[Phillbo]

Since buying my new Stumpy I feel like I am a little more stretched out on the bike than my last one and I'm thinking about getting a shorter stem (current one is about 6" and I'm thinking 4" would be right ) . Will this have any negative impact on the overall geometry or handling of the bike ?

 

[Enel]

Just try it and see. Usually there is little negative impact.

 

[AzSpeedfreek]

The only negative that will happen is it will either make the bike feel worse or it will make it feel better. It sounds like you probably have a 120mm stem on the bike, droping to a 100mm stem may be a bit extreme because changing by 20mm while it doesn't seem like a lot it actualy is. I would reccomend going from 120 to 110 (drop by 10mm in other words from what you are currently at) and see how that feels. How much rise does the current stem have to it?

Is it the stock stem that came on the bike? What year, model and size is the bike?

 

[Phillbo]

It's an '08 XL Stumpy Comp.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39192&eid=95

 

[yetisurly]

It's an '08 XL Stumpy Comp.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39192&eid=95

seated climbing. the front wheel will feel unweighted and it will make you want to stand more, losing traction. less weight on the front wheel.

 

[Enel]

Stem length is a personal preference like many others in cycling.

The human body is amazing in what it can adapt to.

Just find something you feel comfortable with.

I have personally found that as I go shorter and shorter with stems, my climbing has suffered not at all, and my performance in technical stuff has improved significantly.

Here's some edumacation:

http://www.leelikesbikes.com/stems-and-bars-long-and-low-or-short-and-high.html
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/pros-and-cons-of-a-shorter-stem.html
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/cockpit-length-vs-braaapablity.html
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/stems-how-short-is-too-short.html

 

[AZ Stumpy]

I have the same bike and thought the same thing (08 Stumpy XL). I felt a little stretched out and I thought steering the thing was like driving a school bus. I switched the 120 mm stock stem for a Thomson 100 mm 10 degree and narrowed the bars by 20 mm on each side and the bike handles and feels perfect to me now.

You could try different length stems till you find something that you feel comfortable with fairly cheeply. There is a plethora of OE Specialized stems on ebay for about 10-20 bucks a pop.

 

[kenbentit]

You'll definitely have to shift your weight forward for climbing but I got used to it fairly quick. On the plus side, the cornering will be much nicer (more control).

 

[Phillbo]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Phillbo]

In case anyone gives a rats ass....

I went with the 105MM adjustable and set it at 14* and so far it feels real close to right. I've got 3 days of riding so will know more by the weekend.