Looking to Change Stem, what do i ned to know?

[davemw]

I'm a total newb to upgrading bikes... What do I need to know to buy and replace the stem on my wives Mongoose Tyax? She says she feels too far stretched out and I'm thinking a shorter stem with a little more rise would help her feel more comfortable.
Here's a link to her bike on the mongoose site.
http://www.mongoose.com/mtn/ProductD....html?id=2341&

If I'm buying a used stem what should I look for in size and quality?

Thanks For the help...

Also can someone point me to a how to on derailleur adjustment?

[mntbiker12]

For derailleur adjustment, I suggest Sheldon's page: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

On the stem, you don't state how long the current stem is and the specs don't state it either. It's hard to make specific suggestion on size without that info. Going too short (if it's at 90 to 100mm already) could change the steering characteristics of the bike.

A good shop might let you test a few lengths to find the right one.

Also, consider the seat position on the rails. Moving it forward a tad might be the adjustment your wife needs to feel comfortable in the cockpit.

[davemw]

if i had to guess on length,I would have to say at least 120mm

[davidB]

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

click your part, click your article

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by mntbiker12

Also, consider the seat position on the rails. Moving it forward a tad might be the adjustment your wife needs to feel comfortable in the cockpit.

Proper fore/aft positioning of the seat is completely independent of stem length or cockpit sizing. Proper fore/aft seat positioning is not based on comfort, but efficient use of leg muscles. Improper positioning can result in sore muscles and joints.

Make sure the seat is properly positioned before simply moving it to compensate for something else.

If your wife is less than about 5'6", a 70-90 mm stem should be a good fit, providing the bike was properly fitted to her. I would generally recommend a 70 mm (or shorter) stem if she's less than about 5'3". Seeing her on the bike is the only way to really identify what works best.

[davemw]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Proper fore/aft positioning of the seat is completely independent of stem length or cockpit sizing. Proper fore/aft seat positioning is not based on comfort, but efficient use of leg muscles. Improper positioning can result in sore muscles and joints.

Make sure the seat is properly positioned before simply moving it to compensate for something else.

If your wife is less than about 5'6", a 70-90 mm stem should be a good fit, providing the bike was properly fitted to her. I would generally recommend a 70 mm (or shorter) stem if she's less than about 5'3". Seeing her on the bike is the only way to really identify what works best.

My wife is 5'7", her biggest complaint is that she feels like she is stretched out. Her wrists and arms are getting sore because her weight seems to be more on the handle bars due to body position. We seem to have the seat nailed down to a good position for her so I'd hate to make any kind of a change to it and have her pedaling suffer.
I assume the stem would help since I was having the same problem with my Stumpjumper before the LBS installed a shorter stem.
If I do pick up a stem, I'd like to pick it up used and cheap. What should i be looking for, will they all fit (the bars and down tube) or are they sized differently besides length and degree of angle?

Thanks for the replys

[2wheel_lee]

You'll need a stem for 31.8 mm handlebars (according to the link you posted) and a 1-1/8" fork (very common).

After that, you'll want to select stem length and angle. Generally, the shorter the stem, the less significant the angle is.

Depending on the height of your current stem and the replacement stem, you may need to add or remove fork spacers.

[davemw]

Perfect, thanks!

[EBasil]

Originally Posted by davemw

If I do pick up a stem, I'd like to pick it up used and cheap.

No, you don't. It's your wife, dude. Go for "new and cheap" and get on down to Performance with the bike. Have a salesperson measure the stem, then buy a shorter, house-brand stem with a little more rise to it and be done, knowing that you've put a reliable part on that didn't cost you an arm and a leg (or your wife's teeth when that recycled stem snaps like a Dorito).

[davemw]

good point... plus im always looking for a reason to go to the LBS and drool

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by EBasil

No, you don't. It's your wife, dude. Go for "new and cheap" and get on down to Performance with the bike. Have a salesperson measure the stem, then buy a shorter, house-brand stem with a little more rise to it and be done, knowing that you've put a reliable part on that didn't cost you an arm and a leg (or your wife's teeth when that recycled stem snaps like a Dorito).

Call me a bike snob, but I'll take a good used stem for a good price before I'd trust a Performance house brand stem. Go to a good bike shop, determine the stem size, and then post a wanted ad here in Marketplace.

[EBasil]

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by EBasil

free range soy bolts

That made my day.

[EBasil]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Call me a bike snob, but I'll take a good used stem for a good price before I'd trust a Performance house brand stem.

omigod, yer like such a total bike snob!

Dude, the Performance stems are made in the same factories as name brand stems, come with a warranty that used cannot include, and I have it on good authority they infuse one with the Total Gnar.

Twenty bucks buys these, with room enough for like a RedBull sticker on the side:

Personally, I only ride hand-built ti stems with free range soy bolts and Kent Erickson's sharpie signatures on them, but this stuff is more than adequate for someone with less label-discerning angst than I.

[davemw]

Thanks for the help folks, I took the bike over to performace in la mesa tonight and got the bike all set up for my wife. A note here is that the bike was purchased from craigslist, not thier store. I forget the name of the Mechanic that helped us but he spent a good half hour with us getting the bike fit correctly. He ended up moving the seat back and up. He also took the time to install the 85mm x 30* stem and help my wife pick out a set of ergo grips so her hands will get a bit of a break. She is totally stoked to ride now and my hat is off to the mechanic (I wish I could remeber his name) he took his time and made my wife happy which makes me happy all at the same time...

Oh and he also took the time to give me the play by play as he was swapping the stem and seting the bike up so I could do it again without bringing the bike in.

[2wheel_lee]

Great! Sounds like you got the one good Performance mechanic there is. Sounds like you had a great experience with them. Find out who that guy is and become a regular of his!

Hope your wife enjoys her new ride.

[EBasil]

Originally Posted by davemw

She is totally stoked to ride now and my hat is off to the mechanic

CHA-CHING!!!! You rock, he rocks and she rides. Most excellent (use Ghandi accent, please)!