Tech Tuesday - Stem Choice and Cockpit Setup

May 3, 2011

by Richard Cunningham

What you'll need to get started: Small measuring tape or ruler, hex keys, spare stems of various lengths borrowed from a friend or local bike shop, a torque wrench is recommended to properly clamp the stem to the handlebar and steerer tube

Stem Setup Tips:

• Take a few rides to get used to stem length changes before you make a final judgment. Even a small change requires you to reposition your body over the bike, which usually feels "wrong" at first.
• Can't feel a difference? Instead of making a small, 10-millimeter change, go 15 or 20 so that you'll experience a dynamic difference in handling. You'll probably find that scaling back to a stem length half-way between the new extreme and your old standby will be perfect.
• Choose a stem made for your riding style. A super-lightweight stem may work well for a lightweight rider who has proven not to break anything on his bike. That same part, however, would probably be a ticket to the hospital's emergency ward for a FR/DH specialist. Always match the part with your bike and your riding style.
• Be sure that your new stem installation will not cause the brake hoses or shift cable housings to bind when the handlebar is turned full left and full right - or when the fork is fully extended, in the case of adjustable-travel forks.

Pinkbike's Tech Tuesday Stem-Choice and Cockpit Setup Video:

by ambrose

Views: 45,817 Faves: 49 Comments: 2

Pinkbike's video covered the basics for getting your stem length right, but we know that every rider has a slightly different idea about the perfect stem for his or her bike. Got an opinion you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it below.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Tech Tuesday Stems

Author Info:

RichardCunningham
Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

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71 Comments

42 14

rottenron (May 3, 2011 at 1:02)

With so many people rocking I-phones and I-touches, can't Pinkbike make an effort to post non flash videos only? It's so annoying. What should really happen is for Apple to start supporting flash but that's a no go.

13 4

citizenlee (May 3, 2011 at 2:18)

Agreed, PB is one of the only sites I visit where I still can't watch the videos properly on my phone (Android, not iPhone... but same problem exists).

58 9

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 2:39)

No no you don't realize what is the problem here - just visualize yourself while using your phone, no no - think for a moment that you look at yourself doing what you do with the phone for like 5 minutes: you are sitting and staring passionately at a small block of plastic and slowly touching it with a finger. If you lack imagination look around you, there will be someone else with one - stare at him for a while - no don't worry, there is a very small chance he/she will notice you

- it is not what you see in the small box, it is the box that is the problem buehehe

26 4

nouser (May 3, 2011 at 3:55)

get an android phone, does everything an iphone can do, plus it supports flash. good video thoughh!

steve-815 (May 3, 2011 at 4:52)

All the videos work with an I-pad now

20 0

Worm-Burner (May 3, 2011 at 5:23)

@rottenron, aren't you a Schwalbe tyre?

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 5:46)

@worm-burner - buahaha, +1 for you. They should make one like that, Rocket Rons dissappear so fast, that they might make it to be able to rotten anyways

Ride your tires fast, as your Rocket Ron will become a Rotten Ron!

fullbug (May 3, 2011 at 6:51)

+1 waki..it's always some kinda box that's the problem. electronic and/or organic.

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 7:33)

Since i got Iphone from work i found my self sucking at the hype nipple all the time. It's good to have some time off-line

I'm sure there's plenty of people commuting with busses or trains, using this crap, who say: "when did they built this skyscraper?" - WTF?! It's here since a year! - ah... must have missed that in the News - don't go to news sites too often U know... - WTF?! just look outside the window! - gimme a link would'ya? some gov shyte? - NO! Life!

47 0

sayword (May 3, 2011 at 8:40)

WAKIdesigns,

I currently live in NYC and everyday when I commute to work or step outside period people are linked up to some device and distracting themselves from the world around them. I honestly see on the subway a line of people sitting all staring at their stupid little gadgets. The world is going by and they don't see anything.... their world view and perspective has been simplified down to a cell phone screen.... I'm not knocking the people being productive on them, but really, how many people are enlightening themselves on their way to and from work???

One of the main reasons I enjoy cycling so much is because of what I see around me and the sounds and smells one experiences on a ride... no matter where you go, there you are. But when you have your nose glued to your phone you don't see much of anything at all.

People don't even know how to converse with each other anymore... uggghhhh.... sorry for the rant boys and girls... go ahead, let the neg props pour in.

Best.

fullbug (May 3, 2011 at 9:08)

i think it is funny that you're tech rant came in on "tech" tuesday. did you type it all in from your hand held, sayword? I agree with you. the vid on the stem thing was nice as well.

brule (May 3, 2011 at 9:22)

Since Sea Otter, all new videos do play on the Iphone, Ipad etc. Apple TV and Ipad will play all PB videos, but currently only newer videos will play on your phone. This TT was filmed a month ago and may not work on some devices.

sayword (May 3, 2011 at 9:24)

fullbug,

Totally typed it all on my iphone.... mad skillzz son, no biggie. No, I'm at work and Pinkbike is the most awesome site to burn time and get my bike fix for the day.

That's funny about the "Tech" rant on the "Tech Tuesday".... had it been a Monday I may have come off more negative, it being a Monday and all.

Best.

karl-burkat FL (May 3, 2011 at 10:10)

This video was uploaded a while ago, but ALL videos uploaded in the last week or so are now iPhone compatible Example www.pinkbike.com/video/194643

dom69foco (May 3, 2011 at 11:12)

I'm loving the phone/computer technology rants, and I totally agree. I love getting away from it all and biking or surfing or talking or just taking it in. However, just remember that I am writing this on my laptop and you are reading it on yours! We are all guilty! I should be on my bike right now...

nickydh (May 3, 2011 at 11:20)

sayword, i couldnt agree with you more, having experienced exactly the same thing taking the subways around in the mornings.

I was definitely guilty of that in my highschool years, tuning out listening to my music on the 1, but then i decided to take my bike to school purely because it was 2 minutes faster than the subway, and my life has never been the same since.

Unfortunately, im studying abroad in mexico, and dont have a bike with me, so im constantly thinking of my baby sitting at home

Lesson for all those going away for a long time-secure a bike where you're going to be, or bring your own-the separation pain becomes very hard to deal with!!!!

13 1

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 12:21)

If I may bring in another issue of separation much more connected to mountain biking: don't you guys feel that bikeparks separate you a bit from the nature? They offer tons of phun, with mechine dug trails like A-line, full of table jumps, so good that if you don't learn to whip after few days there, you never will. They give you possibility to have the best dessert in mountain biking which is downhill, no matter the bike you are on, without much pain - lift takes you up. Then off course the adrenaline and stuff, doing dangerous stuff, aking you feel like laying with fire etc. But shit... I started a small routine lately on my XC/trail rides - stop for a while. Even i the middle of flow, where heart kicks over 200bpm. Just stop and look at the nature around, texture of tree bark, roots, plants, sometimes if you stay still long enough, you will see a passing deer, i even met a capercaille (fkr jumped at me, but whatever). Don't we do it to be in nature and all this Shredding the GnaRR, doesn't it shred the link to it too?

To everybody - I DON'T SMOKE POT! I get accused everytime!

11 0

dom69foco (May 3, 2011 at 13:16)

you should. you'd be amazing

dirtydroog (May 3, 2011 at 14:00)

I don't know. The incoherence may induce whiteys in others.

B-STOCK (May 3, 2011 at 14:01)

pause at 2:46

fullbug (May 3, 2011 at 15:18)

@ waki- i learned early on to dig where you're at not where you're not. with or without pot! haha.

DanB25 (May 3, 2011 at 15:31)

wow iPhone doesnt support flash? its easy to forget how bad apple is when you pretend it doesnt exist

yannickbisson (May 3, 2011 at 16:51)

Thought I had all three dialed but then I went to Costa Rica to DH it changed everything. The frame Manu sizing does change things somewhat eg. SC and Yeti make stuff a bit shorteer and my torso is longer= longer by 10mm overall

Someone give Waki a job so he'll SHUT THE f*ck

Oh hey RC, not that simple eh?! I've been in front of the camera for 25+ years, You are awesome, enjoy it!

hoolydooly (May 3, 2011 at 20:27)

calm down matey, no need to get your nickers in a knot.

kyphoto (May 4, 2011 at 6:07)

RottenRon- Grab the SkyFire web browser. It plays most Flash movies for the times when you have to have them.

riggadon (May 5, 2011 at 9:07)

sky fire is complete shit, the streaming quality is awful. id recommend not watching videos on such a tiny screen in the first place. a larger screen makes movies look much better

UncleCliffy (May 3, 2011 at 0:36)

There are many other factors that Richard didn't get into, but the video would've been half an hour. Best thing to do is experiment to find what feels best.

WestPennHunter (May 3, 2011 at 17:48)

except not all of us can afford to buy five different stems.

UncleCliffy (May 3, 2011 at 18:53)

Your LBS should be helping you achieve proper fit. If that's not an option, find a shop that will let you test fit before you buy.

WestPennHunter (May 4, 2011 at 17:27)

but I've found that when i set up my bike and ride it up and down my street, it will feel fine, but when i get on the trail it feels different. They can help you, to a point.

riggadon (May 5, 2011 at 9:09)

my lbs has this bike fitter, what with the laser doohickeys and such. come to think of it, thats mostly for road bikes

brooce (May 3, 2011 at 4:04)

By the way of tech tips: do you guys have any tricks how to tighten up the bolts of my brake without moving the caliper? While torquing them, the caliper rotates a bit. Any idea how to stop that? Maybe it depends on the bolts I use?

wafrojo (May 3, 2011 at 4:19)

counteract the movement by putting it out of place to begin with, then when it rotates a bit its in place?

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 4:22)

it's like with tightening the cones on shimano hub. In the last moment the outer nut will rotate the cone into the cup and bearings, making it tighter than you did with fingers. My solution is, to find the proper position then move it slightly towards to the unwanted position from which the bolt is going to move it, so when it does move the caliper it will rotate it to the proper place. I find that only with tightening the upper bolt, so fasten the lower bolt to like 90% of wanted torque and then do as above with the upper one. Then upper is fastened to like 90%, fasten the lower to the wanted torque, then repeat with the upper one. tightening each one by one tighter and tighter is a good strategy for all bolts in your bike, stem, bars, cranks,

Wa-Aw (May 3, 2011 at 5:54)

Assuming it's a decent hydro brake, clamp the brake really hard as you're tightening the bolts. Brake pads both retract and you have a perfectly aligned calliper.

cloverleaf (May 3, 2011 at 6:06)

Put proper M6 washers underneath the bolts, convex side down (they have a convex and a concave side which arises from the way they're manufactured). This means that the bolt is moving independantly to the caliper and stops things moving around as you tighten it all up.

brooce (May 3, 2011 at 7:44)

the-masked-rakist: it rotates too much to act like this...
Waki: in my case, both bolts seem to move the caliper. This method is good, but still not perfect...
Wa-Aw: yes, but the caliper moves with the brake rotor when I'm torquing the bolts. Not that easy.
cloverleaf: I'll search one and try it. Now I have the simplest washers mounted...

collin7 (May 3, 2011 at 8:19)

Hold it in place with your thumb. Sounds stupid but really, just trying to force the caliper back over as you tighten it can often solve the problem.

Rattsl (May 3, 2011 at 8:30)

I completely skipped what all of you said, but....Loosen the caliper via bolts, and then rotate the wheel press the brake and while holding the brake tight, tighten the bolts. Done. Not that hard and it self centers the pads.

brooce (May 3, 2011 at 9:36)

collin: tried it, it's too hard to hold it in place by bare hands

wafrojo (May 3, 2011 at 10:07)

like my father once said. if in doubt, give it a clout. others words use a hammer

foghorn1 (May 3, 2011 at 10:11)

To stop rotation of the caliper- Squeeze and hold the brake lever, then ever so gently snug up one bolt then the other. Alternate bolts, tightening 1/8th of a turn on each until they are both tight.

Rattsl (May 3, 2011 at 11:30)

Foghorn....I just said that.

Wa-Aw (May 3, 2011 at 20:24)

Ratts....I just said that, first! Bazinga!

Rattsl (May 3, 2011 at 20:26)

Oh well.

WAKIdesigns (May 4, 2011 at 4:48)

Rattsl - yellow card! Wa-Aw - red card! Honestly cloverleafs way sounds most convenient.

collin7 (May 4, 2011 at 5:00)

brooce: bummer, I have had a couple of those before too, they are really a pain. If you only have simple flat washers then I'd definitely go with what cloverleaf said, those washers should do the trick. Most calipers should come with them but if not I'm sure the local shop has some.

bluedog74 (May 3, 2011 at 22:14)

thanks for the helpful info, i switched out my stem for a shorty a month ago on my ss 29'er and now i know why. at the time, i thought to myself, "self, this long-ass stem feels weird. i need a short stem on this here two-niner". low and behold, it feels way better, and the man himself Richard explains it all right here, right now. my day is now complete.

uzurpator (May 3, 2011 at 2:20)

I like the FOX product placement with that fork in the back

nightmareterror (May 3, 2011 at 10:11)

iphones are are very over-rated.. what happened to regular conversation anymore? Great video

socalshreder (May 3, 2011 at 16:24)

I think this is probablly one of the most important spots that is over looked. You stem and handelbar choice is important. And Maybe dumb Apple should get with program and allow flash to run on there products. Southpark was right Apple is retarted lol. PC all the way!

foghorn1 (May 6, 2011 at 11:29)

Yeah apple is retarted, But at least the os is stable and you don't have to be a computer whiz to keep it that way.

eddie1170 (May 3, 2011 at 0:23)

Good job, I found this rather interesting.

trohan (May 3, 2011 at 17:11)

any chance i can snag that 2011 fox 36 fork

dirtydroog (May 3, 2011 at 13:33)

Good stuff! Another Tech Tuesday I'd appreciate is how to choose crank lengths and how to get the right saddle height. Sadly most of my cycling these days is a city commute on an AM bike.

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 2:42)

Interesting stuff with the weight balance, and front wheel axle position/stem length while climbing. GOOD STUFF!

betsie (May 3, 2011 at 5:01)

What happens to your front wheel will also be depicted by geometry, suspension setup/type etc.
Personally I use a 50mm stem on the XC and Jump bikes, and 42mm on the AM and Dh bikes.

WAKIdesigns (May 3, 2011 at 5:41)

Yup, As far as my godly trio (Hamilton,McCormack,Wilson) advises it is better to go for longer frame in shorter stem, rather than to buy a short bike (like Santa Cruz) and then compensate with longer stems. In general no matter the bike whether it is XC, Trail, Am or even FR, when pedalling is involved - you should be able to comfortably or at least easily straighten and strain your lower back for effiency, if you can also easily strain your upper back, you are in the zone. Before widebars era, XC bikes with short stems and steep head angles were sketchy, and long stem improved handling stability a bit. But since wide bars provide so much leverage it is much easier to control dancing front wheel. Worst thing peopel can do is buy a too small frame, put a long stem and a setback seatpost on it - screwed up dh control and wheelie on uphills.

I run 70mm stem on my trail/AM bike and it's on the edge of comfortable length, but with 50mm i was too cramped to put power down. I started off with 40 and that was madness... on my XC bike proudly sits a 130mm stem, and stuff is still doable, no matter how steep it is, but corners get sketchy. No way to put the weight on the bars properly in apex and then to move back for exit

mountguitars (May 3, 2011 at 23:20)

for me, this is the most useful tech tuesday i've ever seen. specially from a confused guy who's new into FR/DH. props to pink bike for discussing this.

manicmastiff (May 3, 2011 at 2:52)

No mention about stem choice for wide bars and the stress the extra leverage can put on the stem?

dougies (May 3, 2011 at 4:07)

its unlikely that extra length will put enough extra stress on the stem for it to be to be a concern. its only really an extra 30-40mm on either side for todays wider bars. id be woried if someone designed a stem that would be at risk of failing under that extra bit of stress...

manicmastiff (May 3, 2011 at 4:50)

Certain stem manufacturers have raised concerns, especially on their direct mount stem products, stems that are designed for 695mm 31.8 bars will have issues with 800mm 31.8 bars, to put it another way, if you are using a E13 direct mount Boxxer stem from 2007/8 designed to take the flex & stress of a 695mm - 710mm bar, the extra weight from upper body pressure on a 740mm - 800mm will be cause for concern with a stem that has no steerer tube attachment..

dougies (May 3, 2011 at 5:40)

ah fair enough, i had a steerer tube stem in my head

jonbath FL (May 3, 2011 at 9:16)

More importantly, the Tech Tuesday awkward video cap is back!

k2dan (May 3, 2011 at 15:23)

no one is talking about the vid here ,lol ,nice too see you richard and not in the pages of mtba

wes101 (May 3, 2011 at 18:21)

what about for dj and street?

iamamodel (May 4, 2011 at 1:26)

40 to 50 mm. Forty is about as short as you'll find since the measurement is from the centre of the steerer tube to the centre of the bars - so you've already blown length right there. My 40 makes the bars very close to the steerer tube.

wes101 (May 4, 2011 at 19:32)

most dh stems are then suitable for dj is they are not dm

boggie (May 3, 2011 at 7:19)

Point One Split Second stem and a Renthal Fatbar is the way to go!

rismtb (May 3, 2011 at 8:42)

For Sale 140mm 1" stem.

cardsagainsthumanity (May 15, 2015 at 22:40)

This video was Rad