Changed my stem today-WOW! riding on cloud 9

[DebW]

The other benefits of a long-enough stem (or a short-enough top tube) are that you can get more weight over the front wheel when descending, which makes high speed more stable, and you can get your weight further forward when standing on climbs. These things may or may not be important to you, depending on how you climb and how fast you descend.

[jobob]

I use shorter top stems on both of my Rivendells, the 70 mm stem instead the 100 mm. Made a world of difference for me, too.

I didn't notice any difference in handling going from the 100 mm top stem to the 70 mm.

And I'm told by those in the know that I descend pretty quickly....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Cool!
I feel so beautifully balanced on my bike now. Yeah, I could play the piano now...or the banjo even! while riding. Before, I couldn't even ride in the drops at ALL because of feeling like I was going to fall forward all the time. Now...easy and comfortable to tuck right down into the drops.
Seriously, I feel I can MOVE around into any position now, instead of feeling like I was trying to do a handstand....I can now balance my weight beautifully over my legs and solar plexis. What a great feeling. Amazing what a difference a 3cm change will make.

[esther231]

Happy for you, Lisa.

I'm like that too. I like to move about on my bike and want all three positions to be easy to get to and feel comfortable in them.

Congrats. Enjoy.

[sp0okYrider]

I am right now riding my fiance's bike because my gearshift broke. He is 6'2" and I am pretty sure his bike is not a good fit for me (I am 5'5"). It's a MTB with armadillo slickers on it. It's a nicer bike than mine is, and I really like how much smoother it is, but my back has been starting to hurt. I find myself riding with my hands arched funny pushing my body up...ugh. I really should get my bike in and fixed, or figure out a way to get this one to fit me better. (He has another bike he uses, so he doesn't care if I take this one over...).

Glad you are so comfortable. I am green with envy! LOL

~J

[Kano]

The other benefits of a long-enough stem (or a short-enough top tube) are that you can get more weight over the front wheel when descending, which makes high speed more stable, and you can get your weight further forward when standing on climbs. These things may or may not be important to you, depending on how you climb and how fast you descend.

So, Deb, in a sense, what you're saying is that it's no wonder we who ride upright hybrid/comfort bikes may be a bit spooked on downhill runs? The design of the bike makes it inherently a bit less stable and so we have more shimmies and wobbles? This would be why we like our brake levers a lot while on descents?

(and things I've read lately on climbing lead me to think it wouldn't hurt to find someone to give me climbing lessons!)

Karen in Boise