What is a normal stem length?

Road bikes: 80-120 mm. Mountain bikes: 40-70 mm. If you need a stem shorter than 60 mm or longer than 130 mm, the frame may be the wrong size.

Does stem angle affect reach?

Yes. A negative (dropped) stem increases effective reach slightly compared to a positive (raised) stem of the same length. The effect is typically 5-10 mm.

Can I just change the stem?

Changing stem length by up to 20 mm is reasonable. Larger changes affect handling significantly and may indicate the frame is the wrong size.

BikeCalcs

Stem Length Calculator — Adjust Your Reach

Calculate the stem length needed to achieve your ideal reach.

Current Frame Reach

Target Total Reach

Current Stem Length

How We Calculate This

Stem Length Adjustment

New Stem = Current Stem + (Target Reach - Current Reach)

This is a simplified calculation assuming the same stem angle. In practice, changing from a 0-degree to a -6-degree stem of the same length adds approximately 5-8 mm of effective reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify results and consult a professional bike fitter where appropriate.