Anyone use a short stem on a Specialized Roubaix?

jsull14 said:

I recently bought a Roubaix and I really like it. It's smooth as glass and decends like a dream. However, even with the forgiving geometry, I feel a bit stretched out on my 54 and 110 stem. The LBS measured me for a 54 but my arms are sort of short. (By the way, why don't shops take arm length into account in addition to torso and leg length???)

Anyway, does anyone use a short stem on a Roubaix or know of any issues with using a short stem on this type of bike. Perhaps a 90mm.

Thanks a lot

Obviously your LBS only considered standover measurements when they recommended the bike. They failed to take into consideration that the Roubaix is a rather long wheelbase bike (compared to similar sized bikes). It has a longish chainstay and top tube, zerts technology and relaxed angles designed to be stable and comfy when the terrain gets rough, hence the roubaix moniker.

You have two choices to remedy your problem - you get a shorter stem or move your seat forward.

jsull14 said:

I recently bought a Roubaix and I really like it. It's smooth as glass and decends like a dream. However, even with the forgiving geometry, I feel a bit stretched out on my 54 and 110 stem. The LBS measured me for a 54 but my arms are sort of short. (By the way, why don't shops take arm length into account in addition to torso and leg length???)

Anyway, does anyone use a short stem on a Roubaix or know of any issues with using a short stem on this type of bike. Perhaps a 90mm.

Thanks a lot

Going with a slightly shorter stem should be no problem. A much shorter stem (like a 60mm or so) might affect how the bike rides (see recent thread discussing effects of stem length on handling). Handlebar height could also be a factor in how stretched you feel. I wouldn't move the seat forward unless there was a problem with your weight being too far back on the bike.

John M said:

Going with a slightly shorter stem should be no problem. A much shorter stem (like a 60mm or so) might affect how the bike rides (see recent thread discussing effects of stem length on handling). Handlebar height could also be a factor in how stretched you feel. I wouldn't move the seat forward unless there was a problem with your weight being too far back on the bike.

Thanks HD and John

The reason I bring up the stem issue is because of that thread on stem length and stability. I like the way the roubaix rides and I was concerned that going to a shorter stem might diminish that nice ride. I am going to the LBS this weekend to try some new stems but it seems to me (I'm still a newbie) that you can't really tell how a bike feels until you are in and out the saddle for a couple hours going through all sorts of terrain.

You will be quite more comfortable on your bike with the proper-length stem for your upper body. I, too, need a bike with a shorter top tube than typical frames. To answer your question about bike-shop fitting, a good bike shop will measure you more than for just standover on a bike. I looked for a bike that does a complete bike-fitting for a reasonable price. The shops that do so will almost always include the fitting into the price of a new bike if you buy it from them. It opens your eyes to be fit on a bike that properly fits you.