Adjustable stems

[sandra]

I went to the LBS and we discussed my bike. I was going to get him to order a shorter stem for me. He suggested an adjustable stem.

The only reason I didn't go with it was because it is silver and my stem is black! He said "yes, it is going to look different, but it will be more comfortable".

Am I crazy? Any reviews on adjustable stems?

[rij73]

They are good if you are a new rider. As you get more flexible, you can adjust the stem. But, if you have been riding a while, you should know what you need. At least that was my experience. My first bike had an adjustable stem. Over the course of the first 3 months of riding I kept adjusting the handlebars lower and lower as I got more flexible. When I got my road bike, I new what stem angle I was comfortable with.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think it's a good idea for someone new to road bikes.

I would have liked one!-
In one year of riding, I went from a 9 stem (came on the bike), to a 5, then to a 7 where I feel comfy now. My body and my reach kept changing over that first year....and it's STILL changing!

Hey, you will likely be swapping various parts on your bike over time you own it.
So you can always get a black stem again after a year or two of using this adjustable one.
Bikes are frames....everything else is just swapping parts.

[sandra]

I was also a little concerned about the weight. I held it and it was pretty heavy!

[rij73]

The weight is why I wouldn't stick with it once you had your position settled. I was ready to swap mine out for a lighter stem until I decided to just go ahead and get a whole new bike!

[sandra]

I decided I would go with the shorter stem. Mine is not marked, so it was hard to tell what size it is. From the measurements I took and gave him on the phone, he said it sounded like it was an "80". He's going to try to see if he can get a shorter one and said he would get a "high rise" stem.

Please intrepret for me.

[rij73]

A higher rise will bring the handlebars higher up. It will tilt them up towards you...

[sandra]

ooooooooh good.

Are you familiar with an "80"? Lisa is talking 5, 7 & 9 and he is talking 80!

[rij73]

80 is 8. Some people say 80mm, and some say 8cm. Same thing!

[sundial]

I just had an adjustable stem put on hubby's bike because he wanted to sit more upright on his Trek. He doesn't think he'll use the drops much if any. I had the LBS put it on and raise it as high as it goes. We'll see what his verdict is after our ride tomorrow.

[sandra]

We'll see what his verdict is after our ride tomorrow.

Please let me know. This may be the solution for my husband too, although all I need is a tiny bit of difference.

[Voodoo Sally]

Adjustable stems are definitely not something you want to have after you have determined what length and rise you like. They are heavy, and the bolt wears out, causing the stem to keep on slipping down.

[Zen]

The only reason I didn't go with it was because it is silver and my stem is black! He said "yes, it is going to look different, but it will be more comfortable".

Electrical tape

[KnottedYet]

My LBS doesn't like the adjustable stems, also because the bolt eventually wears out. If you use the adjustable as a tool to decide what solid stem to eventually choose, it sounds like an awesome solution.

(of course, if the bike co's would just bring back QUILL STEMS we wouldn't be having so many of these issues... ) <that was my curmudgeon moment>

[Bike Goddess]

I have an adjustable stem on one of my road bikes. (It is black BTW). I got it at Performance a few years ago. I've ridden many a mile with it and haven't had any problems.

Now that I am back on the bike (broken humerus-8 months ago)I decided that the angle of the stem was down too low and therefore I was putting too much pressure on my stiff arm. So we adjusted it up which feels much better. We marked the new spot with a piece of red tape so we know where it is now in case I want to change it again. This procedure took all of 5 minutes to do which is why I like this option.

One of the reasons I put an adjustable stem on in the first place was to see if it would make a difference climbing as we have a lot of hills around here. I haven't changed back so I'd say for now, I'm glad I did it.