Road Bike Stem Size Guide
Stem length is one aspect of a road bike that you can alter to increase both comfort and performance.
Road bike stem size guide. Most road bikes come in two styles racing road bikes long in the top tube and low at the front for faster riding and sportive road bikes which tend to have shorter top tubes and higher front ends for extra comfort. If you need a stem length beyond those extremes your bike frame is the wrong size. Road bike stems vs mountain bike stems road bike stems are available in lengths from as little as 60mm up to a very long 130mm and beyond. Road bike sizing guide.
Aside from length you ll also find that stems are available in a range of different angles effectively altering the height of your handlebars. In depth the most significant thing while choosing a road stem is the length of the stem may be the key factor for overall fit of the bike. Fortunately our bike size chart takes away the guesswork as it suggests mountain bike frame size and road bike frame size in either inches or centimetres. Road bike sizing and mountain bike sizes are slightly different and the units used in bike sizes vary depending on type and brand.
The most important consideration when choosing a road stem is the stem length considered as a key factor in the overall fit of the bike. A proper bike fit has more to do with the saddle handlebars brake levers and hoods stem and most importantly shoes cleats and pedals. Generally speaking stem lengths on road bikes vary from 80 to 140mm with 100 to 110mm perhaps the most common sizes. However most stems are not marked and must be measured in order to determine size.
Stem length designated in millimeters may be indicated on the stem. Some manufacturers specify different length stems in relation to the frame size to try and offer the best fit. The rise angle of stem from fork to bar has quite a large effect. Sometimes you might need to customise the stem length yourself though.
As a rule of thumb on a road bike you shouldn t run a stem much shorter than 90mm or much longer than 130mm. Riders like to get a long small and aerodynamic position of the bike e g spirited racers can choose for a longer 1200 mm stem for optimum stretch. Competitive racers will opt for a longer 120mm stem for optimum stretch. Good bike shops will be very helpful in helping you get the right stem length on your new bike or buying a new stem doesn t have to cost a lot of money.
In order to alter stem length you must first know the length of your current stem. Road bike sizes are usually given in centimetres while mountain bike frame sizes are quoted in inches.