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...

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

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.

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.

..i did slam my stem,but ended up with more neck/shoulder pain,so put it back...alls good now!

Never in a million years would I have expected GCN to mention the gooch lol

first world problems, when i try this my legs keep hitting my beer belly...

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)!

Despite the title, you didn't actually show how to slam a stem. Cut the steerer tube?

Great video! Will look at the new saddles

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!

Tried the slammed position, arms parallel to the ground. It’s much harder to achieve when you have a bubble gut like myself

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.

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.

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.

"...places a little more pressure onto the Gooch." Bye bye, mouthful of tea.

For most (non pro) intermediate level riders comfort is speed.

Cheers lads

Does anyone remember when riders use to bend there arms more to get lower ? :0]

i enjoying this fizik ad

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.

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 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.

I did slam my stem a couple of spacers and the first thing I feel quite uncomfortable and had some pain the neck

Aaah you young 'uns. This would cripple me!

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!

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...

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.

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.

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...

Thanks guys

Good video. Thank You GCN. Key is "low and long". Low position is power efficient and good cornering.

I've been thinking on lowering my stem a lil. But do i need to tilt my saddle too?

Would you recommend replacing a Specialized Toupe saddle if I slammed the stem on my bike?

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.

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.

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 would like to see the difference between a slammed stem and riding on the drops.

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?

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.

.....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 !!😎🏆😎🏆

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 can't do it anymore, my back, neck and shoulders hurst while doing long rides (100km+)

What kind of exercises should you be doing to maintain this kind of position?

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🤔

The predictions went perfectly well. The kisses of death worked like a charm

Opie is a beast! Spierbonk 💪

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.

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 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.

When you guys slam your stem, do you size down your handlebars too? Like 42 to a 40?

If you have a carbon steerer tube make sure your stem is being supported by a plug inside so it doesn't get crushed.

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.

I've tilted my seat forward a bit and that has helped get lower.

nice

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 get knee pain if I bring my saddle forward, so not sure I can do this. I have to keep the saddle back and tilt nose down to relieve pressure but that will mean I have a more closed hip angle and less muscle recruitment...😭

In the same vein - how about a video looking at aero advantage/disadvantage from lowering or raising your brake hoods on the handlebars.

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.

Ollie: Yours is longer than mine. What kind of content is this GCN? :)

I find myself moving back on the saddle when reaching for more watts... bike fit?

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 can’t ride the way u ride at 6.40 in the video without adjusting my hips. Is it because my stem is short?

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.

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 want to slam my stem hopefully can do gradually and test out how far I can slam the stem keeping comfortable in rides Ridley fenix sl

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?

I have a noob question: is there a point where you are so low, that you have to tilt your head up so much to still be able to look down the road, that you're actually less aero, not more? I mean, as long as the top of your head is lower than/as low as the top of your back your good right? Couldn't you just raise the stem a tiny bit for comfort, and just sink your head between your shoulders more for those times when you want to be really aero?

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.

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.

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.

Slammed my stem and notably much faster 👍

It’s already a challenge to stay long down in the drops :’( maybe tips on that?

Will it be comfortable using a aero bar attached on the handlebar when the stem is slammed??

"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

I had no idea I was riding a slammed stem all this time

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.

Slammed my stem and the girl almost screamed! Said I was going in too deep...

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

Are we still talking about stems and stem sizes? I drifted for a bit there while you were pointing the direction of your other stem...

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.

1:50 is ridiculous, intended? ;)

For a 30min to 1h type crit race this is ok. Not for 4h to 6h for endurance.

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

When GCN will made challange on Strava?

How about not slam stems and go fast?

#GCN is that not just a Spec Power rip off?

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 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.

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

Road cycling is about looking like your experienced?

tried it before and a stiff neck for two weeks.. 😉

I get down there, I am comfortable enough, go faster, but have difficulty lifting my head to see where I am going!

I'd love to slam it but my hamstrings would probably break 😢

I put grips on my front axle for max aero. So slammed