New Stem?

[indysteel]

The ideal stem length for you is a function of your reach. I'm assuming you want to change your current set-up because you feel too "stretched out." Have you had any measurements taken at your LBS to determine reach? I would be hesitant to order another stem before doing that. Also, your LBS can explain the pros and cons of getting a shorter stem. My understanding is that anything shorter than 90 mm can adversely affect handling. I have a 90 mm on my road bike and have been advised against getting an 80 mm for that reason, even though I'm a little stretched out too. I will note that my reach has lengthened as I've gotten stronger. Reach isn't really a static thing.....

Kate

[SouthernBelle]

I will check tonight to see if I can find the stamped length on the bars. (duh).

I've had this bike since August and this is the only fit problem I continue to have. At this point the bars are tipped a little so I can ride the hoods, sacrificing most access to the drops.

While the guys at my LBS are helpful as can be, I'm not sure they get fitting women.

But anyway, I'll see what I have, though I'm having dental stuff done this afternoon and may be a little drunk tonight.

[Pedal Wench]

In looking at the specs for your bike, I noticed that they mention the 'hub' test, where your bars should block you from seeing your hub. From what I've read, that test does not apply to women, because of the difference (generally) in our torso and arm length.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I agree with Pedal Wench about the hub view "rule". That rule seems to me to be possibly useful if you can't tell whether your reach is good by other means or by actually feeling good or bad on your bike.
For what it's worth, I had too much weight forward onto my hands with my 9cm stem. I felt like I was about to fall on my face, but I initially attributed that to my being a novice, not having core muscles, and simply "not knowing". I had been checked for fit by experienced guys by eye and by the "hub view test". They took measurements of my angles, had me peer at my hub and such, said I "looked good". Actually, I DID look good!...but I wasn't comfortable.
After riding a couple of months and feeling too stretched out still, I switched it out to a 5cm, and I found my steering/handling was immediately IMPROVED because my whole body is now nicely balanced on my bike. I don't feel like I'm doing handstands anymore, so I have much more control. I didn't notice any of this "squirrely" issue people talk about. On the contrary, I liked the fact that my arc/swing of the handlebars was now tighter, so I don't have as much side to side swinging while steering. Now I feel GREAT on my bike.
So I just want to say that the idea that any stem less than 9cm will automatically give you bad handling is not necessarily true. It wasn't for me anyway.

[indysteel]

Lisa, I'm encouraged to know that you haven't had any problelms with a 50 mm stem. I, too, continue to feel like a bit too much weight is in my hands. I tend to place my hand just in front of the hoods; I'd just as soon keep them in the hoods. I've actually had a professional fitting, and the fitter wanted me to ride the bike with the 90 mm stem for a while before readdresssing the reach issue. I think I may reapproach the issue with him next spring. My core has gotten stronger and, assuming that I'm keepoing my back flat and "lifted" from my hips," I don't feel as stretched out. All the same, I would like to try to a shorter step.

But back to the original poster. I'm sorry to hear that your LBS doesn't know how to fit women. My advice would be to try another LBS (if you have one). I, personally, am a bit of an LBS "*****." I've shopped or talked to the guys at about five of the stores in my area. Each one of them has provided helpful advice/service and none of them have batted an eye over the fact that I didn't buy the bike from them. Even if your LBS doesn't understand female fit, explain to them that you're experimenting with reach and that you'd like to try a couple different stem sizes. See if they'll let you try them out before actually buying one. Short of that, just go ahead and buy with a stem that's 10-20 mm shorter than the one currently on there. Generally speaking, it's better to make changes to fit/set up gradually so that your body has time to adjust.

Good luck w/ the stem (and dental work). I'll be interested to hear what you decide.

Kate

[bike4ever]

Susan - What size OCR C3 do you have?

[xeney]

I am also using a 5cm stem, and while I think it looks ridiculous, I find the steering differences pretty easy to adjust to. The bike is harder to control on bumpy pavement if I ride with my hands on the top bar, but now that I can reach the hoods I hardly ever do that anyway.

[SouthernBelle]

Mine is a medium. Though I'm just a shade over 5'5". I'm very leggy. Probably part of the problem.

Maybe a good way to think about it is when you are on the hoods, how far out in front should your hands be in relation to your shoulders? Of course, I'm talking in the saddle. I feel like my hands are way out there. Probably isn't as extreme as I feel.

The guys at my LBS are very nice and when I want something, they jump on it. Of course I've got the want to do it myself bug too.