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i have a 6 inch long stem on my giant talon 4 2014 and it feels loose at the front like there is no grip at the front.
i have heard a short stem helps on handling ?
very new to tuning and modifying bikes to make them ride better so sorry if its a newbie question.
thanks
dan
The longer the stem the vaguer it will feel but also you have to consider your fit on the bike. Most frames are governed around shorter stems, something under 80mm is the standard. May be worth trying a cheap shorter stem like an 80mm.
Light feeling front end tends to suggest your weight is more over the back than the front, shorter stem may not improve this.
Does it happen more going uphill?
150mm stem? Wowsers. Old school.
6 inches is huge ! 😉
I'd say a shorter stem always gives you more control, but if you are unweighted at the front its too high
A quick easy fix is to remove any spacers you have between the stem and headset and put them above the stem
uphill is fine, just when going round corners i just feels like the front is going to slip like there is no pressure on the front wheel
Post a pic of your bike. A 6 inch stem is massive by the standards of the last 15 years so assuming you've not swapped it I imagine you're on a bike from the early / mid 90s? (Though 5 inch was usually the max).
It could easily be technique related as well as with such a long stem you should have weight over the front.
Edited: note to self, read the op 🙂
i think i have measured it wrong i measured the full stem when you arent suppose to do that
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/talon.27.5.4/14926/66446/#specifications
i have a 6 inch long stem on my giant talon 4 2014
Doesn't look that big in the pics, what are you using to measure it?? 🙄
Doesn't look that big in the pics, what are you using to measure it??
ive measured it wrong my bad
still feels loose haha
Too much air in the tyre? What psi do you have in there?
As mike says it looks fine but you could lose some of the spacers under the stem.
As this is your first post are you new to cycling / MTB? ( back to technique).
Welcome by the way
Are you cornering sitting down?
Doesn't look that big in the pics, what are you using to measure it?? 🙄
Any need for the rolling eyes? Easy mistake to make.
Daniel before you buy another stem just check the steerer tube size. Some giant bikes have a tapered steerer tube that is 1.5:1.25 instead of 1.5:1.125. The 1.25 stems are a nightmare to get hold of (and usually cost more!).
This model comes with too many spacers under the stem. Friend of mine took his out for the first time the other week and I removed the 20mm spacer from underneath the stem and replaced it on top. Handled better after that. Ride really nicely IMHO - so I think you made a good choice!
njee20 - Member
Doesn't look that big in the pics, what are you using to measure it??
Any need for the rolling eyes? Easy mistake to make.
I think he may have been making a penis size gag...
Aaah 😳