Tri-bike stem length....BIKE FITTING question.
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KenMierke posted 1 year ago.
I'd have to see you to be sure, but most triathletes saddle-handlebar distance is too long. Ideally your elbows will be just slightly in front of your shoulders on the aerobar.
A 130 mm stem will work well for triathlon. The bike will be slightly more sluggish (also read as stable). Make sure that you need the additional length though. Many triathletes lower torso position by overlengthening the saddle-handlebar distance instead of lowering the handlebar. This increases the workload on the shoulder muscles and reduces aerodynamic efficiency.
Ken
Ken Mierke Ken@Fitness-Concepts.com
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Author, The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training
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o2Ripper posted 1 year ago.
Ken - thank you. So you think I would be ok with a stem length of 120mm? Safety wise?
-Branden
"Its an addiction"
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Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
I prefer a shorter stem to a longer one. that said, i have a 120mm stem on my bike now, but its a drop stem, too, not straight out. You cant adjust your aerobars to compensate fot the extra 10mm?
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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1303 days
KenMierke posted 1 year ago.
Safety wise a 120 mm will work fine. The bike will handle slightly quicker than with a 130, but 120 is not a short stem and should not produce a twitchy bike at all.
Ken
Ken Mierke Ken@Fitness-Concepts.com
Fitness Concepts Fitness-Concepts.com
Author, The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training
www.EvolutionRunning.com
247
Member
1470 days
o2Ripper posted 1 year ago.
Update: I finally found a guy who knew what he was doing. We ended up lengthening my seat by atleast 3-4 whole inches! (YIKES - what a difference). The stem we actually shortened down to a 115, and dropped some spacers - feels great. I'm still undecided between a 115 and a 120 stem, but I placed 2nd on an Individual TT this last weekend. Woot! ;p
-Branden
"Its an addiction"
What are everyones thoughts on stem lengths for a tri-bike? I have the XL Blue T1.4 Tri-Bike, and I either need a 120mm stem or a 130mm stem. I've had varying reviews - one bike shop said thats too far out there on a tri-bike. And the other (who sold it to me) said that it's not a big deal. What do you guys think? Where do you draw the line and say "this just doesn't fit"?
I'm frustrated and really don't want to go through hassling the owner of the bike shop who sold me the bike to get me a new bike (which none of his companies make a bigger bike) even though it is his fault if the thing does not fit.
-Branden
"Its an addiction"