Bike Stem Length Limits?

I don't see why not. I humbly stand to be corrected by those more knowledgable than I, but I don't think stem length in and of itself is terribly relevant ... e.g. if you use old standard Cinelli bars (short reach non-anatomic), you'll need a much longer stem than you will with most of the newer anatomic bars if you want your hands to be in the same place when on the brake hoods.

The key, really, is simply the fore-aft weight balance when you're in your normal riding position. You wouldn't want to have way too much weight over the front wheel because the handling will suffer. But I think the "no stems over 130mm" thing that you hear off and on is kinda like the "knee of pedal spindle" thing: an old wive's tale that's pretty irrelevant all by itself.

One thing that's interesting is if you watch some of the Euro pros, they ride with looooooooooong stems. It seems to me most US-made bikes have longer top tubes and the designers kinda expect the rider to use an 11 or 12 cm stem on a mid/large frame, where as the Euro bikes have shorter TT and a 13, 14 cm or more stem is par for _la course_.

JOHN CORDELL said:

I am trying to make a frame work though it may be too small. I have
tried to match my fit on my road bike to my fit on a cyclocross bike
that I am using during the winter. I think I need a 150mm stem to match.
Is such a stem made and will the bike handle ok?

150mm stems once were common for mountain bikes. There's no real reason
why you couldn't use one on a 'cross bike, although the clamp diameter
may not match. If you get a steel stem, you should be able to pry it
out enough to clamp a set of road bars properly.

Once upon a time I did this on a frame that was too small for me. I
found that the handling was a little spooky- so I sold the bike.

Jeff

JOHN CORDELL said:

I am trying to make a frame work though it may be too small. I have
tried to match my fit on my road bike to my fit on a cyclocross bike
that I am using during the winter. I think I need a 150mm stem to match.
Is such a stem made and will the bike handle ok?

150mm is pretty long for any kind of "road bike" - the handling will
probably suffer a bit, especially when climbing or sprinting out of
the saddle.

If the 150mm stem is for the 'cross bike, AND the 'cross bike has a
relatively slack head tube angle, and a bit of rake to the fork it
might not hurt the handling too much.

Some folks go with a bit shorter "cockpit length" (top tube plus stem
horizontal reach) in the winter, so you might consider cheating by a
cm or two when sizing the fork for the 'cross bike.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

JOHN CORDELL said:

I am trying to make a frame work though it may be too small. I have
tried to match my fit on my road bike to my fit on a cyclocross bike
that I am using during the winter. I think I need a 150mm stem to match.
Is such a stem made and will the bike handle ok?

thanks to all who repsonded..

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

I am trying to make a frame work though it may be too small. I have
tried to match my fit on my road bike to my fit on a cyclocross bike
that I am using during the winter. I think I need a 150mm stem to match.
Is such a stem made and will the bike handle ok?

You can get MTB stems in that length. You will just have to find 25.4
drop bars to fit the stem. Shouldn't be a problem find the bars, just
don't expect them to be one of the fancy italian brands.
-------------
Alex

In article <[email hidden]>, Alex Rodriguez says...

Quoted message said:

You can get MTB stems in that length. You will just have to find 25.4
drop bars to fit the stem. Shouldn't be a problem find the bars, just
don't expect them to be one of the fancy italian brands.
-------------
Alex

If the clamp part of the stem is aluminum a few minutes work with a half-round
[censored] file will make it fit 26mm bars nicely. I have done it. These files
are available with a 1/2 inch radius which is exactly what you need.

JOHN CORDELL said:

I am trying to make a frame work though it may be too small. I have
tried to match my fit on my road bike to my fit on a cyclocross bike
that I am using during the winter. I think I need a 150mm stem to
match. Is such a stem made and will the bike handle ok?

I've gotten used to 60mm or shorter stems on my MTB and road bike. I hate
anything longer.

So on the flip side, you should be fine, once you get used to it.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training