I got a bike fit session with my road bike after suffereing back stiffness and fatigue on long rides. One of the mods was stem flipped to get bars higher, so it now angles up, rather than horizontal, and looks a bit twee to me. As I’m not a roadie by trade, I’m not so tuned in to roadie aethstitics and fashion rules. So, is my stem positin now in the same bracket as chain guards and kick stands as far as coolness goes?

Incidently, what a difference the mods made – first ride out, 70 miles, about 20% of the fatigue and stiffness in my lower back, and much stronger on seated climbing.

I think you are making judgements about roadies based on views expressed in forums, if the bike fits you then no one will care.
Or comment or even stop to think about it.

what a difference the mods made – first ride out, 70 miles, about 20% of the fatigue and stiffness in my lower back, and much stronger on seated climbing

I’d stop worrying about how your stem looks 😉

other answer is to get a bikw ith a longer headtube so you can achieve the same position with a flipped/slammed stem.

yes

http://slamthatstem.com/

I have one stem flipped MTB style and on another bike it’s the other way

Both bikes fit me well, that all I care about

I got a bike fit session with my road bike after suffereing back stiffness and fatigue on long rides.

When I first read this I thought you’d got a bike fit cause you were getting tired on long rides lol.

If everyone was capable of slamming it wouldn’t be cool. At least you tried.

I know I should stop caring how the stem looks, and I’ve no intention to change back.

IMO riders in all genres have rules, spoken or otherwise about what looks right and wrong for that niche of cycling. I don’t think roadies are better or worse than any other. Look how upset downhillers got with skin suits…

Anyway, tell me more about this slammed stem thing? For some one who is tuned in to that look, what does it say to them about the rider?

Yes – fashion says slam it.

But – far better to keep it where it is!! I am in the same situation!

http://slamthatstem.com/

I don’t get it.

RealMan, weren’t you seen running a few spacers and a positive rise on your road bike?

Yes. The uncoolness will slow you down far more than any back pain – get it sorted.

Maybe years ago when I first got a road bike and didn’t know better.

No prizes for guessing what happened.

No prizes for guessing what happened.

someone commented on the weeds under your fence?

😀

Not really my fence though.

Maybe years ago when I first got a road bike and didn’t know better. No prizes for guessing what happened.

Someone pulled you up on using SPD’s on a road bike and breaking the rules with your bar tape/saddle combo?

Someone pulled you up on using SPD’s on a road bike and breaking the rules with your bar tape/saddle combo?

Oddly enough you’re right there. However, there’s still nothing wrong with spds on a road bike, IDK where people get that from. Also bar tape is now bright green. And there’s a different saddle on there (that was just a temp thing off my bmx).

I’ve got spd’s on my road bike too, and ride in my mtb shoes. Does this mean I was un-cool all along? What other roadie fashion crimes am I inadvertently commiting?

The Rules

SPDs are fine. Mtb shoes.. grey area. As long as they’re not like fivetens or covered in mud, you’re probably ok.

nick craig did the sydney olympics road race with spd’s and a peak on his helmet.

and nick is cool!

….And does this explain why no serious looking roadie has ever returned my greetings out on the road? 😉

nick craig did the sydney olympics road race with spd’s and a peak on his helmet.

That must have really helped him 🙂

After a “let’s see your road bike thread” most of the STW road bikes had their stems set to faux pas.

It’s better to be comfy and ride faster/for longer than to strain yourself for the approval of a snob. As said you could change frames to keep your stem flipped, but that’s a bit daft 🙂

Unless your bike’s fancy and you’re wearing the ‘right’ kit the snobs will probably judge anyway.

Simmer down buttercup. I’m all about what works on my road bike. Balls to the rules.

But if you are going to spout shit like:

If everyone was capable of slamming it wouldn’t be cool. At least you tried.

Then perhaps you should make sure you’re 100% compliant.

Mmmmmmmkay?

Rule #34 // Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place.
On a mountain bike.

SPDs are fine. Mtb shoes.. grey area. As long as they’re not like fivetens or covered in mud, you’re probably ok.

More top advice from a STW cycling expert.

I’d only ask two questions about this.
A) Can you ride longer – Yes
B) Do you enjoy your riding more – Yes (it seems that way from what you’ve written.

Therefore You’ve made the right decision haven’t you. And them rules, who really cares about them except proper roadie snobs.

The “rules” are bullshit. I know it’s a bit of fun, but, really just go and ride your bike.

If you slam your stem, your bike might look cool, but you’ll look a dick with your belly banging your shins.

NC might not have finished the olympic rr, but he earned his place there, mtb shoes and all, he’s still faster than probably everyone on here! 😉

I think I’ve only ever met Realman who thinks it is in any way important, and even he doesn’t really take it seriously.

Get comfy, ride loads. Your position may change over time anyway, initially as you become more able to ride in a road position, then as you realise you can go lower or stretch out more, or that you are comfortable and efficient exactly where you are.

It’s not about what the bike looks like in the car park, unlike certain other two wheeled hobbies.

btw, I am a roadie!!! 😆

It’s better to be comfy and ride faster/for longer than to strain yourself for the approval of a snob.

it’s better to have flexibility to get lower and go faster with less effort and still be comfortable.

If you slam your stem, your bike might look cool, but you’ll look a dick with your belly banging your shins.

that’s depends if you have a belly, those without a paunch will not be banging their shins.

Thanks for the rules – fascinating.

Current failure points:

No frame-mounted pumps.
Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets
Shave your guns
Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place (On a mountain bike.)
No visors on the road.
Never ride without your eyewear
Slam your stem
Slide your saddle back.
Espresso or macchiato only.
Ditch the washer-nut and valve-stem cap.
The Ride Starts on Time. No exceptions.
Never Get Out of the Big Ring
No Food On Training Rides Under Four Hours

if the bike fits you then no one will care.

Meh, I do (it does look a bit crap), but I’m an elitist snob. 😉

The Rules – whilst very firmly tongue in cheek are pretty accurate I reckon!

SPDs on a road bike is a no though RM.

Espresso or macchiato only

for the urbane roadie a piccolo or ristretto is perfectly acceptable.

SPDs on a road bike is a no though RM.

Even single sided ones?

(note the stem position 😉 )

nice bike, appears compliant, but note the following advisory:

Rule #26//Make your bike photogenic.

Valve stems should be at 6 o’clock

I ride my bike to break my legs not my back.

if your that bothered get a fork with a longer steerer tube.

if your that bothered get a fork with a longer steerer tube.

Not an option:

Rule #45// Slam your stem.

A maximum stack height of 2cm is allowed below the stem ….

my results

No frame-mounted pumps. – no a mini
Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets – nah small saddle bag.
Shave your guns – been there once, not again
Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place (On a mountain bike.) – or my road bike (white shoes)
No visors on the road. – agree
Never ride without your eyewear – agree
Slam your stem – nope horizontal with spacers
Slide your saddle back. – no its just right
Espresso or macchiato only. – reg italian black
Ditch the washer-nut and valve-stem cap. – yes but by accident
The Ride Starts on Time. No exceptions. – yes agree
Never Get Out of the Big Ring – often a SS so no choice
No Food On Training Rides Under Four Hours – unless in the pub

No frame-mounted pumps. – no a mini
Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets – yes.
Shave your guns – for racing only or riding on the continent.
Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place (On a mountain bike.) – flashy white/silver/black disco slippers are compulsory.
No visors on the road. – agree
Never ride without your eyewear – agree
Slam your stem – yes, 1 small spacer above headset stem flipped down
Slide your saddle back. – no, get a bike witht the correct seat angle/top tube.
Espresso or macchiato only. – see previous post, artisan roasted beans and no lifting little finger while drinking.
Ditch the washer-nut and valve-stem cap. – cap yes, washer no.
The Ride Starts on Time. No exceptions. – yes agree
Never Get Out of the Big Ring – no, spin for the win.
No Food On Training Rides Under Four Hours – no. eat little and often on the move, no stopping at all apart from at the end of ride for espresso.

Even single sided ones?

They’re just about acceptable. These ones would be better:

Egg beaters must be OK – especially if they say Look on them?

Look at it this way: with a higher stem you’ll be able to spend more time on the drops as they’ll be more comfortable too.