Want to raise handle bars just ad new spacers?

thehamo

Hi folks, just wondering if anyone could help me on this matter.

The bike im riding at the moment needs the saddle higher than than the halndlebars to accomodate my leg comfort. However, its creating a bit of uncomfort from crouching over too much on long cycles. I was thinking of raising the handlebars a bit to get a bit of extra height and see if that helps. Would it be a case of adding another couple of spacers, or is it at all possible. As it stands, the stem is pretty much at the top of the steerer tube.

All help appreciated:o

TinyExplosions

thehamo wrote: »

Hi folks, just wondering if anyone could help me on this matter.

The bike im riding at the moment needs the saddle higher than than the halndlebars to accomodate my leg comfort. However, its creating a bit of uncomfort from crouching over too much on long cycles. I was thinking of raising the handlebars a bit to get a bit of extra height and see if that helps. Would it be a case of adding another couple of spacers, or is it at all possible. As it stands, the stem is pretty much at the top of the steerer tube.

All help appreciated:o

A quick way to get some extra height is to flip the stem (if it's angled downwards). Other than that, if the stem is at the top of the tube, your only bet is to find a steeper angled stem -most of the online places have 'em

thehamo

This is the setup as we speak. I want to have a bit of a compromise by lowering the saddle a fraction and raising the bars.

manwithaplan

You can't add spacers as such but if there are any above the stem you can move them below. Other options include flipping the stem or rotating the bars backwards a bit. You could also move your saddle forward.

kenmc

thehamo wrote: »

This is the setup as we speak. I want to have a bit of a compromise by lowering the saddle a fraction and raising the bars.

Looks like you have a spacer or 2 on top of the stem? If so then switch them around. If the stem is at the top of the steerer tube then you can't really do much besides get a steeper stem.

thehamo

Yeh from that pic it does looks like there is a spacer or 2 on top but from memory when I was looking at it the stem was at the top of the steerer tube. I'l have to look at it when I get home. If not I'l go with the steaper angled stem.

Cheers

kona

The bike sounds like its abit to small? You can get adaptors for aheadsets to make the steerer tube longer and so make the handlebars sit higher.

thehamo

Heind sight it probably is. IM 5'8" (which I found out to my horror the other day) and 32" inseem. The bike is a 54 but perhaps a 56 would have been better.

thehamo

Anyone able to reccomend an ajustable stem? Probably the way forward I would think...

Lumen

Just flip the stem.

thehamo

ok. I will!:D

petethedrummer

Yeah try the stem flip, stem raise, handle bar rotation. Looks like you could gain about 4cms before you bespoil your lovely bike with an adjustable stem.

Lumen

Also, if you do move the spacers leave one thin one (e.g. 5mm) above the stem, as it's kinder to your steerer tube not having the stem clamped right near the end.

btw, I don't think your bike looks too small, although difficult to tell without you on it. 54cm is about right for 5ft8, the stem is a normal length and the saddle isn't a crazy height and is roughly in the middle of the rails.

Beasty

Put some pedals on while you are at it - it will probably make the world of difference:D

on_the_nickel

You could consider cutting off an inch or two of both legs. There are some videos on bicycletutor, but if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, a good LBS would be glad to help.

An added bonus is that it will also reduce weight.

doozerie

If the discomfort you are experiencing is entirely from the saddle then another approach is to look at changing the angle of your saddle or changing to a different saddle. ...but if you think that getting your handlebar position right is tricky, just wait until you delve into the world of saddle shapes/sizes/designs!

For info, I flipped the (84-degree) stem on one of my bikes recently and from what I can remember that alone made a difference of 2cm or more so it really does make a big difference for a relatively trivial change.

thehamo

Beasty wrote: »

Put some pedals on while you are at it - it will probably make the world of difference:D

lol im more of a fan of the push it along with your feet school!!!

Got it sorted anyway. was a couple of spacers on top of the stem and flipped the stem so it feels ten times better.

SurferDude41

It looks like you could indeed raise your handlebar stem. You will only need to leave one spacer above the stem, if the steerer tube is carbon.

Many of us cannot cope with a large difference in height between saddle and handlebars.
A compact frameset would have been a better option, like a Specalized or Giant...

Have a look at this u tube video, hope it helps...

Happy Cycling...SD...:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuTxugV6yY

thehamo

Cheers SD

I put the spacers underneat, and flipped the stem and then handlebars are pretty much level to saddle height now. Has a slightly "tourer" feel off it but to be honest, its waht I want. I have a bit of a bad bac so a more upright position suits me down to the ground.

cdaly_

Interestingly, I started out with my bike by adding an adjustable stem tilted up to its max and at the top of the steerer. Over about 18 months, the adjustable stem was lowered, then replaced with the original stem, then flipped the original stem so it was lower again and finally I moved all the spacers above the stem. I bet you'll end up lowering it again later...

thehamo

would be interesting to see alright.

On a side note, the spelling in my last post was atrocious:pac: