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Not sure if this is bike fit or bike modifications! Any advice is very welcome.
Currently I’m on a 2016 Cube Stereo 140 (18") which is a fun enough bike but over the years I’ve found myself getting less enamoured with playing in the woods doing the same run each time (mainly since I’m to scared to ever really jump/hit drops) so have started heading out further on things closer to XC jaunts.
In an effort to make the bike a bit more suitable I’ve got a newer Fox Float with working lockout, got the stem right on the admittedly tall top cap and lower than stock rise bars.
Now looking to make it feel less cramped so looking for longer stems (stock 45mm 0 degree), I've found 50mm, 55mm and 65mm.
What I’m worried about is wrecking the handling with such changes, I have to work on keeping the front down when climbing. Any opinions either way?
The 50mm is pretty much like stock so can’t see it changing it much but the 65mm might be too much? Or just what I need! A 10mm jump is definitely noticeable on the roadie bit that's a pretty static position and susceptible to bad fit.
In general a longer stem will slow the steering slightly (not necessarily bad depending upon what you want) and also help keep the front end down on the climbs a little. That's allowing for other things all being equal, rise etc etc.
I bought a few cheap stems to try things out when I was tinkering with what was best for me then sold them again on eBay.
I bought a few cheap stems to try things out when I was tinkering with what was best for me
Yep, you have to just try it and see. If the current one is 50 mm, I'd try a 70 mm first and maybe a 90 mm if you're into XC riding. If you get a 15 degree riser stem, you can flip it upside down if you want to experiment with lower bars. You really need to spend some time trying different setups to find what works for you on the trails you ride.
You need a shock that doesn't sit too low in it's travel, ideally above 30% sag and has a small positive air chamber. Those Stereos are really low to the ground and have a pretty linear rear suspension. They are pretty much the lowest trail bikes Cube have ever done, with the shortest seat tubes, 400mm on the 18! Nice balanced jumpers and definitely the best of the old Stereos for fun jibby type riding!
Watch the driveside main pivot bolt doesn't unscrew itself (the big silver one behind the chainring), blue loctite that ****er in!
I run a 50mm rise bar (you can use the rise instead of spacers or stem rise) to ensure I lose as little reach for my stack height. A 45mm stem is too short for these bikes IMO. They were originally specced with stems around 50-70mm and IME (I've tried them all upto 80mm) 50 and upward suit the bike. I run 60 but have and will happily run 70.
I've been playing a lot recently with different stem lengths and rises, I don't feel it makes a huge difference but when I tried a certain combination I did eventually find the sweet spot. As above, try a few lengths and you can also play with bar height and push the saddle forwards slightly if you're having issues on steep climbs. I've now got 4 spare stems from my experiments, but I got there in the end!
There was a thread recently about this with some useful info. I googled it and "You'll be amazed at what I found!" Google this - site: singletrackworld.com "50mm stem" 😀
I found a useful site here which shows a 65mm stem raised by 10mm (which works since I have got a bunch of spacers above current stem) will increase reach by 18mm and moving spacers can increase or decrease it.
@chestercopperpot yeah she sits really low, doesn't help stock is 175mm cranks but I can't change them without spending far too much where for an older not ideal frame design.
doesn’t help stock is 175mm cranks
That's why mine has 170mm cranks but 165 would most likely be better. I tried an offset bushing and deep rutted trails were terrifying. Even a low volume rear tyre lead to more pedal strikes!
Lot's of paint missing off the BB on mine from unintended scrapes with slow speed (admittedly awkward and not that common) fallen trees to flat drop landings.
but 165 would most likely be better.
Got 165s for my Occam. Luvvem.
Also looking to try different stems. If anyone has 50mm or 60mm length 35mm dia stems they would lend/rent/sell then please let me know.
PM’d you