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Not having done back to back tests before, so how does altering the length of a steam change the ride of an MTB?
Longer slows steering down.
Steeper head angles (as found on more cross country bikes) will react fast to steering input
Narrower handlebars (as found on more cross country bikes) turn more for an equivalent the amount you move you hands.
A longer stem will calm the steering down a bit for more stable steering behaviour
Shorter speeds steering up.
Slacker head angles (as found on more downhill bikes) will react slow to steering input
Wider handlebars (as found on more downhill bikes) turn less for an equivalent amount you move your hands
A shorter stem will speed up the steering for a bit more active steering behaviour
Longer stems will drag your weight further forward to get more weight over the front wheel, useful for climbing and turning on flatter terrain
Shorter stems will bring your weight back, taking weight off your front wheel, making it easier to get further back on steep stuff when wanted. Also shortening the cockpit, should make it easier to move around, rather than being stuck stretched out
Something like that
Great, very helpful!