Reply To: Do you have a "dumb" question related to MTB?

#214812

Hey kenwrightjr, my understand is that a shorter stem makes steering more sensitive or twitchy, while a longer stem slows it down. So increasing the physical distance between the bars and the fork also “moves them further apart” in feel as well.

But, this has to be taken into context with the angle of the fork. A steeper angle (like a road bike’s) also makes steering more sensitive and twitchy, while a slacker or flatter angle (more like a motorbike’s) slows it down. Older bikes have steeper more vertical forks and long stems, while newer bikes have flatter more raked out forks and shorter stems, so in a way the “sensitivity” of the steering is the same. But the newer geometry almost universally improves the feel, traction, and quality of the overall handling.

The offset of the axle, called the fork rake, is really important too, but that generally can’t be changed, so people don’t talk about it. Interestingly, the Santa Cruz DH team reckons that the perfect stem length for handling is about 50mm too, and is a consequence of the rake and head angle of their downhill bikes. Generally, the 30-60mm range would be normal.