[email protected] wrote:
> I thought I saw something, in perhaps, Sloane's book, that said to
> place your elbow at the nose of the seat & see where the end of your
> fingertips reach. That would be the correct stem length.
That's a rule of thumb, and it doesn't apply everywhere. Differing
riding styles (i.e. upright townie bike vs. low-slung racer) lead to
different reaches. Differing body types (i.e. small hands, short arms
compared to other people your height) lead to different reaches. Since
your dimensions are well away from the mean, I suggest you ignore any of
these rules of thumb. Should you encounter this rule of thumb, ignore it
too: the handlebar should obscure the front axle when riding.
The *only* way to determine proper reach for your body and riding style
is experimentation. You might start with one of the above rules of thumb
if you wish to pursue this on your own, but do not be surprised to find
that it's way off. A better approach would be to find a local bike shop
or club with knowledgeable staff or riders. They should be able to get
you closer to optimum at first crack, and if it's a bike shop, they may
even have various stem lengths that you can use for a few days while you
find your favorite setup.
Sorry we can't give you a simple formula. Good luck with your hunt.
--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu
Everyone confesses that exertion which brings out all the powers of body
and mind is the best thing for us; but most people do all they can to
get rid of it, and as a general rule nobody does much more than
circumstances drive them to do. -Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist and
novelist (1811-1896)