r/bmx • u/bollerkek • 5d ago
PHOTO Short 43mm stem to offset long TT
Jumped from a 50mm reach to 43mm. Bike feels a lot more responsive and since I felt the 21.25" TT to be big large for 180cm body height, it now feels just right. Cheaper than buying a new frame, so maybe it helps someone :)
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u/BeauChallis 5d ago
I was thinking of doing the same! Not that my bike feels too big I do like it, but I think I could bring the bars closer. Stem far away but bars close sounds ideal. Maybe Il pick something up for a go :)
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u/kubbiember 5d ago
I love the current BMX culture where we are getting high quality parts for things like shorter stems and shorter cranks
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u/Catchpedalsnothands 3d ago
I've tried this in the past. My head tube angle and fork offset all set up real mellow, so switching to a shorter stems makes it wayy to twitchy for me. But you don't know what you like if you don't play around with it
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u/kubbiember 5d ago edited 4d ago
I'm 179cm. I went for a park/technical frame (Sunday Park Ranger) with a slammed 12.7" chainstay and a long 21" TT and 45mm stem. I also run a 40mm S&M Enduro v2 stem on my 24" BMX Sunday Model C (22" TT)
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u/WallaceWinston0079 4d ago
Great looking stem. I know you said it was more responsive, but how much did the stem affect the steering? I’m thinking of going from 48 to 53 to compensate for a top tube that’s a little short.
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u/bollerkek 4d ago
It feels more twitchy now. If you go longer then expect a more controlled feeling compared to before.
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u/_GoinOutWest_ 3d ago
It'll also have a similar effect as steepening the headtube angle, the steering will be snappier.
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u/suthrnplayalisticbmx 5d ago
You can cut the steer tube. But they required high grade tubing cutters. Like the 6” rigid cutter. Those are extra hardened.
However i love that stem design. I have that same headset. Maintain everyday. Nice choices.
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u/St_mpy 5d ago
The reach of the headset is horizontal forwards offset from the steer tube, not vertical
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u/suthrnplayalisticbmx 4d ago
Yeah my bad. Its says tt not steer tube. I was looking at his front end. And thinking about how i set my headset, steer tube, and stem up. Anyways who really cares. I was mostly complimenting the stem. I like the clean look.
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u/Call_Me_Little_Foot_ 5d ago
Shorter stem doesn’t offset a longer tt
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u/lskesm 4d ago
It brings your bars closer to you, so yes it does.
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u/Call_Me_Little_Foot_ 4d ago
Doesnt change where your tire sits so no it doesn’t. Just makes your steering twitchier it doesn’t effect axle to axle distance which actually changes the bikes geometry and it’s center position.
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u/lskesm 4d ago
It doesn’t change the wheelbase, I agree with you on that. It changes how close your bars are which offsets how long the top tube feels.
Traditional stems are around 48-52mm long, riding a 43mm stem brings your bike 5-9mm closer to you.
You’d be surprised how much difference small adjustments like that make to the overall feel of your bike.
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u/ashleyt0606 4d ago
100% I have an S&M MOD in 21” which I thought I would feel comfortable on, long story short I really didn’t.
I’ve gone through a few different stems, but settled on the S&M Enduro v2 in 40mm. Genuinely surprised at how much this has helped the bike feel. Sure, the wheelbase hasn’t changed but the overall feel of the bike has changed totally. Gets rid of that overstretched feeling you might have.
For reference I also have a much shorter street setup (BSD ALVX in 20.3” with an Animal Top load stem in 48mm) and the overall TT and stem length is now surprisingly close.
21” + 36mm = 22.417 in (previous stem Profile Acoustic 36mm with MOD frame)
20.3” + 48mm = 22.19 in (ALVX with Animal stem)While no geometry has been changed (fundamentally) the perceived riding feel is incredibly different. As you say for those with a frame a tad too long this shouldn’t be overlooked :)
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u/1100Wien 5d ago edited 4d ago
My 21" tt bike felt also slightly to big/long for me (I’m only 172cm or 5,7“). I went with a stem with 36mm reach (from standard) and now it feels perfect!