I got this 1994 stumpjumper that i’ve been loving but i’m ready for a few upgrades. The current stem is an absolute unit, I want to be more upright and reaching forward a little less.
the usual suspects (nitto, VO, etc) have stems that seem like they would do this but is there like a measurement or angle or combination of stem+bars that I can go off of? i’m trying to avoid ordering expensive components just to experiment. And I haven’t found a good xbiking thread that explains it, but if someone knows of one please point me towards it!
by Georgelino
13 Comments
You need calipers and Sheldon browns website and some time to learn.
Some old horse came a’hopping through our alley. SOH CAH TOA
Experiment with used parts from your local co op (if you have one). Just eyeball it and go ride. Shouldn’t be more than a few bucks. Depending on height and swoop of bars you may need to stretch your cables.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/cycling/comments/1j6mz0x/stem_calculator/](https://www.reddit.com/r/cycling/comments/1j6mz0x/stem_calculator/)
There’s a few calculators listed here. Average length is going to be around 100mm. Yours looks like 130 or so.
Handlebars is another good place to get some rise if the stem starts looking dumb to get it where you want.
You can always try cheap Chinese parts to test measurements before buying better stuff.
If you are planning on replacing the bars, pick & buy those first. Once you have the bars in your hot little hands, hold them up next to your bike and get a general idea of what length and rise you are going to want. Think on it for a few days before buying stems. There will still be trial and error.
Maybe get a few thrashed used cheepies off eBay to experiment with?
That’s a classic bike. But, it’s a 1″ steerer and it looks like it’s been cut pretty short. Those old mountain bikes were all about the 130mm stem. I had a 95 Stumpjumper and we all ordered bikes with 130mm stems back then and bar ends.
The standard rise was 6 degrees, and that’s what it looks like you have.
Because your steerer is so short, you may need a steerer extender to get the front end up where you want it. One of these:
https://preview.redd.it/xtljxabmkqgf1.png?width=132&format=png&auto=webp&s=4001dfd83a9936fbc54eed86485b40052de031ba
They come in different heights, but finding a 1″ one might be hard. There are shims to go from 1″ to 1 1/8″. Typically costs about $50.
Then you start playing with stems. Your current stem doesn’t have a removeable faceplate. Whatever you get, make sure you get a removeable faceplate version so you can swap it out without removing all your bar stuff (grips, levers etc) from one side to change your stem.
And find yourself a bike shop to help. A community shop with used parts would be best here. It’s hard to give advice on what length/rise you should get without seeing you on the bike. If you buy a used stem, they will likely swap it out for you if it doesn’t work. You may need new bars as well if you want a good selection of used stems. Bar diameters have changed since 1994 and finding a stem to work with your bars might be hard as well.
Rivendell-Nitto handlebars. Choco, Losco, Bosco, etc.
stems are measured center to center. Yes they also come in different rises too. Looks like you have a pretty long one, like 120mm or 130mm. There are stems as short as 50 and 60 mm, also just browse ebay for short stems with rise.
[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801132893841.html](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801132893841.html)
That is a 150mm zero rise 1 1/8
Just any old 80-100mm stem and a high rise bar (50-100mm rise)
That’s probably a 110-130mm stem, I’d go to a 80mm stem and riser bars. I tried a super short stem on my 90’s Giant Terrago and regretted it, it was way too cramped. You need a good amount of stem on these bikes, riser bars help a ton to boost the stack while still keeping decent reach. These bars I currently have are slightly swept back, but I think I’ll put back my 50mm riser flat bars with 12 degree backsweep, along with a 110mm stem. I’m just too cramped in my reach on the bike at 6’3″, the top tube is so short compared to modern bikes. I’d honestly suggest AliExpress or a used bike shop for stems as if they’re not the right size, you could’ve wasted $20+ on a fancy one. Takes some testing but you’ll make it comfy.
https://preview.redd.it/w0862katbrgf1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00c6a17b92df7a3cad5db5509c97182c5100bb1b
Chuck some bosco handlebars on there it will solve everything. Even hair loss.
Garysprojects on YouTube just dropped a video that helps with this sorta issue, check it out.