I'm 6'6" tall and ride a 61cm Bianchi XR1. Like Chris, I have a -20 slammed Fizik stem and Fizik Cyrano 00 deep drop bar. I've been riding for 42 years now, and have always subscribed to the 'look pro, go slow' slammed theory.
When I slammed my stem I started by moving the spacers around so I'd drop the stem 2.5mm at a time. I'd ride it for a week and then keep rotating the spacers, lowering the stem step by step until my stem was slammed and all of the spacers were on top of the stem. After another week riding like that and being ok with it, I then cut my steerer tube. Took about 6 weeks and gave my body time to slowly adjust to the position change
Agreed - at 55 years old riding all types of bikes I’ve slammed my F8 with did it over a month - NOW the other part of the story - I’ve been riding short saddles since for ever but even then needed to swop to a straight seat post to rotate the riding position around the BB to maintain position - still to cut the steerer tube but that happening next month - Am a faster? - On my local 20k tester it shaved 4 mins and was 1kph av speed faster - down side? - still to get comfortable in drops braking on steep downhills - feels like i am going over the bar tops
I will try to remove my spacer after I dial my training back to building phase( sweet spot training). When I am working at VO2 max workout, I already had a hard time breathing even with the spacer under my stem lol
It's simple really, I just ride a frame that's 4 sizes too small so I can put a 140mm -17 degree stem and feel like a pro. My bike fit, bike, fitness, attitude, commitment, experience and tactical knowledge may not be pro, but my stem is so I've got that going for me.
@@dan_lazaro I can belive, that my shoulders shall adapts, because i have some muscle pain ater 2 hours ride and more. But my pain in the neck have "spine" character.
I have a confession that should earn me a free water bottle..... When I was new to road bikes and watched a GCN video, I tried slamming my stem just to try it out. After I flipped it over, only then did I realize it was a zero degree stem. I mean, I probably still saved a lot of watts regardless...
Riding an uncomfortably slammed stem suddenly becomes comfortable as the speed and adrenalin rises. But if you wan the best of both worlds, raise the bars and use the drops to get that 90 deg angle. This way you can still do the shopping without adopting a time trial position.
The problem I've found with riding in a more aero position isn't having neck or shoulder pain. It tends to be more an issue with cardiac output. I'm 50 and a bit bigger than the typical ( Si, Ole & Dan) cyclist. When I ride in the drops, I find it harder to breathe, so I end up back on the hoods. When I'm in the drops I can definitely see the power savings, but can usually only maintain it for 5 mins or so!
You will sweat more and burn more calories when you are less aero, so maybe being aero should not be #1 goal for all of us? Feels pretty pointless if you're mostly cycling for cardio and fun.
@Jeff Cipriano My understanding is that it is well established that cyclists experience pressure on their diaphragms when in a forward/low position. This accounts for a somewhat lower heart rate for cyclists compared with runners. I think that is one of the reasons that good cycling posture dictates a flat spine.
Finally I see a video about this!! Slammed stem. From mtb three years ago I decided to go road bike, which is more suitable for the area I have been living lately. Sadly I just couldn't adapt to the drops, handlebar, break levers and shifters. Maybe it is the bike, maybe it is me, but In spring last year I decided to make my road bike a hybrid! So I changed the cockpit, placed a flat handlebar (0 (zero) raise and 6° sweepback which I cut it short to 24inches ) with Tiagra straight bar shifters and levers. I kept the 2x10 Tiagra drive train. Then I told the guy at the local bike shop to remove the spacers and cut the steering head tube down giving enough room for the stem and a 2mm carbon spacer sitting on top of the frame. He looked at me like are you sure? What? Back at home, one day while looking at my bike I decided to invert the (70mm 6°raise) stem and voila! My bike was Slammed!!! A month ago I changed the saddle to which I tipped the nose down a bit and most recently I will change the stem for a 60mm 6° raise. I wish I could have watched this video before making all these changes and adaptations. But yeah! My bike looks cool. It is fast and I've got nice comments from people about the bike. They usually think it worths the double than what it originally costed. ;).
I've been slamming my stem centimeter by centimeter for the last 3 years, began with 4,5cm of spacers and a 7degrees stem positive (which I was pretty comfortable when I bought my bike), and now I'm fully slammed with no spacers (just a minimal 3mm to give clearance for the fork to rotate, LoL) and a 25 degrees stem put negative! And I am pretty pretty comfortable in that position too! But it was veeeeryyyy progressive, as I was gaining fitness (and losing belly, LoL), flexibility and confidence, and adjusting positions (fit) and everything at each interation (for example, as I lowered the front and raised a little the seat post, I adjusted the reach by reducing the stem length, putting saddle forward and tilting it to rotate my pelvis, following the body rotation). But my bike has a more endurance shape (with a longer headtube) which allowed it, but, hey... Now I go like 2km/h or more faster with less effort than in the beginning (my power meter doesn't lie, LoL)!
@@brankododig1585 It's all a matter of the individual. I'm 5'9 1/2 170lbs athletic build and i hate a slammed stem...especially for what i call long 70k runs. What i mean is if you are not comfortable, you're not going to be fast..at least not for long.
I saw this video yesterday. Slammed my stem by taking out the two spacers that added to about 10mm. Went for a 50km ride this morning and thoroughly enjoyed the slammed stem. Increased my speed by 0.5kmph. I ride a 54cm endurance geometry and I am 5.8” in height.
Sometimes lowering the stem can make a bike more comfortable. I tried it on my Specialized allez sprint (with a Power saddle) and it all made sense. The riding position for this type of bike is race oriented and so it the flat, short seat. When in a tucked pedaling position the bike just feels right.
No thats completely not true.... Radon Entry level bikes are pretty agressive. And CAAD OPTIMO 105 is possible to get in a very agressive position in case you buy 1 size smaller and a longer stem. There are endurace bikes and there are race bikes and with a little bit of search its no problem to find both types at entry level
Interesting content Surprised that you didn't discuss one of the main reasons to run your stem SLAMMED When you mount the stem closer to the upper headset bearings, the front end of the bike becomes more laterally stiff and steering becomes noticeably more direct , reactive You also eliminate unwanted head tube and frontend flex from the fork The more spacers between top of head tube and bottom stem create unwanted flex that WILL effect the handling feel and characteristics of the ride experience All my Road bikes are set up with stems SLAMMED Noticeable increase in handling , lateral stiffness and enhancement of my Cycling experiences 😎🏆
I like GCN, but make no mistake, this video was more of an ad for new product that supposedly may help you lower the handlebars a bit. Not a how-to or the wider benefits.
Agreed! - Having said that I have been using short saddles for maybe 5 years coming from TT/TRI bikes when i returned to road work - Fizik seem a little late to the party
Generally, the less-serious and heavier-in-weight rider/commuters will use a shorter stem (usually under 110 mm) in the 'up' position, with very little degree change in the stem design (0°-6° degrees). On the flip side, if you end up becoming a very serious rider (meaning, you want to go very fast and break pb's or race and do well), you'll have to get a bike-fit with an aerodynamic setup, ie, it will have a 'slammed' stem and will usually be 110 mm or longer. When I raced, I used a slammed 6° 120 mm, this was what was fitted for me by an experienced bike fitter/racer. NOTE: the lower you are on your bike, the less watts you have to generate to do those same speeds. Sounds too simple, but this is often overlooked by all cyclists alike.
I’ve been slamming my stem since I started cycling back in 1986, and still do with a -17 set up, people put your stem where you choose and feel comfortable plain and simple.
type "gcn slam" into the search bar and you'll get a bunch of gcn videos talking about stem length and position, including a tutorial on how to cut a steerer tube.
I've already got my stem fairly low but I plan on dropping it some more over winter whilst the bike is on the turbo. That way I can check different positions and my relative power outputs in them! Also love my Specialized Power saddle (short nose) they are so much more comfortable than a traditional long nose one.
Trying it out on the indoor trainer first is a good way of checking how you feel riding at a set power in a different position too - or even training into a lower position. I've found that I've been able to get lower for longer on the road after diliberately trying to ride low on Zwift even if I'm neither quick nor very low, and certainly not "slammed" as I'm older and rather inflexible. But training for the position certainly helped...
i remember a time when the hoods position didnt exist because STI didnt exist yet. the drops was where its at. also, quill stems makes moving the handlebars lower pretty trivial. (waits patiently for all the "ok boomer" replies)
I started removing my stem down one spacer at a time and are now slammed, everything is much more planted with the lower center of gravity. I’ve also increased the steam length over time, it was a personnel preference and has made the ride more comfortable for me.
I adjusted my fore aft position by pedaling sitting up with my arms by my side. I have the specialized power saddle, and that’s the most comfortable position I’ve had it.
Using a Zipp SL Sprint 140 with no spacers on a 54 frame and love it. I had previously used a 120 stem, however the front end was too twitchy in the turns.
It was mentioned that the steerer tube must be cut to lower the stem . Not necessarily so. The spacers originally below the stem can be moved above the stem and the stack height maintained. If you really like the lower stem, then you can do some cutting.
Always consult the manufacturer's instructions. If you have a full carbon fork, running spacers above your stem may invalidate the warranty. The area where the stem clamps needs to be fully supported by the plug inside the steerer.
.....Agree that as long as you have proper flexibility ,proper fitness condition and proper bike fit you can then take advantage of the impact of improved aero as well improved steering , improved lateral stiffness and handling 😎🏆 ....And looks DAMN COOL , TOO !!😎🏆😎🏆
Just turned the stem upside down to be almost level on my Giant Hybrid bike. It now feels more like a road bike with the handle bar at least 5 cm lower than the seat. The result I can push 1 to 2 harder gears on the middle chainring due to the lower position. I plan to drop the handlebar next looking forward to riding lower.
About neck and shoulders pain - it shall be perfect, to get recommendations for this problems. No only says "your body adapts". May be exist some pre- exercises or something else...
I slammed my first road bike, but it was an older Synapse. Still pretty high even slammed. Left one spacer under my aero bike for the first 2 years and have just recently put the spacer on top( slammed without cutting the steerer). I remember going an average of 1 mph faster after slamming the stem on my Synapse and staying in the drops most of the time.
Very nice inspiration therefore I use on Vias - ITU VENGE CLIP-ON AERO BAR and its more aero then anything 😊 Please next time show us watts different.😉
I had a frame with a short head tube once. Tried as I might, I couldn't get my short torso in a position where I didn't have issues. So, 30mm spacers it was. Then I bought a tarmac frame with a taller head tube. Problem solved.
So I can imagine that a saddle like this helps with a more comfortable position in lower position (like a TT Bike) but what would the downsides be? If you have an endurance bike, would this also create more comfort in lower positions whilst keeping comfort in normal fast endurance riding speeds?
The more you move your saddle forward, the more you are able to get power out of the glutes and legs. But, at the same time, the more energy you spend trying to support your upper body and the extreme flexion of the spine. So for endurance rides and if you don't have a strong core, sliding the saddle backwards will be more comfortable. You will ride slower, but will also require less rest stops, so you may cover the same distance is the same or less time. If you want to be low and comfortable, you have to rotate the pelvis forward, so that your back remains as straight as possible. This puts pressure on the perineum and hands. Being flexible and having a strong core is a must!
I don't know what I was thinking when I clicked the vid. I thought you guys were going to talk about putting your hands on your fork for aerodynamic gains. IDK why not a lot of people do this yet.
it would be interesting to see wind tunnel comparison between a longer stem vs lower stem/steering tube. cancellara and sagan for example ride/rode very long reach but fairly low drop.
I'm slammed with a Ron Jeremy sized 140 stem and no top cap, but my current frame has a really high stack height compared to every bike before, so it's more normal than people realize.
While we're on the subject of getting used to riding in the "slammed" position. It does make a huge difference!! And I took the steps to get used to the extreme position by adjusting a pare of handlebars on an older bike before I built my current bike!!
It depends on what size bike you ride(and a lot of other things), if you ride a larger frame then slamming your stem would give you a crazy saddle to bar drop while if you ride a small frame it can be hard to get low enough on the front end, which is my issue.
"slamming" your stem does not make you more aero. It makes you less aero because it increases your frontal area ie your arms having to stretch to reach the bars and your head up. If you want to be more aero, raise your handlebars. That way you can bend your arms (the most aero position) and your head can rest in between them which is the ideal aero position as it minimizes frontal area
Is it safe for me to go directly from a 30 mm stack of spacers to a completely slammed stem? I took all the spacers and put them on the top and found it extremely comfortable and I don't have any back pain whilst riding. I had some back strain with the spacers.
I slam my stem, for my local rides, and for my commute to the gym. If I tour, I just flip the stem and put the spacers back under. Only thing I have to adjust, is the angle my saddle.
That video was filmed at Oddown circuit. I went there at the weekend with my cycling club on Saturday for a TT race. When was that filmed!! It's a very good circuit by the way.
I ride slammed on my summer road bike and probably a 10mm spacer in the winter but I have rode like it for 30 years and I am very comfortable I can ride 5 hours in 1 hit no problem but ultimately it’s about being comfortable if your not no amount of aero savings will will make up for it and if you don’t race does it really matter anyways🤔
Didn't know this was an option until recently. Thing is, I ride a hybrid bike (no drop bar, it's straight) but honestly should be riding a road bike. The best I can do with it is lowering that handlebar (already did thanks to its angle being adjustable). It'll probably look funny considering the bike, but I'll experiment.
@@randallsato2634 Are you career rider? Just like baseball players, they can exert that force on that shoulder for the sport career then retire with health related sport injuries taken care of by insurance. Can you afford that? Slammed stem, by all means but you need to know the long term injury to your anatomy. Damage can be unseen, by the time it hurts it is often too late.
The pros slam the stem for safety reasons. If you can't see the point of having your steerer tube plug as low in the tube as possible, you've never crashed before. Using spacers also allows the steerer tube to flex, resulting in wasted energy.
What about the optimal muscle length to apply power. My understanding is that it is at the mid range of movement. That is where there is the maximum number of muscle fibre cross bridges able to create power. Surely at the crank parallel to the ground position is where that point of maximal power output should be.
I really like your videos, but I'm glad to be just a "biker" and no athlete 😎 But actually I started to position my stem slightly lower and felt way better on the road.
Whenever I get on my R. bike with the slammed stem I had change to shorter cranks 165mm (open the hips up )and the other R. bike I use the 170mm crankset! Being 56 I can't ride it all the time otherwise it starts to effect the prostate!
If I may say so it's just silly and a bit irresponsible to talk about lowering your bars for performance benefits in terms of "stem slamming".. Whatever bar height is optimal for you, it's highly unlikely to be precisely determined by your steerer tube height. It may be slightly higher (you may need 10mm of spacers) or slightly lower (you may find that even when slammed you would be better going lower, in which case you should be thinking about a more aggressively angled stem or even a different frame). Go lower if you can, yes - but don't determine how low by your steerer tube lenght!
Being 61 years young, a slammed stem probably isn't the best for me. However, I did flip my stem. Not sure what degree of rise it has, but flipped, it's horizontal to the ground, almost like moving from the hoods to the drops. Took my back about six weeks to get used to it, but I'm not going back.
Hey guys i really hope you can give me an answer on my question. I sometimes get lower back pain. But mostly first comes after 1 hour and 45 minute. Im not sure if it is because of my core is to weak. I Got a bike fit once and they slammed my stem. And i actually made no difference i get the same pain in the same spot. Actually i feel more sore and tired in the lower back than an actual pain. If i do very hard interval’s i get the pain before. If it is very windy and i drop Down to a very aero position and my head all Way Down it is still first comes after 1 hour and 45 minutes. And that why i thought maybe it could be more a problem of my core strenght than a to low stem? Any suggestions?
it seems like a majority of these comments are complaining that their gut is in the way when they get in the drops or get aero. this seems like something that should be addressed before you're worried about getting more aero LOL
After a bike challenge, I've noticed a rider walking his bike. Asking what's wrong he answered that he 'had neck pain' that made him impossible to ride his bike. Needless to say that his bike had a slammed stem...
It doesn’t work for everybody. Core strength, physical proportions, and range of motion in a few key muscle groups are all critical factors. Sagan has spacers underneath his stems. There is nothing wrong with it. A personalized fit is more important than how many spacers you have underneath your stem or how long and angled that stem appears to be. Get a 3d motion capture fit that includes a full physical assessment of your skeletal structure and muscular roms.
Step one....slamming the stem... step two....longer steerer plug!....step three....lower your seat just a little....step four....new titanium bolts....then go ride! 🤜🏻🚴🏻♂️
Saddle height: 44". Hoods height: 38.5". That's with a 6 degree, 120 mm stem on a Giant XL frame. Stem isn't slammed. Wouldn't try it. A 7+" saddle-to-hood difference is a little extreme.
pezdacandyboi yes it’s true, they did a highly scientific test in a wind tunnel and found that elbows tucked on hoods is more aero than arms straight out on hoods (and it’s more comfortable). They did this test in a previous video. It even surprised them when they did the test.
dude - me too. I actually think it's a combination of saddle width and bike fit. I think in my case the reach was a bit long and the saddle a bit narrow. So I pushed the saddle all the way forward (my knees are still directly over the pedal spindle when pedaling) and am considering a different saddle.
I'm 6'6" tall and ride a 61cm Bianchi XR1. Like Chris, I have a -20 slammed Fizik stem and Fizik Cyrano 00 deep drop bar. I've been riding for 42 years now, and have always subscribed to the 'look pro, go slow' slammed theory.
When I slammed my stem I started by moving the spacers around so I'd drop the stem 2.5mm at a time. I'd ride it for a week and then keep rotating the spacers, lowering the stem step by step until my stem was slammed and all of the spacers were on top of the stem. After another week riding like that and being ok with it, I then cut my steerer tube. Took about 6 weeks and gave my body time to slowly adjust to the position change
Agreed - at 55 years old riding all types of bikes I’ve slammed my F8 with did it over a month - NOW the other part of the story - I’ve been riding short saddles since for ever but even then needed to swop to a straight seat post to rotate the riding position around the BB to maintain position - still to cut the steerer tube but that happening next month - Am a faster? - On my local 20k tester it shaved 4 mins and was 1kph av speed faster - down side? - still to get comfortable in drops braking on steep downhills - feels like i am going over the bar tops
David Pinnington 4mins over 20k is quite significant compare to investing a better bike.
I will try to remove my spacer after I dial my training back to building phase( sweet spot training). When I am working at VO2 max workout, I already had a hard time breathing even with the spacer under my stem lol
Best advise, do it gradually and listen to your body.
look at this first makes good point for taller riders """GCN gone mad. Wtf? Don't Slam Your Stem!"""
It's simple really, I just ride a frame that's 4 sizes too small so I can put a 140mm -17 degree stem and feel like a pro. My bike fit, bike, fitness, attitude, commitment, experience and tactical knowledge may not be pro, but my stem is so I've got that going for me.
#priorities
Its all about the look.
its all about "looks" n "culture" #1
My post is only just out of the tube. I have to put my chest on the top tube to reach the handlebars. It's all about aero.
..i did slam my stem,but ended up with more neck/shoulder pain,so put it back...alls good now!
A slammed stem will feel comfortable a week after riding. Your body adapts and so on and so forth.
@@dan_lazaro I can belive, that my shoulders shall adapts, because i have some muscle pain ater 2 hours ride and more. But my pain in the neck have "spine" character.
Russian guy and dan Lazaro , that is correct that’s what happened to me
I u slam ur stem u also have to adjust ur saddle foreaft
I have a confession that should earn me a free water bottle.....
When I was new to road bikes and watched a GCN video, I tried slamming my stem just to try it out. After I flipped it over, only then did I realize it was a zero degree stem.
I mean, I probably still saved a lot of watts regardless...
Riding an uncomfortably slammed stem suddenly becomes comfortable as the speed and adrenalin rises. But if you wan the best of both worlds, raise the bars and use the drops to get that 90 deg angle. This way you can still do the shopping without adopting a time trial position.
The problem I've found with riding in a more aero position isn't having neck or shoulder pain. It tends to be more an issue with cardiac output. I'm 50 and a bit bigger than the typical ( Si, Ole & Dan) cyclist. When I ride in the drops, I find it harder to breathe, so I end up back on the hoods. When I'm in the drops I can definitely see the power savings, but can usually only maintain it for 5 mins or so!
You will sweat more and burn more calories when you are less aero, so maybe being aero should not be #1 goal for all of us? Feels pretty pointless if you're mostly cycling for cardio and fun.
@lechprotean you will burn more calories if you push harder, not if you get more aero ;)
@Jeff Cipriano My understanding is that it is well established that cyclists experience pressure on their diaphragms when in a forward/low position. This accounts for a somewhat lower heart rate for cyclists compared with runners. I think that is one of the reasons that good cycling posture dictates a flat spine.
Finally I see a video about this!! Slammed stem. From mtb three years ago I decided to go road bike, which is more suitable for the area I have been living lately. Sadly I just couldn't adapt to the drops, handlebar, break levers and shifters. Maybe it is the bike, maybe it is me, but In spring last year I decided to make my road bike a hybrid! So I changed the cockpit, placed a flat handlebar (0 (zero) raise and 6° sweepback which I cut it short to 24inches ) with Tiagra straight bar shifters and levers. I kept the 2x10 Tiagra drive train. Then I told the guy at the local bike shop to remove the spacers and cut the steering head tube down giving enough room for the stem and a 2mm carbon spacer sitting on top of the frame. He looked at me like are you sure? What? Back at home, one day while looking at my bike I decided to invert the (70mm 6°raise) stem and voila! My bike was Slammed!!! A month ago I changed the saddle to which I tipped the nose down a bit and most recently I will change the stem for a 60mm 6° raise. I wish I could have watched this video before making all these changes and adaptations. But yeah! My bike looks cool. It is fast and I've got nice comments from people about the bike. They usually think it worths the double than what it originally costed. ;).
I've been slamming my stem centimeter by centimeter for the last 3 years, began with 4,5cm of spacers and a 7degrees stem positive (which I was pretty comfortable when I bought my bike), and now I'm fully slammed with no spacers (just a minimal 3mm to give clearance for the fork to rotate, LoL) and a 25 degrees stem put negative! And I am pretty pretty comfortable in that position too! But it was veeeeryyyy progressive, as I was gaining fitness (and losing belly, LoL), flexibility and confidence, and adjusting positions (fit) and everything at each interation (for example, as I lowered the front and raised a little the seat post, I adjusted the reach by reducing the stem length, putting saddle forward and tilting it to rotate my pelvis, following the body rotation). But my bike has a more endurance shape (with a longer headtube) which allowed it, but, hey... Now I go like 2km/h or more faster with less effort than in the beginning (my power meter doesn't lie, LoL)!
first world problems, when i try this my legs keep hitting my beer belly...
Why do you think Dan isn't in this video? ;-)
@@gcn Rather, get your stems fitted with a 5mm spacer on top, and call THAT slammed then, to save some folks from snapping off their steerer tubes...
@@gcn How dare you ? xD
Arne Seys bro try increasing your saddle height
@@Edmond347 sorry I was new to cycling when I wrote that😅 but thanks for the tip bro😚
Never in a million years would I have expected GCN to mention the gooch lol
For most (non pro) intermediate level riders comfort is speed.
Most people who are not overweight can become comfortable with a slammed setup.
@@brankododig1585 It's all a matter of the individual. I'm 5'9 1/2 170lbs athletic build and i hate a slammed stem...especially for what i call long 70k runs.
What i mean is if you are not comfortable, you're not going to be fast..at least not for long.
I saw this video yesterday. Slammed my stem by taking out the two spacers that added to about 10mm. Went for a 50km ride this morning and thoroughly enjoyed the slammed stem. Increased my speed by 0.5kmph. I ride a 54cm endurance geometry and I am 5.8” in height.
Sometimes lowering the stem can make a bike more comfortable. I tried it on my Specialized allez sprint (with a Power saddle) and it all made sense. The riding position for this type of bike is race oriented and so it the flat, short seat. When in a tucked pedaling position the bike just feels right.
Tried the slammed position, arms parallel to the ground. It’s much harder to achieve when you have a bubble gut like myself
I wish I could have my bike more aggressive! That seems all entry level road bikes have pretty relaxed geometry even if all spacers are removed.
No thats completely not true.... Radon Entry level bikes are pretty agressive. And CAAD OPTIMO 105 is possible to get in a very agressive position in case you buy 1 size smaller and a longer stem. There are endurace bikes and there are race bikes and with a little bit of search its no problem to find both types at entry level
more "relaxed geometry" is actually more aero.
Interesting content
Surprised that you didn't discuss one of the main reasons to run your stem SLAMMED
When you mount the stem closer to the upper headset bearings, the front end of the bike becomes more laterally stiff and steering becomes noticeably more direct , reactive
You also eliminate unwanted head tube and frontend flex from the fork
The more spacers between top of head tube and bottom stem create unwanted flex that WILL effect the handling feel and characteristics of the ride experience
All my Road bikes are set up with stems SLAMMED
Noticeable increase in handling , lateral stiffness and enhancement of my Cycling experiences 😎🏆
I like GCN, but make no mistake, this video was more of an ad for new product that supposedly may help you lower the handlebars a bit. Not a how-to or the wider benefits.
Agreed! - Having said that I have been using short saddles for maybe 5 years coming from TT/TRI bikes when i returned to road work - Fizik seem a little late to the party
Aaah you young 'uns. This would cripple me!
"...places a little more pressure onto the Gooch."
Bye bye, mouthful of tea.
Generally, the less-serious and heavier-in-weight rider/commuters will use a shorter stem (usually under 110 mm) in the 'up' position, with very little degree change in the stem design (0°-6° degrees). On the flip side, if you end up becoming a very serious rider (meaning, you want to go very fast and break pb's or race and do well), you'll have to get a bike-fit with an aerodynamic setup, ie, it will have a 'slammed' stem and will usually be 110 mm or longer. When I raced, I used a slammed 6° 120 mm, this was what was fitted for me by an experienced bike fitter/racer.
NOTE: the lower you are on your bike, the less watts you have to generate to do those same speeds. Sounds too simple, but this is often overlooked by all cyclists alike.
I’ve been slamming my stem since I started cycling back in 1986, and still do with a -17 set up, people put your stem where you choose and feel comfortable plain and simple.
Good video. Thank You GCN. Key is "low and long". Low position is power efficient and good cornering.
Despite the title, you didn't actually show how to slam a stem. Cut the steerer tube?
type "gcn slam" into the search bar and you'll get a bunch of gcn videos talking about stem length and position, including a tutorial on how to cut a steerer tube.
I've already got my stem fairly low but I plan on dropping it some more over winter whilst the bike is on the turbo.
That way I can check different positions and my relative power outputs in them!
Also love my Specialized Power saddle (short nose) they are so much more comfortable than a traditional long nose one.
i enjoying this fizik ad
Trying it out on the indoor trainer first is a good way of checking how you feel riding at a set power in a different position too - or even training into a lower position. I've found that I've been able to get lower for longer on the road after diliberately trying to ride low on Zwift even if I'm neither quick nor very low, and certainly not "slammed" as I'm older and rather inflexible. But training for the position certainly helped...
Does anyone remember when riders use to bend there arms more to get lower ? :0]
i remember a time when the hoods position didnt exist because STI didnt exist yet. the drops was where its at. also, quill stems makes moving the handlebars lower pretty trivial. (waits patiently for all the "ok boomer" replies)
@@spaiduhz ok boomer
I started removing my stem down one spacer at a time and are now slammed, everything is much more planted with the lower center of gravity. I’ve also increased the steam length over time, it was a personnel preference and has made the ride more comfortable for me.
One of my best bikes!
I adjusted my fore aft position by pedaling sitting up with my arms by my side. I have the specialized power saddle, and that’s the most comfortable position I’ve had it.
Using a Zipp SL Sprint 140 with no spacers on a 54 frame and love it. I had previously used a 120 stem, however the front end was too twitchy in the turns.
It was mentioned that the steerer tube must be cut to lower the stem . Not necessarily so. The spacers originally below the stem can be moved above the stem and the stack height maintained. If you really like the lower stem, then you can do some cutting.
Always consult the manufacturer's instructions. If you have a full carbon fork, running spacers above your stem may invalidate the warranty. The area where the stem clamps needs to be fully supported by the plug inside the steerer.
.....Agree that as long as you have proper flexibility ,proper fitness condition and proper bike fit you can then take advantage of the impact of improved aero as well improved steering , improved lateral stiffness and handling 😎🏆
....And looks DAMN COOL , TOO !!😎🏆😎🏆
Cheers lads
Great video! Will look at the new saddles
Thanks guys
Just turned the stem upside down to be almost level on my Giant Hybrid bike. It now feels more like a road bike with the handle bar at least 5 cm lower than the seat. The result I can push 1 to 2 harder gears on the middle chainring due to the lower position. I plan to drop the handlebar next looking forward to riding lower.
About neck and shoulders pain - it shall be perfect, to get recommendations for this problems. No only says "your body adapts". May be exist some pre- exercises or something else...
I slammed my first road bike, but it was an older Synapse. Still pretty high even slammed. Left one spacer under my aero bike for the first 2 years and have just recently put the spacer on top( slammed without cutting the steerer). I remember going an average of 1 mph faster after slamming the stem on my Synapse and staying in the drops most of the time.
If you have a carbon steerer tube make sure your stem is being supported by a plug inside so it doesn't get crushed.
Misanthropic Kat same for seatpost and handlebar. #durianrider
Very nice inspiration therefore I use on Vias - ITU VENGE CLIP-ON AERO BAR and its more aero then anything 😊
Please next time show us watts different.😉
If you slam that stem, you better hit the weights in the off season. Squats and dead lifts gonna be your best friend.
Wonderful world greetings to you all
I had a frame with a short head tube once. Tried as I might, I couldn't get my short torso in a position where I didn't have issues. So, 30mm spacers it was. Then I bought a tarmac frame with a taller head tube. Problem solved.
The predictions went perfectly well. The kisses of death worked like a charm
So I can imagine that a saddle like this helps with a more comfortable position in lower position (like a TT Bike) but what would the downsides be? If you have an endurance bike, would this also create more comfort in lower positions whilst keeping comfort in normal fast endurance riding speeds?
The more you move your saddle forward, the more you are able to get power out of the glutes and legs. But, at the same time, the more energy you spend trying to support your upper body and the extreme flexion of the spine. So for endurance rides and if you don't have a strong core, sliding the saddle backwards will be more comfortable. You will ride slower, but will also require less rest stops, so you may cover the same distance is the same or less time. If you want to be low and comfortable, you have to rotate the pelvis forward, so that your back remains as straight as possible. This puts pressure on the perineum and hands. Being flexible and having a strong core is a must!
8638marc thank you for the extensive answer!
I don't know what I was thinking when I clicked the vid.
I thought you guys were going to talk about putting your hands on your fork for aerodynamic gains.
IDK why not a lot of people do this yet.
I did slam my stem a couple of spacers and the first thing I feel quite uncomfortable and had some pain the neck
Ollie: Yours is longer than mine.
What kind of content is this GCN? :)
And more slammed.
Juvenile but very entertaining :)
it would be interesting to see wind tunnel comparison between a longer stem vs lower stem/steering tube. cancellara and sagan for example ride/rode very long reach but fairly low drop.
I've tilted my seat forward a bit and that has helped get lower.
Opie is a beast! Spierbonk 💪
I'm slammed with a Ron Jeremy sized 140 stem and no top cap, but my current frame has a really high stack height compared to every bike before, so it's more normal than people realize.
Ron Jeremy knew a thing or two about slamming his stem.
While we're on the subject of getting used to riding in the "slammed" position. It does make a huge difference!! And I took the steps to get used to the extreme position by adjusting a pare of handlebars on an older bike before I built my current bike!!
How does it feel Steven?
It depends on what size bike you ride(and a lot of other things), if you ride a larger frame then slamming your stem would give you a crazy saddle to bar drop while if you ride a small frame it can be hard to get low enough on the front end, which is my issue.
"slamming" your stem does not make you more aero. It makes you less aero because it increases your frontal area ie your arms having to stretch to reach the bars and your head up. If you want to be more aero, raise your handlebars. That way you can bend your arms (the most aero position) and your head can rest in between them which is the ideal aero position as it minimizes frontal area
In the same vein - how about a video looking at aero advantage/disadvantage from lowering or raising your brake hoods on the handlebars.
Slammed my stem and the girl almost screamed! Said I was going in too deep...
Is it safe for me to go directly from a 30 mm stack of spacers to a completely slammed stem? I took all the spacers and put them on the top and found it extremely comfortable and I don't have any back pain whilst riding. I had some back strain with the spacers.
I would like to see the difference between a slammed stem and riding on the drops.
I slam my stem, for my local rides, and for my commute to the gym. If I tour, I just flip the stem and put the spacers back under. Only thing I have to adjust, is the angle my saddle.
That video was filmed at Oddown circuit. I went there at the weekend with my cycling club on Saturday for a TT race. When was that filmed!! It's a very good circuit by the way.
Slammed my handle bar .. got back pain .. took me 1 month and my back pain eventually gone .. never been happy ever getting free speed !
I ride slammed on my summer road bike and probably a 10mm spacer in the winter but I have rode like it for 30 years and I am very comfortable I can ride 5 hours in 1 hit no problem but ultimately it’s about being comfortable if your not no amount of aero savings will will make up for it and if you don’t race does it really matter anyways🤔
I can't do it anymore, my back, neck and shoulders hurst while doing long rides (100km+)
Poor title - does not show you 'HOW' to slam your stem! Better title: 'Should you slam your stem to cycle faster?'
Slammed my stem and notably much faster 👍
Didn't know this was an option until recently.
Thing is, I ride a hybrid bike (no drop bar, it's straight) but honestly should be riding a road bike. The best I can do with it is lowering that handlebar (already did thanks to its angle being adjustable). It'll probably look funny considering the bike, but I'll experiment.
For a 30min to 1h type crit race this is ok. Not for 4h to 6h for endurance.
But don't the pros (Tour de France) all have slammed stems? So I mean, can't you adapt to the position and use it for longer rides?
@@randallsato2634 Are you career rider? Just like baseball players, they can exert that force on that shoulder for the sport career then retire with health related sport injuries taken care of by insurance. Can you afford that? Slammed stem, by all means but you need to know the long term injury to your anatomy. Damage can be unseen, by the time it hurts it is often too late.
I rode 300km a few months ago on a aero bike, no spacers, - 17 degree 120cm stem. Was pretty comfortable all the time.
@@brankododig1585 you’re an exception, not the standard.
The pros slam the stem for safety reasons. If you can't see the point of having your steerer tube plug as low in the tube as possible, you've never crashed before. Using spacers also allows the steerer tube to flex, resulting in wasted energy.
What about the optimal muscle length to apply power. My understanding is that it is at the mid range of movement. That is where there is the maximum number of muscle fibre cross bridges able to create power. Surely at the crank parallel to the ground position is where that point of maximal power output should be.
I remember riding past a chick as she was climbing and her stem was slammed and she was super low and aero. Looked cool af
I really like your videos, but I'm glad to be just a "biker" and no athlete 😎
But actually I started to position my stem slightly lower and felt way better on the road.
You’re a cyclist, not a biker unless you’re riding a motorbike
@@0741921 so I'm a cyclist and a biker 😉
Whenever I get on my R. bike with the slammed stem I had change to shorter cranks 165mm (open the hips up )and the other R. bike I use the 170mm crankset! Being 56 I can't ride it all the time otherwise it starts to effect the prostate!
I get down there, I am comfortable enough, go faster, but have difficulty lifting my head to see where I am going!
Yeah it's a real pain in the neck (pun intended)
If I may say so it's just silly and a bit irresponsible to talk about lowering your bars for performance benefits in terms of "stem slamming".. Whatever bar height is optimal for you, it's highly unlikely to be precisely determined by your steerer tube height. It may be slightly higher (you may need 10mm of spacers) or slightly lower (you may find that even when slammed you would be better going lower, in which case you should be thinking about a more aggressively angled stem or even a different frame). Go lower if you can, yes - but don't determine how low by your steerer tube lenght!
I had no idea I was riding a slammed stem all this time
Being 61 years young, a slammed stem probably isn't the best for me. However, I did flip my stem. Not sure what degree of rise it has, but flipped, it's horizontal to the ground, almost like moving from the hoods to the drops. Took my back about six weeks to get used to it, but I'm not going back.
Hey guys i really hope you can give me an answer on my question. I sometimes get lower back pain. But mostly first comes after 1 hour and 45 minute.
Im not sure if it is because of my core is to weak. I Got a bike fit once and they slammed my stem. And i actually made no difference i get the same pain in the same spot. Actually i feel more sore and tired in the lower back than an actual pain. If i do very hard interval’s i get the pain before.
If it is very windy and i drop Down to a very aero position and my head all Way Down it is still first comes after 1 hour and 45 minutes. And that why i thought maybe it could be more a problem of my core strenght than a to low stem? Any suggestions?
it seems like a majority of these comments are complaining that their gut is in the way when they get in the drops or get aero. this seems like something that should be addressed before you're worried about getting more aero LOL
After a bike challenge, I've noticed a rider walking his bike. Asking what's wrong he answered that he 'had neck pain' that made him impossible to ride his bike. Needless to say that his bike had a slammed stem...
It doesn’t work for everybody. Core strength, physical proportions, and range of motion in a few key muscle groups are all critical factors. Sagan has spacers underneath his stems. There is nothing wrong with it. A personalized fit is more important than how many spacers you have underneath your stem or how long and angled that stem appears to be. Get a 3d motion capture fit that includes a full physical assessment of your skeletal structure and muscular roms.
Step one....slamming the stem... step two....longer steerer plug!....step three....lower your seat just a little....step four....new titanium bolts....then go ride! 🤜🏻🚴🏻♂️
Leaning the saddle forward also helps
tried it before and a stiff neck for two weeks.. 😉
try adjusting it in small increments over time I had the same problem.
Does anyone else think GCN isn’t anywhere near as good as it used to be 2-3 years ago?
Would you recommend replacing a Specialized Toupe saddle if I slammed the stem on my bike?
Saddle height: 44". Hoods height: 38.5". That's with a 6 degree, 120 mm stem on a Giant XL frame. Stem isn't slammed. Wouldn't try it. A 7+" saddle-to-hood difference is a little extreme.
I've found the most long term 'pain' from the shoulder area rather than the "jewels" as Ollie says. Guess I need to hit the gym more often
I've been thinking on lowering my stem a lil. But do i need to tilt my saddle too?
To me it's more comfortable
really?
At the 3 minute mark he said it's more aero dynamic to be in hoods with arms parallel compared to drops? Did I get that correct?
pezdacandyboi yes it’s true, they did a highly scientific test in a wind tunnel and found that elbows tucked on hoods is more aero than arms straight out on hoods (and it’s more comfortable). They did this test in a previous video. It even surprised them when they did the test.
@@drayy8 how crazy!! When would we be in the drops then?!
@@pezdacandyboi use the drops for descending to keep weight on the front wheel, better grip of the bars and easier reach to the brakes.
@@2wheelsbest thank u!
It looks like every single saddle manufacturer created their own copy of Power saddle.
I find myself moving back on the saddle when reaching for more watts... bike fit?
dude - me too. I actually think it's a combination of saddle width and bike fit. I think in my case the reach was a bit long and the saddle a bit narrow. So I pushed the saddle all the way forward (my knees are still directly over the pedal spindle when pedaling) and am considering a different saddle.
watch peak Torques video on what he thinks of GCN 's take on slamming your stem.
I'd love to slam it but my hamstrings would probably break 😢
1:50 is ridiculous, intended? ;)
Obviously :D
I was wondering the same thing:)
was about to comment the same thing! :D
You know it is. 😂
Found this video very interesting. Can you do another video discussing the position of your seat, forward and rearward. Thanks
slamming stem benefits for Aerodynamics position.. but not comfortable for long endurance ride.. specially for lower back pain..