I went back and read the other thread and saw that it was a bit more esoteric. Hopefully the simple math I added on how to calculate the fit effect of flipping the stem helps people. I think it would be useful for us to come to a conclusion on how to apply stems and spacers when fitting bikes. Here's mine:
- If you have over 4cm of spacers, remove the spacers and flip the stem. Your bike will be stiffer and safer.
- If you have less than 4cm of spacers, do the math and consider flipping your stem.
- If you are buying a bike new, consider the stem angle-- You could minimize spacers by choosing a stem with appropriate rise.
I put this out there for discussion, since so many people on this forum have over 4cm of spacers and negative rise stems.
Here is a table that shows the effect of flipping stems of various lengths and rises:
80 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 27.36 mm when flipped
90 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 30.78 mm when flipped
100 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 34.20 mm when flipped
110 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 37.62 mm when flipped
120 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 41.04 mm when flipped
130 mm stem with a -10 degree rise gains 44.46 mm when flipped
80 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 22.05 mm when flipped
90 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 24.81 mm when flipped
100 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 27.56 mm when flipped
110 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 30.32 mm when flipped
120 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 33.08 mm when flipped
130 mm stem with a -8 degree rise gains 35.83 mm when flipped
80 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 16.63 mm when flipped
90 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 18.71 mm when flipped
100 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 20.79 mm when flipped
110 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 22.87 mm when flipped
120 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 24.95 mm when flipped
130 mm stem with a -6 degree rise gains 27.03 mm when flipped
80 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 11.13 mm when flipped
90 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 12.53 mm when flipped
100 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 13.92 mm when flipped
110 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 15.31 mm when flipped
120 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 16.70 mm when flipped
130 mm stem with a -4 degree rise gains 18.09 mm when flipped
-Marc