Shorter Stems On Longer Frames

[arw_86]

i didnt want to start a topic, but couldnt find anything on this unfortunately.

basically i got a zoo pitbull 07 long and i run the usual longer stem option, however as its so long just pulling the front wheel up (when rolling etc, not static) is really hard work, im used to riding streety stuff so changed to this for something different. My question however is, if i change my stem for something shorter will it make the front end easier to lift or not as the wheelbase is the same size still? And will it just feel rank?

cheers

p.s - im sure most of you will say its not designed to be ridden the way i kinda ride and i should just get used to using the crank power to lift the front end, but meh worth an ask

[thompo]

Shorter stem/Higher rise (in Theory) will put your weight more to the back which will make the front easier to pull up (im assuming for manuals etc?).

You need to watch you dont go too short though or it will be a dog on the back wheel and can be difficult to get enough movment/power to do larger moves.

I used to ride my Sidekick with a 110mm 30deg stem and it rode much like a trials bike, when i got a dedicated trials frame i put a 50mm 5deg stem on to the sidekick and it rode like a BMX, awsome for street stuff, manuals, large bunny hops, rolling gaps etc but its pants on the back wheel when stationary for gaps, back hops etc.

Edited March 9, 2010 by thompo

[Endohopper]

I think I'll be watching this topic closely to see people's opinions as I'm in much the same situation . I'm running a Koxx Karbon ( absurdly long ) yet retain a fondness for the whole bunny'ops / manuals / spins vibe . I guess you can achieve some advantage by tilting riser bars backwards slightly , but as you suggested , a shorter / taller stem would probably radically influence " popability " .

[Matthew62]

I found it didn't do a great deal when i did it on my Koxx. I took 30mm off by changing to a shorter stem and to higher risers also but it still wasn't what i wanted. It was slightly improved, but not substantially. IN the end i got rid of it all, got an Inspired and now no longer do static moves.....but thats was just what happened with me.

[Alex Dark]

Rode my V2 with 130 x 15 hifi stem and a 125 x 25 nuc stem.....far preferred the Try-all one. Nice high front end and you're sorted I reckons

[arw_86]

hmmm think ill give it a go with a shorter stem and maybe some more rise on the bars. shame i need to buy some bars just to try, could feel totally gash.

cheers lads

[sstein]

I did it once when I changed frame I made my old bike brakeless with a really short stem and riser bars. It made it really nice to ride and I still had plenty of control on the back wheel, even brakeless.

[MikeCottTrials]

I did it once when I changed frame I made my old bike brakeless with a really short stem and riser bars. It made it really nice to ride and I still had plenty of control on the back wheel, even brakeless.

I don't really see how you can say that. I know that maybe you balance on the back wheel brakeless for a second or two but for the most part, no

[sstein]

I don't really see how you can say that. I know that maybe you balance on the back wheel brakeless for a second or two but for the most part, no

First of all I said "even brakeless" implying that I did in fact  ride it with brakes for a little while, second depending on what you are doing it is very easy to keep the bike on the back wheel with out brakes, just so long as you have no forward momentum!

[arw_86]

changed bar and stem over, shorter stem and riser bars! Def easier to lift front end now, got it into a manual a few times and can bunny hop a smidge, still not at all like i could on my street rig but i like it. Will have ot see how it rides out on the streets properly, but.....i snapped my rear brake lever clamp over tightening, bollocks.