a new stem doesn t have to cost a lot of money. Competitive racers will opt for a longer 120mm stem for optimum stretch.

Generally speaking stem lengths on road bikes vary from 80 to 140mm with 100 to 110mm perhaps the most common sizes. My friend s local bike shop stocks inner rubes that come in 42mm length 45mm length 60mm length 65mm length 80mm length and 82mm. Ask question asked 7 years 10 months ago. Not once did more than 2 fitters guess the desired stem for the rider.

Some manufacturers specify different length stems in relation to the frame size to try and offer the best fit. The depth of the rims is 42mm. What is the ideal presta tube valve stem length. The rise angle of stem from fork to bar has quite a large effect.

It must also address the rider s comfort biomechanics performance needs and the steering and handling of the bike. Sometimes you might need to customise the stem length yourself though. Bike fit for road cycling can be complex. This size specific approach goes a long way to getting you set up with the correct stem length providing you ve chosen the right size frame another area where a bike fit comes in useful.

See the pic below for how to measure it s a 70mm stem. We began by showing them a number of different cyclists. If you need a stem length beyond those extremes your bike frame is the wrong size.