Just about to build up a Genesis Latitude 17.5" frame (2012 model) and was asking for advice in the minefield of stem and bar lengths. I've narrowed it down to an 80mm stem with a slight rise with 685mm bars. This is just a guess really for mainly xc riding, trail centres and the odd race. What do singletrack members think? Any advice from experience would be really helpful.
Cheers
slightly shorter stem, slightly wider bars, you won't regret it
what tim said. I had mine with a 70mm stem and 711 mm wide bars. I wanted to change the stem to 60mm
you might, it depends
a 60mm stem and 740mm bars might not perfect for an (xc?) race, but might be a hoot on a decent trail centre descent?
What fork are you building it with?
How tall are you?
80mm stem, 685mm bars are a good middleground for ups and downs and not being really tall or not tall. Depending on whether the frame is a bit big or small for you you could choose a stem to compensate a bit
75/680 will shit all over that.
70/711 approx be my choice
I've got 80mm stem & 711 bars on my Altitude. Could do with a shorter stem.
Contrary to popular convention, I've got a 90mm stem on mine. I tried it with a 70, but tbh felt it slowed the handling down for my liking, shifted my weight too far back, and felt a touch cramped.
I'm keen to try an 80/85mm stem on it though, see how that feels by comparison.
Oh, and got 711mm wide bars on it too. I'm a latecomer to wide(r) bars, but they definitely improve things IMO.
70/720 would be my choice.
I'm a bit late in replying to these, but thanks for the good advice. I'm building the frame with 120mm rebas, I'm 5' 9'' and the frame size is 17.5"
sounds like wider bars will be better for handling, so the 60/70mm stem
and 700+ bars could be the choice. I suppose a collection of stems and bars are the way forward!
Cheers guys
It's a pretty personal ting but i'm running a 80mm stem and 660mm bars. I want something a little wider though. This bike is used for easyish XC, multi day trips in the mountains and trail centres.
Cheers Paul. i guess its down to personal choice and sounds like your riding is similar to mine. I may get some cheap stem options on ebay and try them all out!
sounds exact to my felt build and were same height i went with a 75mm stem and 685 bar both in 25.4 to give some flex i found 31.8 abit stiff