GCN Tech Asks The Pros | How Do You Choose Your Stem Length?

Pros always seem to have super long stems on their bikes, but how do they choose which length to go for? Do they just choose the smallest frame with the longest stem they can handle? Or do they get a proper bike fit? Jon talked to some pros in Dubai to find out.

Do you go as long and as low as possible? Or are you a bike fit believer? Let us know in the comments down below 👇

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[gcntech]

Let us know your thoughts on stem length in the comments below 👇

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

I think it is clear that JC is an excellent addition to the GCN team.

[James_taylor]

I went 20mm shorter last week and can’t believe how much more comfortable it is.

[PatrickPierceBateman]

Just bought a 500mm stem and can't wait to try it out.

[chiefrocker]

How bout' the dude in the back ground doing hand stands on the cross bars (6:50 mark). Legend!

[douglaspate]

I have used 130mm. I have looong arms. Then at the end of last year I got bought a Madone 9.9 built for someone else which has a 110mm equivalent (integrated handlebar/stem). It made up to 10% difference in increased average speed and I felt so much more comfortable. I have changed stem length on my other bikes and would not go back to that stretched-out position, Bram (a legend!) made a very valid comment in that I too have also moved my saddle forward meaning my top arms are closer to vertical. I get back in after a long (+4 hrs) ride and my shoulders do not ache as they did before.

[drewcama]

Two years ago I shortened my crank length and found it made a big positive difference when spinning fast, more comfort and less bobbing up and down. Last year I shortened my stem length and found myself for the first time riding more and comfortably in the drops. I think less flexibility or my bigger belly as I get older may have had something to do with it or it may have just been a better fit over all.

[indonesiaamerica]

that stem length chart assumes that your top tube has been optimized for the rider. With today's "molded" frames the stem length is used to compensate for lack of top tube length choices.

When I had a custom ti frame I used a 59 cm TT and 12 cm stem. Perfect. Today I use anything from 56.5 to 57.5 and I try to make up the extra reach with the stem. I have 13, 14 and 15 cm stems sitting around.

[inverse]

Handlebar reach can also affect stem length. My current handlebar has quite a long reach, so I'm using a stem 1 cm shorter in order to get the same position. Like Bram, I too prefer my seat slightly forward rather than pushed way back on the rails. Great vid!

[Risayogi]

I'm 178 cm (5'10") and using size 54 bike. At first, I used the standard 90 mm stem that came with the bike. Then I thought it was a bit short because I felt my riding position was too high. So I bought a 100 mm stem. Felt really good, until a friend of mine gave me her 110 mm stem because it was too long for her. I swapped it, and boy did feel way more comfortable. And I can go faster too.
Now I'm curious about changing to even longer stem, 120 or 130 stem.

[tonyy]

My 56cm/22" bike came with a 110cm stem. The bike felt small to me (used to ride a 23" frame as a teenager) but the flat cross bar felt an inch too high (oversize aluminium tubes), owch. The seat tube is steeper than normal, so the top tube is shorter than normal; designed for American criteron racing perhaps? In the 1990s I used it for Triathlon, with clip-on aerobars, grip-shift and seat forward, I ended up fitting a 140mm long stem to make it more comfortable and aero. Now (c. 2017-2019), 25 years later, I use the same bike for recreational riding: I moved the new, longer railed seat back, moved the grip-shift to the handlebar end, removed the aerobars and, later, reduced the stem length to 120mm to ease acute neck pain (it worked). I might move back to the standard 110mm stem one day, as closer seems more comfortable to the older me and it feels like I am bringing the bike back into the balance the designer intended.

[kenhunt]

Is that Connor at 7:18, pre-GCN days?

[theSubscriber]

I couldn't help but notice the guy exercising in the background during Bram's interview. That upper body strength is superb.

[chickenpoodle]

i think an accompanying question that should of been answered with the data would be "how many of those riders surveyed were on bike frames were on recommended sized bikes, and how many were on one or two-sizes smaller frames"

[noahmills]

I think the key here is that pros tend to ride smaller frames than the public, therefore necessitating longer stems. But, whatever is comfortable. I think in regards to putting power through the pedals, that saddle position has a greater effect.

[jasongraham]

It'd be interesting to see the data on how tall the riders are in comparison to the size bike they're riding and subsequent stem length. My guess is that most pro riders are riding smaller bikes and stretching out their cockpits to make room.

[richardmannion]

only been riding about 11 years but new road bikes do seem to be getting a higher stack so that most club and recreational riders don't have loads of spacers. Consequently even non-pro riders who want to get the front low have to size down and go for a longer stem. Not all brands and models but definitely quite a few.

[jbratt]

I use a 140mm. It's nice if I need to stop a go fishing before the end of my ride.

[myklonsip]

I would be very interested in repeating these for the ladies tour. Interesting to see if they follow suit

[IGNOBLEVOIDPEEKER]

damn aqua blue sport looking aesthetic af with that kit and ride