Road Bicycle Stem Length
There are shorter and longer stems available if you re short or very tall and ride a frame size at the extreme end of the size range.
Road bicycle stem length. Stem length is one aspect of a road bike that you can alter to increase both comfort and performance. Stem length affects the level of comfort for the rider. Generally speaking stem lengths on road bikes vary from 80 to 140mm with 100 to 110mm perhaps the most common sizes. However most stems are not marked and must be measured in order to determine size.
Competitive racers will opt for a longer 120mm stem for optimum stretch. The most important consideration when choosing a road stem is the stem length considered as a key factor in the overall fit of the bike. While comfort and an effective position trumps all other considerations matt wikstrom takes a closer look at the influence of stem length on the steering and handling of a road bike. Riders looking to achieve a long low and aerodynamic position on the bike e g.
But mountain bikers change stem length depending on the handling. Stem length designated in millimeters may be indicated on the stem. Given the same frame changing from a 70mm stem to a 120mm stem only changes the riders reach some weight distribution and some relationship on how that rider behaves moving thru space suspended between the two hubs. When road cyclists think about stem length we tend to only take into account the effect it has on our position on the bike.
The most significant thing while choosing a road stem is the length of the stem may be the key factor for overall fit of the bike. I know this kind of over simplifies the science of bike fitting but after 30 years of riding i still feel that for the majority of cyclists height between 5 8 and 6 1 the stem is the correct length when your hands are on the top of the bars the front hub is behind the handlebars when your hands are on the brake hoods the front hub is obscured by the handlebars and when your hands are on the. Bike fit for road cycling can be complex. Riders like to get a long small and aerodynamic position of the bike e g spirited racers can choose for a longer 1200 mm stem for optimum stretch.
In order to alter stem length you must first know the length of your current stem. We visited oli beckingsale of bw cycling in bristol to find out more about steam length and reach.