80mm stem: bad handling?

djconnel said:

80mm stems are relatively rare: 90mm are far more common. I want to take my 100mm stem down to 80cm to give me a more confortable reach, even for the same back position. However, I wonder if this is going to result in inferior handling, and if I'd be better off just getting a new frame (obviously the more expensive option).

Dan

I think you'll be fine. Taking 20 mm (~3/4"😉 off your stem will reduce the weight you have on the front wheel. IMO, that might affect stability on high-speed descending, but not much else handling-wise.

Most of the handling characteristics of the bike is determined by the frame geometry, not the stem length. Imagine riding with no hands, you are relying entirely on the frame geometry since your hands aren't touching the bars. A shorter stem does make the steering feel lighter with your hands on the bars. With road bars moving the hands forward or back on the bars has the same type of effect. I ride with an 80 mm stem on straight bars and prefer the feel and the riding position it gives. I think the stem length has more to do with fitting the bike to your personal preference.

dhk2 said:

I think you'll be fine. Taking 20 mm (~3/4"😉 off your stem will reduce the weight you have on the front wheel. IMO, that might affect stability on high-speed descending, but not much else handling-wise.

Well, stability on high speed descending is a big deal (there's a lot of descending involved in my riding) -- one biff would likely cost me more than a new frame 🙂. But I think it's obviously worth it to give the stem a try.

thanks,
Dan

djconnel said:

Well, stability on high speed descending is a big deal (there's a lot of descending involved in my riding) -- one biff would likely cost me more than a new frame 🙂. But I think it's obviously worth it to give the stem a try.

thanks,
Dan

Yeah, if you're used to fast descends, you probably get your weight low already as the speeds go up so the stem length may not matter that much anyway.

Agree avoiding the big biff at high speed is a given...50 mph downhill may be fun, but coming home with all the skin intact is always the first priority 🙂