Bigred123
Member
Will 5 mm in stem length make much difference , looking to upgrade my stem which is 30mm but not much about in 30mm.
Stem length
- Thread starter Bigred123
- Start date
What do you hope to achieve by changing from a 30mm stem to a 25mm or 30mm stem?
What stem do you currently have and what do you not like about it? I have a DMR Defy35 31.8 35mm stem which I can not fault.
The Gusset Components S2 AM Stem 31.8mm is 30mm. I have a used one in undamaged excellent condition if you're interested? (was a little too short with my PNW Carbon Loam bars).
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Might not make a bit difference but it also depend on your body position preference but also the bike. You could like it more / less / no difference.
Fwiw some people really like matching the stem length with fork offset for better handling.
I honestly think that unless you are a pro you will not feel the 5mm difference unless the reach is already at max for you.
You could buy a cheap Chinese stem in 35mm to see before buying a carbon one if you really fear the change. That will serve on all future bike too.
Fwiw some people really like matching the stem length with fork offset for better handling.
I honestly think that unless you are a pro you will not feel the 5mm difference unless the reach is already at max for you.
You could buy a cheap Chinese stem in 35mm to see before buying a carbon one if you really fear the change. That will serve on all future bike too.
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Tone461
Active member
I went from a 50mm to a 60mm and it felt good straight away. There are way to many folks on here who get too wrapped up in the geo numbers before making a change. Just try it. Maybe just ride up the road a bit before checking out the structural integrity of that ebay stem though 
My Trek Rail originally came with a Bontrager 60mm stem and alloy bars. At least a dozen rides before I decided to make a change. I wanted a shorter stem and carbon bar, but I wanted the GoPro/ light attachment on the stem.
Bontrager had the 45mm stem for a OneUp carbon bar and an attachment system for night light, GoPro or phone. The only colour choice was black. Perfect
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A15mm difference in geometry reach was instantly noticeable. The shorter stem gave me a better down hill position…my new body position was different for climbing though, which was not as critical even though I love climbing.
Bontrager had the 45mm stem for a OneUp carbon bar and an attachment system for night light, GoPro or phone. The only colour choice was black. Perfect
. A15mm difference in geometry reach was instantly noticeable. The shorter stem gave me a better down hill position…my new body position was different for climbing though, which was not as critical even though I love climbing.
Pas moi. I only go by feel. Might be ugly but downhill it's the bollox. On the flat who cares. Uphill use the motor. Rocket science. Not.
Enter your numbers in this chart to give you an idea and help you see the difference from changing stem length and or spacer height.
Stem Comparison Tool | yojimg.net
John_likes_bikes
Well-known member
You'll never notive a difference in a singular 5mm change. If you change bars that are a different rise, that plus the 5mm might add up.
Stormy 107
Member
30 to 35mm won't make much difference. Try Renthal apex 35 it's comes in at 33mm length. I ride 33mm on ebike and 40mm on acoustic bike. Eb is a RMB powerplay instinct and hb is RMB INSTINCT so almost identical in geo and I don't notice anything.
@Bigred123 In theory it will make the steering less responsive, but whether you will notice is up to you.
It will also make the reach longer. You will be a tiny bit more stretched out and the angle of your bollocks to the saddle will reduce. But again, whether you will notice will depend upon you.
It will also make the reach longer. You will be a tiny bit more stretched out and the angle of your bollocks to the saddle will reduce. But again, whether you will notice will depend upon you.
BostonDye
Member
A stem shouldn’t be used for bike fit… IMO it’s for altering the handling characteristics. Shorter stems will understeer and the longer the stem will oversteer. If you’re a moderately fast rider you will absolutely feel 5mm. Matching the fork offset will give the most neutral steering feel. If you ride tighter more technical trails then you should try a longer stem. Shorter stems require more bike lean angle and typically don’t like tighter corners. You will end up taking wide lines and have less front tire grip.
darwink1
Well-known member
I have never seen a 30mm diameter bar.
31.8mm diameter for alloy bars. 35mm diameter for carbon bars. (Typical)
Regardless, I use carbon assembly paste for a correct torque.
Regardless, I use carbon assembly paste for a correct torque.
There is a good choice of 35mm alloy bars (eg Renthal, Race Face) and of 31.8mm carbon bars (eg PNW, SQlab).
I stand corrected.
I have bought the 35mm alloy Renthal Fatbars to replace my 35mm Carbon bars. But it's more to do with the fact I need to cut down my bars, because of the tight tree'd terrain I regularly ride. And I didn't want to cut down my factory 800mm carbon bars.
I have bought the 760mm Renthal's and am cutting them to 720mm. I know it's not optimal. But clipping a tree at speed can end really badly ....... Ask me how I know ...... The Dislocated and split finger, from the ensuing crash, was a mess. 12 months of Hand Therapy.
It's all National Park where I ride, so you cannot trim a tree to make the path safe. Even after a storm and there are trees down. You are supposed to wait for the Rangers or "Official Volunteers" to clear the paths.
I have lifted trees off a path. But if it needs breaking or cutting. We have to leave it there.
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So that! If I can shift or cut a path through with my folding saw, I will.
$11K fine and 6 months jail terms if you are caught damaging a tree in the National Park. And the Rangers are out there. So I will not ......
@Astro66 That does not appear to cater for fallen timber.
When I drag a fallen tree or branch to one side, I am not doing any of the following: "fell, cut, destroy, injure, pick, remove or set fire to any tree, timber, plant ....."
However I see that the word "cut" may catch me out. But is a fallen tree, still a "tree" in the sense of the word? It is now just an obstruction.
In any case if I was in the USA I would not take any risk that might put me at the mercy of your judicial system. We've all seen the films!
Besides, my folding saw would not make it across to the USA from little old England.
When I drag a fallen tree or branch to one side, I am not doing any of the following: "fell, cut, destroy, injure, pick, remove or set fire to any tree, timber, plant ....."
However I see that the word "cut" may catch me out. But is a fallen tree, still a "tree" in the sense of the word? It is now just an obstruction.
In any case if I was in the USA I would not take any risk that might put me at the mercy of your judicial system. We've all seen the films!
Besides, my folding saw would not make it across to the USA from little old England.
I have spoken to the Rangers. Unfortunately it does. They are worried about animals living in fallen timber. So you need to be trained to identify the possibility of these animals. That's why they have these "Official Volunteers" who can clear the MTB and walking paths.
