Handlebars - raising?

Peewiglet said:

I'm not sure but I think my handlebars may be too low. I'll look into
finding out whether they are or not, but a week ago I asked at the LCS
whether it was possible to raise them, and I was told it wasn't.

Can anyone tell me what the solution may be, if they're too low? I'm
assuming that I may need to buy a different set of handlebars,
perhaps?

Many thanks for any help.

What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem (quill,
ahead) do you have currently fitted?

--
Tony

"I did make a mistake once - I thought I'd made a mistake but I hadn't"
Anon

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

I'm not sure but I think my handlebars may be too low. I'll look into
finding out whether they are or not, but a week ago I asked at the LCS
whether it was possible to raise them, and I was told it wasn't.

Can anyone tell me what the solution may be, if they're too low? I'm
assuming that I may need to buy a different set of handlebars,
perhaps?

You need a different stem - that's the piece which runs forward from the
steerer tube to the handlebars. It's reasonably simple to change them.
Some are adjustable.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

Do not sail on uphill water.
- Bill Lee

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:32:50 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem (quill,
ahead) do you have currently fitted?

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Simon Brooke said:

You need a different stem - that's the piece which runs forward from the
steerer tube to the handlebars. It's reasonably simple to change them.
Some are adjustable.

Ah, thanks. I'll ask at the shop 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 22:35:08 +0100, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem (quill,
ahead) do you have currently fitted?

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Those are riser bars. Flats are exactly that, completely, errr...
flat.

The reason you can't just raise the handlebars is that your bike, like
most modern bikes, uses the "A head" type fork and stem arrangement.
The stem clamps directly onto the fork steerer tube, and, because the
fork is cut off directly above the stem, there is no higher position
available to move it to.

As someone else has suggested, one option is to fit an adjustable
stem. See here for an example:

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/3545/groupID/4/categoryID/51/v/

It clamps in place as normal, but has a joint which can be adjusted to
swing the bars up or down through an arc.

It's worth remembering that this will have also have an effect on the
reach of the bars, moving them slightly forward or back, as well us up
or down.

"Bob"
--

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to a legal defence fund but only if 10,000 other people will
also make this same pledge." Phil Booth, NO2ID

Join the Pledge !!

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Email address is spam trapped, to reply directly remove the beverage.

Peewiglet said:

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Assuming turning the stem upside down wouldn't help (seriously), and there
are no spacers above the stem, changing the stem for one with more rise is
the cheapest and most straightforward method. Adjustable stems are handy
as well.

A steerer extension adapter is a more radical method if you need /loads/
more height.

~PB

Call me Bob said:

Quoted message said:

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Those are riser bars. Flats are exactly that, completely, errr...
flat.

Oops, thanks. I wasn't quite sure...

Quoted message said:

The reason you can't just raise the handlebars is that your bike, like
most modern bikes, uses the "A head" type fork and stem arrangement.
The stem clamps directly onto the fork steerer tube, and, because the
fork is cut off directly above the stem, there is no higher position
available to move it to.

As someone else has suggested, one option is to fit an adjustable
stem. See here for an example:

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/3545/groupID/4/categoryID/51/v/

It clamps in place as normal, but has a joint which can be adjusted to
swing the bars up or down through an arc.

It's worth remembering that this will have also have an effect on the
reach of the bars, moving them slightly forward or back, as well us up
or down.

Many thanks - that's very helpful. I'll approach the shop to enquire
:-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Pete Biggs said:

Peewiglet said:

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Assuming turning the stem upside down wouldn't help (seriously), and there
are no spacers above the stem, changing the stem for one with more rise is
the cheapest and most straightforward method. Adjustable stems are handy
as well.

A steerer extension adapter is a more radical method if you need /loads/
more height.

Thanks, Pete :-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:32:50 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem
(quill, ahead) do you have currently fitted?

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Those are called 'risers' because of the slight rise; flats really are.
I can't see from the spec whether your steerer is 1" or 1.125" but
probably the latter. You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Alternatively you can get adjustable
stems like this
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5360012213>

The best and cheapest solution is just to buy a stem exactly the length
and angle you need, but often a little experimentation is needed to find
that!

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

to err is human, to lisp divine
;; attributed to Kim Philby, oddly enough.

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:32:50 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem
(quill, ahead) do you have currently fitted?

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Those are called 'risers' because of the slight rise; flats really are.
I can't see from the spec whether your steerer is 1" or 1.125" but
probably the latter. You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Please, what is the problem with these?

"Eric Reynolds" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:00:59 +0100, Simon Brooke <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Those are called 'risers' because of the slight rise; flats really are.
I can't see from the spec whether your steerer is 1" or 1.125" but
probably the latter. You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Please, what is the problem with these?

I'm not sure I'd use one for hard MTB riding, or if I was worried about
weight, but for road use they're fine. Our road tandem has one.

cheers,
clive

Eric Reynolds said:

On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:00:59 +0100, Simon Brooke

Quoted message said:

You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these

[stem raiser:]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Please, what is the problem with these?

I don't know of any great problem with them (as long as it didn't raise
/too/ much), but a replacement stem with more rise angle would be lighter,
stiffer, neater and simpler*, and possibly a bit cheaper too. Of course a
stem raiser would be handy if no stem on its own could provide enough
height.

Drastic and expensive as it may be, I would also consider replacing the
forks to get a longer steerer.

* Fewer parts you have, the fewer parts there are to go wrong and worry
about.

~PB

in message <[email hidden]>, Eric Reynolds

(') said:

On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:00:59 +0100, Simon Brooke <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:32:50 +0100, Tony Raven
<[email hidden]> wrote:

>What type of bars (drop, flats, riser etc) and what type of stem
>(quill, ahead) do you have currently fitted?

I think they must be flats. My bike's a Ridgeback Cyclone: piccy here
http://tinyurl.com/76h9l

Those are called 'risers' because of the slight rise; flats really are.
I can't see from the spec whether your steerer is 1" or 1.125" but
probably the latter. You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Please, what is the problem with these?

The adjustment is pretty course, and it's a chunk of weight. Also, it's
one more pair of bolts which if they were ever to come loose would mean
serious trouble, but that isn't very likely. If you're fitting a new
fork and want this sort of configuration, the better solution (lighter,
stronger, more adjustable) is simply to leave the steerer tube long and
use stackers; unfortunately new bikes tend to come with their steerers
cut really short these days.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; Let's have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck
;; in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle.
;; Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Dem, OR)

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Those are called 'risers' because of the slight rise; flats really are.
I can't see from the spec whether your steerer is 1" or 1.125" but
probably the latter. You can increase the effective length of your
steerer by using one of these
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProdID=5110000395>
but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Please, what is the problem with these?

The adjustment is pretty course

Actually in some ways that isn't an issue. Provided you want the entire
extra length offered, it actually gives you fine adjustment of about an
inch - you don't need spacers to mount the stem on the extension bit.

Quoted message said:

and it's a chunk of weight.

Not disputed

Quoted message said:

Also, it's
one more pair of bolts which if they were ever to come loose would mean
serious trouble, but that isn't very likely.

Just as if your stem bolts come loose you're shafted. Ie treat it the same
as a stem and this won't be an issue.

cheers,
clive

Clive George said:

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Also, it's
one more pair of bolts which if they were ever to come loose would
mean serious trouble, but that isn't very likely.

Just as if your stem bolts come loose you're shafted. Ie treat it the
same as a stem and this won't be an issue.

But two sets of bolts doubles the chances of problems. Not a big issue
but is another factor to add to the considerations.

~PB

I recently installed a "Zoom" brand stem riser. (similar to the "Delta"
model Simon was kind enough to link to)

It's SOLID. I would have no issue with using it offroad nor any fear it
would come loose or break. Beefy. Feels like it's welded on.

3.5inches of extra rise, adjustable with the included spacers.
http://harriscyclery.net/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1400 (mine has two bolts,
not the single depicted, but otherwise the same, for a 1-1/8th inch stem)

Good luck,
Chris

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm not sure but I think my handlebars may be too low. I'll look into
finding out whether they are or not, but a week ago I asked at the LCS
whether it was possible to raise them, and I was told it wasn't.

Can anyone tell me what the solution may be, if they're too low? I'm
assuming that I may need to buy a different set of handlebars,
perhaps?

Many thanks for any help.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk