Cockpit Setup - Stem Length

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Cockpit Setup - Stem Length
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flag funboi-parisi
O+
Posted: Feb 28, 2020 at 10:32 Quote
Long time lurker, first-time thread-starter. Be gentle.

Please help me out to understand if a longer stem will help me balance out in the cockpit a bit better. I'm going to try a 50mm length, after running a 35mm on my Hightower LT, and now Megatower. Some factors:

•I'm a pretty average height for a size Large frame rider (5'11")
•I have very long arms in relation to my overall height (I think I've heard that an average wingspan would match your height)
•I had a really hard time staying centered in my Hightower LT. I felt like I was hanging on, overly weighting the back, and constantly pulling myself forward.
•Upon switching to the Megatower, I felt way more centered, way more in the middle of the bike. I feel this all over the trail, especially in comfort in turning, and the pain in my hands (since there is no longer an intense grip, while hanging off the back of the bike)

So basically, I'm going to try out this 50mm length stem to see if I feel even MORE centered and in-control. What other characteristics should I pay attention to while riding to understand if this stem length is better?
flag funboi-parisi
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Posted: Feb 28, 2020 at 10:34 Quote
Another bit of evidence can be found in my profile picture - I'm "squatting" and sitting very upright - that was a photo of me on my Hightower LT. Was that a symptom of being too far off the back of the bike? I'm also hoping that this stem switch could help out my attack-posture.
flag manachim
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 6:49 Quote
I guess you feel more comfortable in Megatower not because of the geometry, but rather the bike design which makes you feel in the bike rather than on the bike.

As for the stem length, just go with the length that fit you most. There is no right or wrong if its just between 35 or 50 mm length. I think its all depends on how your riding style.

Some people love roomy cockpit, some people like tight cockpit. The only thing that matters is you feel that your body is in the center of the bike and you can still handle it well if you switch your body into full attack position.

That's my opinion thou.
flag skerby
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 7:45 Quote
I've noticed that bad fork setup tends to put me in the backseat. It could be as simple as different fork setup. I like to ride over the front of my bike and I need a certain amount of LSC to make that possible.

I'm same height as you, bike has 470mm reach and a 50mm stem. Try a 50 and you will know what you like better right away.
flag cmcrawfo
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 8:15 Quote
^^ I think ensuing proper suspension set up a super valid point.

How long have been riding for? What other bikes have your ridden in similar terrain in the past?


I would just get a few different length stems and try them out, back to back.
flag funboi-parisi
O+
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 8:40 Quote
Great info. Here are some answers and some more context:

•This will be my 6th season riding. I race some enduro and ride a fair bit of park. I tend to ride the more difficult/fun trails
•My bike before the Hightower LT was a Yeti SB5 (650b), and I felt way more IN the cockpit (to use manachim's phrase) with SB5 than I ever did with the Hightower LT. And now I feel way more IN the cockpit again.
*I upforked that Hightower LT from a 160 to a 170
•I did change the fork and the rear shock on the HTLT and dial the settings a ton. I wouldn't say I could feel the difference in 1 click of compression or rebound, but I do think I am fairly understanding of what the suspension is doing (but I guess you never KNOW). With pretty much all suspension changes, I felt like I was hanging on/hanging off the back of the bike on the HTLT
•Just to reiterate, I have really long arms. Does stem length affect/interact/matter for a data point like that?
flag muddytreker
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 8:43 Quote
"Long time lurker, first-time thread-starter. Be gentle."


Get a grip yah daisy, roll around in some stinger nettles should straighten you out : )
flag cmcrawfo
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 9:36 Quote
funboi-parisi wrote:
Does stem length affect/interact/matter for a data point like that?

I think stem length would be relevant to your context.

Do you know if there much variation the stated reach numbers of the SB5 vs the HT?
flag funboi-parisi
O+
Posted: Mar 4, 2020 at 11:14 Quote
cmcrawfo wrote:
funboi-parisi wrote:
Does stem length affect/interact/matter for a data point like that?

I think stem length would be relevant to your context.

Do you know if there much variation the stated reach numbers of the SB5 vs the HT?

Actually, the HTLT was 9mm longer and 0.3 degrees slacker in the HT...

SB5 was ~3mm longer in the chainstay
flag eshew
Posted: Mar 6, 2020 at 21:50 Quote
Bar length, bar rise and stem length can all play a factor. When I was testing out my last cockpit setup I bought a few bars & stenson closeout to try them out. Colors were orange & blue but they sold well after I found my right setup.
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