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Post by Jimbo on Jan 16, 2015 14:41:57 GMT
So I tried my mates brand new Whyte 905 last night, which i must say is a really stunning and lovely bike. The one thing i noticed straight off was it felt alot more planted on the road. Now his stem is 60mm and mine is 80mm, would 20mm make that much of a difference (I know the OH would say yes!). Plus his handlebars are 50mm wider than mine and I lose a little more due to running bar ends. Should I try a shorter stem? I reckon off road it would improve the control but worry that my XC/road would suffer from a shorter reach if that makes sense. Link to whyte is interested whyte.bike/gb/models/trail/trail-hardtail-27-5-650b/905-2/BTW the bar ends stay  |
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Post by marsbarman on Jan 16, 2015 14:49:46 GMT
Definitely worth a try. Like you said it felt a lot more planted. Gives the steering a more direct feel.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 17:07:09 GMT
Yes Yes And take them little fluffy clouds bar ends off  Wider bars and a shorter stem will be fine even riding on the road  |
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Post by Jimbo on Jan 16, 2015 17:29:30 GMT
Yes Yes And take them little fluffy clouds bar ends off NO! Wider bars and a shorter stem will be fine even riding on the road Think I will try the stem first, just don't like swapping OEM parts, thinks it's my OCD lol |
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Post by glynnsixo on Jan 16, 2015 17:42:18 GMT
I v often debated this kind of stuff before. I might be talking a bit of crap........BUT.... I know that different geometry and components can make a difference, or so we are supposed to believe, but I do sometimes wonder if there is a real noticeable difference where we are talking a few millimetres here and there. if you are a very skillful rider who is always riding on the very edge of you and your bikes limits, then yes you will notice a difference.but for riders like ourselves im not always convinced. the mtb magazines are full of specification references that WILL make this difference, or that difference, im sure a lot of it is to make us part with our hard earned cash to make us strive for the perfect bike (which dunt exist yet)iv often changed parts of slightly diffent lengths,sizes whatever and have thought afterwards that I honestly cant tell the difference. as I say I might be talking b*ll***s. at the end of the day its best to try it out and see if any change in component suits you, if it does, brilliant, if not then you know for in future..............I know iv not answered you question  |
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Post by kalli on Jan 16, 2015 18:46:08 GMT
My hubby had an 80mm stem on his bike and wanted to move to a 60mm stem, like the one on my bike. However, because he wanted to try one before he bought one he swapped the stems over on our bikes and we took them for a night ride over the chase. I have to say i did notice a big difference, especially on the switch back climbs and i didnt like the feel of the bigger stem. My hubby loved my smaller stem though and i was a little scared i wouldnt get it back for a few hair raising hours, but he ordered one from crc a couple of days later ( we both have 750mm handle bars with no bar ends if that makes a difference).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 18:49:12 GMT
Jimbo.. Will you be bringing your barends to Snowdon? I'm sure Ergaz wouldn't mind as they will take the attention off his grips |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 18:50:24 GMT
Such a personal thing and Kalli is right - meself I like a 50mm stem and a 750mm bar...but I'm a stubby motherfecker and it might not suit others. You're doing right to experiment...but lose the bar ends...please... |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 18:52:12 GMT
I ride my bikes with 60mm stems and bars between 700mm and 720mm. I find bars less than 700mm a tad uncomfortable! I can't stand long stems!
I'm far from riding on the edge, as it were, but I can notice a big difference between short and long stems! Bar width, not so much!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 18:55:54 GMT
Bar width is a biggie for me!
Maybe it's the moobs but I love the way big bars open up the lungs. Hey, we are all different I s'pose.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 18:58:52 GMT
To be honest, I haven't a clue how wide any of my bars are/have been. 700mm-720mm was just a guess really!
It's not a measurement I pay too much attention too. I do think that too narrow would be fairly noticeable though..
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Post by hodgy on Jan 16, 2015 19:29:34 GMT
Definitely worth a try. Like you said it felt a lot more planted. Gives the steering a more direct feel. |
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Post by Jimbo on Jan 16, 2015 21:03:49 GMT
Cheers all. Bar ends are coming to snowdon. If I'm going to hit a mindless walker I need to make it worth it!
I agree with you Glynn I'm sure most these recommendations are just to get us to buy more stuff and keep magazines etc in business. Going to try my mates bike again and get hold of a 50 stem and give it a go.
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Post by lowcogger on Jan 16, 2015 21:04:12 GMT
760 bars on a 40mm stem suit me fine with my short arms.steering is sharp but front end can feel twitchy on steep,low geared climbs but you soon get the feel for it.also it`s dead easy to hoist the front wheel over rocks and roots on techy sections.
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Post by hodgy on Jan 16, 2015 22:50:03 GMT
Definitely worth a try. Like you said it felt a lot more planted. Gives the steering a more direct feel. I'm a bit confused here as I didn't post my previous reply .. Why would I quote MBMan without adding something myself ...unless I hit the quote button in error ! ..seems like good advice though !! |
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Post by marsbarman on Jan 17, 2015 8:34:15 GMT
Just to throw it out there, I'm running 800mm bars with a 50mm stem. Just feels comfortable for my lanky frame.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2015 18:44:59 GMT
50 mm stem 760 bars , seems to suit my , suspect riding style |
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