Help with stem angle/length

Hi there, y'all.

I have a Surly Cross Check that I've been riding as a daily commuter and doing a little light touring on. It's a 50cm frame and I love everything about it except that it's just too stretched out, and I find that after riding for more than about 30 minutes, it starts to get uncomfortable around my neck & shoulders. I'm 5'8" but have a shorter torso, which is the problem.

I'd like to raise the bars a bit and shorten the stem, but the question is how much (i.e., which stem should I buy)? The web site says that my stem has an 83º angle and is 80mm long. The 2011 catalog says the stem's angle is 97º and is 100mm long. There are no markings on the stem that tell me how big it actually is.

Modern Bike has a bunch of 26.0mm stems that will work, but I'm hoping to get a little advice from all y'all. Thanks in advance!
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126181126

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't quite know how the angle of the stem equates to the degree of rise I would get and how that then affects the reach. So, if I have something that is 83º and I want to raise the bars, do I get something that is 107º and go down to 80mm, or 125º and 90mm, or some other combination of measurements?

Perhaps this chart might help.

http://www.habcycles.com/fitting.html

I would recommend that you go visit a fitter.

--Metaphase ;)
Also, nerd.

You need to sort out the cause of your symptoms so that you fix the right thing.
I could list 10 things that could be causing the issues you have.
Save your time and money. +1 Fitter.

-GOINGTHRUAPhase

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anaphase

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't quite know how the angle of the stem equates to the degree of rise I would get and how that then affects the reach.

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Here's a fun calculator (with graphics):

http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

Quote:

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Perhaps this chart might help.

http://www.habcycles.com/fitting.html

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That is a really cool tool.

ETS - +1 on the fitter. It really is more complex than changing a stem, usually.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anaphase

The web site says that my stem has an 83º angle and is 80mm long. The 2011 catalog says the stem's angle is 97º and is 100mm long.

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FYI, an 83º stem can become a 97º stem simply by flipping it upside down. Many stems have the brand name both rightside up an upside down just so they look normal both ways.

If you want to try measuring your existing stem, eyeball the center line of the handlebar and the center line of the steerer. Measure between those points.

+1 on the fitter.

But having said that... I've been exactly where you are, with a 50cm Surly CC. Changing to a 60mm 35 degree rise stem was possibly the most significant and effective of the various changes made to shorten the reach. The other was changing to handlebars with shorter reach (also shallower drop and narrower width).

Details and pics here.

Hope you get things sorted and get back to enjoying those miles...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by laura*

FYI, an 83º stem can become a 97º stem simply by flipping it upside down. Many stems have the brand name both rightside up an upside down just so they look normal both ways.

If you want to try measuring your existing stem, eyeball the center line of the handlebar and the center line of the steerer. Measure between those points.

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Good point, although I'd be willing to bet that when the OP's shop built up the bike, they installed the stem in the positive rise position. That just seems to be the norm anymore on non-racing bikes. But, certainly, it's worth checking.

So thanks for the charts & links and for your input. Very helpful.

I did measure everything and determined that a) the stem is an 80mm not 100mm, b) that it's installed already with the higher rise. Then I went to the women-owned bike shop that is SO much better than my other LBS, and they worked with me on the fit, which is fine except for the stem. They didn't have the shorter & taller one in stock, but ordered it for me. YAY! :)

Sounds like you were well taken care of at your new LBS. YAY. Are you OK with naming the women's owned shop?