I agree with Andrew about reach and stem length. I have been experimenting with my new (to me) Blackcat 29er. Was getting a sore back, which I wasn't sure whether to attribute to having not ridden a hardtail forever, reach/stem/bar (or some combo), or carbon super stiff wheels (XTR tubular carbon). Last thing was that I was just going to have to admit I am old.... I wasn't having any of that of course so started with seat position and moved onto stem length. 90mm-->50mm saved my back, but I did really notice I was over steering especially on straight coming out of a turn and strangely my head was dropping as well. I have a 70 mm on the way and I am hoping that will be perfect. I was very surprised steering worsened with the shorter stem. I think there is a sweet spot based on the overall combo of reach as a composite of bar width, top tube, seat position and stem length. I think that really long stems have the effect Cam is describing where we are just so stretched out that our lever arm is applying too much force. Too short and we have automatically steer with dropping our shoulders which has a very large force. Useful when trying to lean over, but at least for me and my rutted tight Saskatchewan singletrack it leads to me washing up and down both sides of the ruts.
Aug. 24, 2017, 8:22 p.m. - Cameron Curtis
I agree with Andrew about reach and stem length. I have been experimenting with my new (to me) Blackcat 29er. Was getting a sore back, which I wasn't sure whether to attribute to having not ridden a hardtail forever, reach/stem/bar (or some combo), or carbon super stiff wheels (XTR tubular carbon). Last thing was that I was just going to have to admit I am old.... I wasn't having any of that of course so started with seat position and moved onto stem length. 90mm-->50mm saved my back, but I did really notice I was over steering especially on straight coming out of a turn and strangely my head was dropping as well. I have a 70 mm on the way and I am hoping that will be perfect. I was very surprised steering worsened with the shorter stem. I think there is a sweet spot based on the overall combo of reach as a composite of bar width, top tube, seat position and stem length. I think that really long stems have the effect Cam is describing where we are just so stretched out that our lever arm is applying too much force. Too short and we have automatically steer with dropping our shoulders which has a very large force. Useful when trying to lean over, but at least for me and my rutted tight Saskatchewan singletrack it leads to me washing up and down both sides of the ruts.