Stem length

Hi, I've been advised that a stem longer than 100mm (on a Bob Jackson) will feel odd, but since I have a long torso and short legs, I think 120mm would be more like it. Do you think steering will feel odd with a 120mm stem?

i think my bob jackson stem is more than 100mm, its beautiful (i think its a 120mm but can't quite remember) to ride.

I've got a 130 and it IS a bit odd compared to my old 100 ...

Steering feels leisurely (like using a tiller) rather than sharp / flickable / quick and all the other things we love..
(might not be a bad thing if you're on a super-sharp track frame with a steep angles)

They make stems long for a reason though... people like you!

You could wait to splash £50ish on Ebay for the next 2nd hand LOOK ergostem (very adjustable) and mess about to your hearts content?

i tried a couple of stems on my gazelle 100mm cinelli made the steering vague and un responsive switched down to a 60mm SR and banzai what a difference bike so responsive much nicer feel i guess you could have a whole selection of stems from 140mm to 50mm and try them all out but i think shorter usually means tighter steering ( please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong )

Maybe this would help - Would look a treat on your Jackson.

Sorry misread, you said quill right?

i presume it works in a similar way to the fork rake measurment

larger is less responsive

same with most angles, the more they deviate from straight, the less responsive

Sorry, forgot to say at all; A-head not quill. Trouble with buying online is you can end up with quite alot of things on ebay. I don't like to use my LBS to try before I buy somewhere else. The Look looks clumsy and heavy although it does give you every option. I was thinking of splashing out on a Thomson Elite Stem (120mm/5 degree rise/fall). What do people think of those (apart from their lack of adjustability)?

mines a quill

mines a pint

Most frames are designed to work with stems between 90 and 120mm. Anything outside that range will probably change the handling to a reasonably large degree (although you might want that, as Dicki did). The other thing to remember is that bar choice has an impact on stem length. You need a shorter stem for bullhorns cos they stick out so far, a longer one for risers cos they are pretty straight and somehere in between for drops.

Who advised you that a 120mm stem will feel odd?

If you have a long torso in relation to your legs then you need TT + stem to be reasonably long. A 120mm stem is a good way to achieve this for a given frame size and is well within normal limits for a road or track bike. I think you'll be fine.

Is your Jackson custom or otherwise?

If it's custom, ask the builder first. He should know.

Its an off the peg Vigorelli (I feel a bit BJ bandwagonish but did make the decision a year ago). I knew it would be a slight risk given that I should either be 5'8" or 6'2" but am actually 5'11". I did ask them and they said 100mm is ideal, 110mm fine and 120mm on the border of acceptable and not to go beyond. I over-egged the TT so its a touch high but all in all very comfy for an off the peg bike given my custom body. BTW, I'm using 3T Morphe compact drops.

You made the decision a year ago, you say? Well, that's all right then.

I think 100 would be fine.

It has 100 right now but its not quite long enough. Basically, 120 will be the right length so long as I don't knacker the handling.

a 120mm, won't alter the handling too much, only slow it down a little bit, with in a hour you won't tell the difference other than it might fit you better

i've got a monster long (and heavy) cinelli alter that is 130 mm if you want to try.

Many thanks for the offer but I'm going to stick with 120mm max.