Let's do a reach poll.....

[Len J]

All this talk about stem length got me thinking.

One key measure is total reach, that is from the center of the steerer tube to the center of the Hoods. It would then include the stem, bar reach and Hood placement.

I bet most of us are 21 + or minus 1.

Len

[soulspinner]

Wow, you hit it spot on. 20.5, 54 top tube, 55 seat center to center, 33.5 bike inseam and somewhat short in the arms...

[Bruce K]

Let's see 110mm stem, 90mm reach on the Modolo bars, + hoods. I would guess 220mm

BK

[Dave]

A poll is worthless in the first place and even of less value with no clear definition for the measurement. This is particularly irrelevant with the huge difference in the shape of campy and shimano brake hoods.

FWIW, I insure the accuracy of my brake hood placement by placing a 1" dowel between the brake hoods and measure between the bars and the dowel at both ends. If I change the model of bars, I adjust the brake hood position for the proper angle first and then take the dowel measurment. If the hoods are closer or further away from the bar centerline, a stem length adjustment can then be made. I never depend on a manufacturers "reach" dimension, because the placement of the brake hood can vary significantly due to the shape of the bar.

[Len J]

A poll is worthless in the first place and even of less value with no clear definition for the measurement. This is particularly irrelevant with the huge difference in the shape of campy and shimano brake hoods.

FWIW, I insure the accuracy of my brake hood placement by placing a 1" dowel between the brake hoods and measure between the bars and the dowel at both ends. If I change the model of bars, I adjust the brake hood position for the proper angle first and then take the dowel measurment. If the hoods are closer or further away from the bar centerline, a stem length adjustment can then be made. I never depend on a manufacturers "reach" dimension, because the placement of the brake hood can vary significantly due to the shape of the bar.

Center of hoods is where you put the web between your thumb and first fingers (Just kidding). I uses a dowel and measured from there. It's also why I had a 2 cm gap in the poll.

As to it being: ".....particularly irrelevant with the huge difference in the shape of campy and shimano brake hoods." I don't agree. That is exactly the point of the poll. I've watched these great debates about proper stem length, with everyone having an opinion, and rarely is bar reach differences mentioned, and never is the difference in reach caused by both hood placement and shimano vs Campy hood differences are never mentioned.

As I said initially, I think the majority of people on this site will end up at 21 Plus or minus 1. After all the arguing.

Len

[Dave]

If I use a 1" dowel on my campy hoods, I get 22cm on one bike and 23 on the the other (measured to the front of the dowel), both with the same bars.

FWIW, the 23 is with a 110mmm stem and the shortest reach bar available (Salsa Poco). A more common value would be 24cm, for average reach bars and a 110mm stem.

A stubby 90mm stem and average bars would produce a 21cm value.

[pale scotsman]

Heck w/ a ritchey wcs 120 stem, ritchey pro bars and campy chorus hoods I got 21.5. Does this mean I really have an 80mm stem??? ;) I could post a pic of the box the stem came in as proof... :beer:

[93legendti]

So what spot are you using as the "center of the hoods"?

[Len J]

So what spot are you using as the "center of the hoods"?

Whereever you rest your hands.

Len

[93legendti]

do you mean the center of the spot where I rest my palm on the hoods? :confused: :)

[Len J]

do you mean the center of the spot where I rest my palm on the hoods? :confused: :)

However you normally ride on the hoods. I'm trying to see what reach people actually have on their main bike. The distance between the center of the steerer tube and where they actually put their hands. This is affected by stem length, bar reach brake lever placement and hood type (Shimano?Campy)

We tend to talk about these in pieces, I'm just trying to see what the total is.

Len

[vaxn8r]

I'm getting 34cm. Obviously not the same thing you are measuring. I don't get it.

[oracle]

let's assume that you are running a 150; is there another 154mm to the centre of your brake hoods?

[William]

Measuring from the stem bolt to the spot on the hoods where the webbing between my thumb and pointer finger rests. I measured last night and I'm pulling the stats from my head this A.M.

A.) 26 cm 140 stem TT= 59 cm
B.) 24 cm 120 stem TT= 62 cm
C.) 24 cm 120 stem TT= 58-59 cm

After riding "A" for a while with the longer stem, I'm going to move "B"&"C" up to longer stems to approximate the reach.


William

[keno]

where's the center of the hood?

keno

[csb]

there was something here and now it is gone

[csb]

23.36

deda 215
deda 11.5
DA 9spd

[vaxn8r]

I still have no idea what you're measuring....

[dirtdigger88]

I'll play. . .

Legend- 24.5 cm- 120 stem, ITM Melinium Bars, DA10

Lemond- 24 cm- 120 stem, 3T bars, Ultegra 9

But I still don't see what it matters- you are not asking where we have our hands on the bars. I ride mid hoods or with my hands on top of the hoods (palms facing down). Others ride with their palms on the bars on only their fingers on the hoods. I have been thinking about this topic though. I think I may look for some bars with a bit more reach. I think my stem is fine- I like where my reach is when on the tops of my bars- but I want to move down on my hoods some and I think I could streach a bit more in the drops. Fun topic to play with though- we all got our tape measures out :D

jason

[Len J]

But I still don't see what it matters-

I was intentionally vague.......it matters because real riding reach is impacted by much more than stem length..i.e. bar rach, what hoods you use and where you put them on the bars......I was trying to make this point in a roundabout way.

It is interesting to play with.

Len

[flydhest]

where's the center of the hood?

keno

14th and F Street, Southeast.

[oracle]

word.

[keno]

around?

keno

[flydhest]

nah, straight up.

[Serotta PETE]

Watch out for that Maryland state helicopter that Sandy hit - - -- :beer:

If I did not know better, i would think that Sandy tapped into Flydhest wine cellar :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[flydhest]

Pete,

Must be time to change the locks, then.

[Serotta PETE]

Pete,

Must be time to change the locks, then.

Then I could not get in and enjoy your fine wine and collection of music.

Hope you'al had a happy New Year and hope to see you soon. PETE