Road Bike Stem Length Handling
Every part of a bike is connected.
Road bike stem length handling. We visited oli beckingsale of bw cycling in bristol to find out more about steam length and reach. 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. I would much rather ride a bike with geometry and fit that complement a 50mm stem than create the correct reach through fitting a larger unit. Stem length will vary with the design of the bike.
A shorter stem will result in snappier steering a longer stem will produce slower steering. Nowhere in the study of bicycle dynamics or frame design is the stem length discussed. Stem length affects handling. Using a shorter stem gives the bike quicker handling characteristics and a more responsive feel.
A longer toptube and the resulting wheelbase usually equates to a more stable handling bike anyway. The first thing to consider when buying a new stem is the length. Some manufacturers specify different length stems in relation to the frame size to try and offer the best fit. Stem length affects the level of comfort for the rider.
But mountain bikers change stem length depending on the handling. Changing the stem length not only impacts your fit and comfort it affects the handling dynamics of a road bike. 9 top tips for setting up your new road bike. The frame is much better able to absorb road shocks with longer tubes and a longer wheelbase plus it will be more stable while reduced fork rake and a shorter stem will keep the handling sharp.
This may explain why dan and i disagree on ideal stem length for road. When road cyclists think about stem length we tend to only take into account the effect it has on our position on the bike. Not only does the stem length affect the fit of the bike but it plays a big role in how the bike handles. Adjusting the stem length can be used to tailor the.
Now bike stem length can vary from 50mm all the way up to 150mm and beyond. The more directly you are over the centre of the front wheel the better. Stem length does not affect handling of a bike. Bike fit for road cycling can be complex.