REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

reverse stem

5920 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by BKnight, Dec 30, 2005

BKnight

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2005

sitting in the car riding home from vaction i got to thinking, could you put a reverse stem on a bike? granted i don't know much about geometry and how it would affect the different aspects, if at all. but it seems logical that if you got say a size larger frame and put the stem facing towards you with normal set up, what it would do is put the pressure point behind the front wheel and more on the hub so that you don't endo as easly?

is this even possible to work?

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eayste

· #2 · Dec 29, 2005

BKnight said:
sitting in the car riding home from vaction i got to thinking, could you put a reverse stem on a bike? granted i don't know much about geometry and how it would affect the different aspects, if at all. but it seems logical that if you got say a size larger frame and put the stem facing towards you with normal set up, what it would do is put the pressure point behind the front wheel and more on the hub so that you don't endo as easly?

is this even possible to work?

You would need a frame with a really long top tube.
Or if you wanted to move your weight back , sit more upright , lighten the front end or have the controls closer to you.
Try it . see what happens.
My only thoughts are on cable routing. What kind of bends would you need in the housing to get the cables to run where they need to go?
Interesting thought , none the less.

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9.8m/s/s

· #3 · Dec 29, 2005

You might not endo as easily, but it would really mess up your weight distribution on steep climbs. I feel like it would really mess with the stering feel too.

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BKnight

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 29, 2005

i was thinking more aimed towards downhillers, since they run with as close stem as possible, i might try it on my junk bike and see how it works

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eayste

· #5 · Dec 29, 2005

BKnight said:
i was thinking more aimed towards downhillers, since they run with as close stem as possible, i might try it on my junk bike and see how it works

For downhill applications. You may be on to something.
It may slow down the handling with the geometry ,but that may be a good thing
when your going dowhill fast. Most DH bikes have really slack headtubes anyways.
That forces the riders weight back.
Try it with a really short stem , say 60mm in length with a 6 to 10 degree rise.

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Stuart B

· #6 · Dec 29, 2005

I would imagine it would feel quite odd. with a conventional stem when u turn right your hands move right as well as around with the bars. with it reversed your hands would go left while swinging around. Not sure that makes sense.

Also, the ends of the bars will be more likely to hit the top tube...probably only an issue in a crash though.

would be interesting to feel the difference.

Stu

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BKnight

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 29, 2005

i don't really have the money to do it with a short stem, but i'll flip the one on my old bike, i just finished making it a single speed after gernading the rear derallier

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eayste

· #8 · Dec 30, 2005

BKnight said:
i don't really have the money to do it with a short stem, but i'll flip the one on my old bike, i just finished making it a single speed after gernading the rear derallier

Let us know what you think.
IT's got me curious.
So much so , I may try it , for tryings sake.

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BKnight

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 30, 2005

i'll get on it tomorrow and take some pics, its gonna be really wierd cause it has a super long stem on it, but we shall see

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BKnight

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 30, 2005

with every thing done, it is one goofy thing to ride. with the large stem and short frame its a cramped fit. if some one where to do this with their bike, the shortest stem possible would be best, i still need to take it out and ride it on some hills and what not, maybe latter to day, right now the wind is gusting up towards 50mph and its raining

heres a link to the finished product
single speed conversions
https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/BKnighT92/45699b5a.jpg

reverse stem
https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/BKnighT92/40f3deca.jpg
https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/BKnighT92/fbef49cb.jpg
https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/BKnighT92/ss bike/christmass028.jpg

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