Stem, size, angle, what does it matter?

guppie said:

Right now on my specialized I have a 90mm with a 10 degree rise. How does the length and angle affect my riding.

I want a Thomson and I"m looking at a 90mm but only in a 15 rise or 5 rise. What about 100M witha 5 degree rise, how will that change.

It's all about configuration. If you go with the 15 rise, you'll be slightly(and I do mean slightly) more upright. The 5 will be a little more forward of a riding position. Think of how it changes where you need to reach in order to hold on your grips. The shorter the stem, the closer you'll be to the bar. The longer the stem, the further. The higher the rise, the more upright you'll be and the opposite for the lower rise(or none) 😄

nerv2010 said:

It's all about configuration. If you go with the 15 rise, you'll be slightly(and I do mean slightly) more upright. The 5 will be a little more forward of a riding position. Think of how it changes where you need to reach in order to hold on your grips. The shorter the stem, the closer you'll be to the bar. The longer the stem, the further. The higher the rise, the more upright you'll be and the opposite for the lower rise(or none) 😄

True, true.

"Fine" tuning (to riding positions) can be done via stems. If you feel too hunched over you can get a slighty higher rise on a stem or do the just the opposite if you are too upright. With the length if you feel too cramped (assuming the frame is the correct size...) you can get a longer stem or reverse for the reverse issue of being too stretched out.

IMHO (and depending on riding style) if you get too stretched out it can adversely effect the handling characteristics when decending. The flipside is also true though: too short a stem and when you are climbing it can be difficult to get into the "proper" position and function well for extended periods. It's not quite a catch 22 situation, but it can be tricky from time to time.

K.