What's the deal with different stem lengths? I know that shorter is for dhing and longer is more xc oriented, but what does it change for the feel of the bike? I've got a longer stem (too lazy to check exactly what it is right now) and I'm thinking of getting a planet x meteor with a shorter stem reach. I don't really have a problem with my current stem, I'm just wondering if it'll do anything for me. I like to dirtjump a lot with some urban trialsy type riding as well. Stair hucks as well. If I get a shorter stem how will it feel different for me? Thanks.
Stem Reach
- Thread starter Chronic Id
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I like a short stem for everything because I like an upright riding position. Only you will know how they will effect your riding style but at least it's not a hude commitment - you don't like - swap back.
Welocme to the Monkey.
Welocme to the Monkey.
I run a 45mm on my hardtail and a 55mm on my DH bike. You end up feeling more stable with you weight towards the rear a bit. Actually, all season I was running my DH bike with an 80mm stem. It felt good since I'm 5'11 and my frame is a medium. At the last day of the season I put that 55mm on and I felt really good. I was worried that I'd be slower in corners but I wasn't. You just need to adjust to the difference. Shorter stems are better.
You can, however, go too short.
My DH bike originally came to me with a 100mm stem, which was way too long. I went the other route and got an Azonic Hammer (like maybe 35mm long and very tall), which felt bizarre at first, but grew on me with the quick steering and stiffness. The upright position was good for learning DH and freeride stuff on...it was really short and tall and dropins became a lot less intimidating.
However, this was during my 'hang off the rear and hold on' phase of learning DH. You get to feeling you can ride anything this way.
Just slapped a new stem on, maybe 60mm or so, and cornering feels so much better. I think it'll do wonders for DHing. And I climb the bike, too, so the extra bit of stretch will be an additional asset. Plus, my fork now sags a bit...
Really...the old riding position had zero weight on the front end, and I jsut couldn't get the fork to sag at all!
MD
My DH bike originally came to me with a 100mm stem, which was way too long. I went the other route and got an Azonic Hammer (like maybe 35mm long and very tall), which felt bizarre at first, but grew on me with the quick steering and stiffness. The upright position was good for learning DH and freeride stuff on...it was really short and tall and dropins became a lot less intimidating.
However, this was during my 'hang off the rear and hold on' phase of learning DH. You get to feeling you can ride anything this way.
Just slapped a new stem on, maybe 60mm or so, and cornering feels so much better. I think it'll do wonders for DHing. And I climb the bike, too, so the extra bit of stretch will be an additional asset. Plus, my fork now sags a bit...
Really...the old riding position had zero weight on the front end, and I jsut couldn't get the fork to sag at all!
MD
Longer stems make climbing easier, more of your weight is on the front wheel.