Hi guys,
Has anyone run a 50mm stem on a 140mm hard tail or the like? Was it too short for general riding etc? What's your thoughts? (its a 17" P7 btw)
Ta 😀
Yes I do
No I don't
It does everything from 130mm QR pootling to 150mm bolt through gnarcore-extream-uplift.
But, if your bikes comfortable with what it currently has, it might be too short with the new stem. And a short stem doesnt make a bad bike good or an XC bike int a DH machine much as people with flat pedal and body armou on giant anthems will tell you otherwise.
Hi TINAS,
Its a new build so I haven't had chance to use another stem length, I was thinking of a 90mm stem but various changes have meant me looking at a different stem, and a couple of 50mm's have caught my eye, so just wanted to see what others thought? 😀
90mm would be too long. The idea of an lt trail bike is surely to have a short stem on it for better downhill capabilities. Ive seen pictures on here of far to many long travel trail bikes ruined with a long stem.
I think too many of your casual xc riders are jumping on board the LT hardtail band wagon and just assuming they should be using a long stem because they want the "stretched out" xc riding position.
Its not a proper xc bike, you shouldnt have a super stretched out postion.
70mm max I would say.
I have a 50mm stem on my 17" Prince Albert and it works fine for all duties, including all day xc rides.
I agree with DTF, I currently have a Genesis Abyss (140mm fork) with a 50mm stem, my bike is the small (they only did\do two sizes). Anyway currently looking at a 70mm to give me that wee bit more stretch but keep it's handling characteristics. TBH though the bike as it is, is ace....
I'd look at 70mm stems on the P7, its not as raked out a frame as something like a 456 which as very long chainstays which push your weigh onto the front, which can then be complimented by a short stem to keep things ballanced.
A normal bike with normal chainstays and a short stem will be wheelie tastic.
If a bikes slack, with long chainstays and a long top tube, a short stem will work (the 456, or a downhill race bike)
If a bikes steep, with short chainstays, and a short top tube (DMR switchback or trailstar LT for example, or to contrast with the DH race bike mentioned above, a FR bike where the wheelieness is a benifit so short stems are used) then a 90mm stem feels best (The DMR was almost unridable with a 50mm).
Try it with a cheep stem, if you like it keep it, but dont be afraid to swap them arround and dont fall for the shorter is better bandwaggon.
50mm on my Alpine, it's radtacular.
TINAS, surely the whole point of an LT hardtail is to have fun on the downhills? Why else would you need all that travel? I mean if your putting a 90mm stem on it then fair enough it may climb a bit better but its gonna be shitter down the hill.
If you've got a frame designed for a short stem and long forks like a ragley or something then great stuff, if your frame isn't (like the dmr) just stick a short stem on it anyway and live with the bad climbing
50mm on my Evil here. Had a 75mm stem on for a little while and couldn't believe the difference. I might even try and get hold of something even shorter to make it snappier still...
just stick a short stem on it anyway and live with the bad climbing
No, it decended like a scalded cat over trail center style bermed runs, better than the 456 that replaced it, the 90mm stem was perfect, because thats what the designer obviously intended.
Sticking a short stem on it ruined it (I tried both 70mm and 50mm)
Similarly I wouldn't put the 90mm on the 456 as its about a degree slacker (the forks are about 2" taller as well making it about 4deg in total slacker) and it would make the front end ridiculously hard to lift.
You can't look at stem length in isolation, otherwise why dont you run a 0mm stem, after all surely that would give you the zero (geddit) comprimise ride your after.
You can't look at stem length in isolation, otherwise why dont you run a 0mm stem, after all surely that would give you the zero (geddit) comprimise ride your after.
I actually turn my stem round to give me -60mm, this is even better
I can sort of see your point but I cant see how it would be any good over jumps and similar gnarly obstacles such as steps and 1 foot+ drop offs.
I used a 70mm stem on my LT hardtail (i had been doing to much xc mincing in the uk and didnt change it) in france and it felt a bit funny on quite a few of the jumps, I think my weight was too far forward.
100mm for me. Couldn't give a toss about what you should or shouldn't do. It feels right to me.
I can sort of see your point but I cant see how it would be any good over jumps and similar gnarly obstacles such as steps and 1 foot+ drop offs.
Well you'll just have to believe me, it was as good as the 456 is with the 50mm stem.
It suffered on flat out rocky terrain (some bits of the peaks and definately would have suffered in Spain) due to the shorter wheeebase, but on the smooth buffed singletrack of the UK both bikes were pretty much equal.
1 foot+ drop offs.
is not gnarr, its cyclocross teritory
IIRC Orange spec a 70mm stem with the 17" frame, but I'm quite long in the upper body, so thats what made me think a 90mm stem would be about right?
So it looks like a 50mm maybe too short? I may have to get a cheap 2nd hand one and have a play? Just got some coin burning a hole in my pocket to get a decent stem.