However, you can still find quill stems on some retro-style fixies and singlespeed bikes, as well as some boutique custom builds or cheaper town bikes. Bike stem standards

As a rule of thumb, on a road bike you shouldn’t run a stem much shorter than 90mm or much longer than 130mm. If you need a stem length beyond those extremes, your bike frame is the wrong size. Sorry! RiseIn other words, for example, the following stem specs that you might see are equivalent, from lowest to highest rise (and drop):

Stem length has a big impact on the overall fit and ride of your bike. David Caudery / Immediate Media What is it I'm looking for? Can someone explain how stems are measured in Seasame Street level math?would rise or drop 14 degrees if the steer tube were perpendicular. A "high rise" for some or "deep drop" for others. If you are a regular rider, you may appreciate a neutral position with a slight rise in stem. Around 6 to 7 degrees of stem rise and a stem length that complements your position would suit you the best.

Once you choose the appropriate type of stem for your bike, it is important to determine which clamp dimensions are compatible with your steerer tube and handlebars. Steerer Tube Clamp Diameter Stem length is one of a number of factors, along with head tube angle and fork rake, that affects a bike’s handling. A stem is the component that connects your handlebars to the frame of your bike. A threadless stem clamps around the steerer tube of your bicycle’s fork whereas a quill stem inserts inside the top of the fork steerer tube and is held in place internally. An adjustable stem allows you to easily alter the angle of your bike on the stem itself without having to replace the entire unit. Most new bikes come with threadless stems; however, some hybrids and a lot of older bikes have quill stems. The rise (angle of stem from fork to bar) has quite a large effect. Rise is quoted in + or – degrees as this determines the angle the stem rises or falls from the fork steerer. The higher the degrees (+) the more upright your position will be. Or if inverting the stem, the lower you will be. The numbers are +/- because the stem can be installed to angle up or down. To get to the next level of detail, the actual rise from horizontal depends on the head tube angle. Also, if you make significant changes in the rise (or drop), you might need to adjust the length. But a change of +/- 2 degrees would change the reach in terms of a couple mm.

Nukeproof Neutron Direct Mount Mountain Bike Stem

Cross-country and leisure oriented mountain bikers are more concerned with fit than handling when it comes to stem length. Competitive cross-country racers generally have stems with a negative angle or drop whereas recreational riders commonly have stems with a slight rise. Comfort and Cruisers Found on some mountain bikes and also some drop-bar machines such as Giant’s cyclocross bikes. 1 1/8in steerer, 35mm bar clamp

In contrast, a short stem is usually the best option for competitive road riders. Handling is more compliant and the rider sits in a more aggressive and aerodynamic position. A short stem requires more precise movements, which can feel twitchy to inexperienced riders. Hybrid Most newer bikes come with a steerer tube diameter of 1 and 1/8 in. Some mountain bikes come with 1.5 in. steerer tube and older bikes usually accommodate a 1 in steerer tube diameter only. Handlebar Clamp Diameter

Stems are labeled in two different ways: either (1) the actual angle, or (2) in terms of their difference from 90 degrees. I guess, the numbers are based on mounting the stem on a perpendicular tube, but they have nothing to do with head tube angle on your bike. Slowpoke wrote:I am trying to understand how to interpet the angle of a handlebar stem, and have a hard time with geometry. The majority of riders will appreciate a fairly low angle ie. less than 10° as this gives a fairly neutral position with just a low rise. Leisure riders will appreciate a more upright position. Racers will try to get a low as possible for better aerodynamics. An adjustable stem is worthwhile if you want to be as upright and comfortable as possible. However, the adjustability comes with added weight, and an extreme upright position is appropriate for short distances only. For those riding thirty minutes or more, a slightly bent body position is advantageous for muscle function and wind resistance. Cost of Stems