I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
On Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:34:24 -0800, Mark <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
If you think that you are leaning over too much and you consider that position to be too uncomfortable there may be two issues. One is that your body is way too tight. My mountain bike position is pretty upright. But I compare that to my position on my road bike or cyclocross bike which is indeed fairly stretched out. Second is that the bike may have the wrong size stem. They make them in different lengths and rises. http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
On Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:34:24 -0800, Mark <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
Quoted message said:
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
Quoted message said:
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
If you think that you are leaning over too much and you consider that position to be too uncomfortable there may be two issues. One is that your body is way too tight. My mountain bike position is pretty upright. But I compare that to my position on my road bike or cyclocross bike which is indeed fairly stretched out. Second is that the bike may have the wrong size stem. They make them in different lengths and rises.http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Makes sense. I will look again and see if it has an adjustment to raise it. That would help a lot. I don't think I am tensed up. I also wouldn't call my ride fairly upright either. Its more of the position I used years ago on the road bike. I wouldn't call it totally uncomfortable, but just not what I am looking for. A little more upright would be highly desirable. Will check it out and thanks.
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
Switching handlebars is kind of a hassle. It's much easier to switch stems. Try to find a stem with much more "rise".
Another alternative would be to get an extender for the fork's steer tube. This would allow several inches of additional height and could be easily removed. Setting this up is a little complicated by the fact that modern stems are used to set the preload on the headset bearings. You'd need a large number of spacers or some sort of lockring to be able to add & remove the extension and your cables would have to be long enough.
Another trick is to insert an older type stem into the steer tube to give 2 stems. If both stems are open faceplate types (most are these days) you can quickly switch back and forth, removing the upper stem when the bars are in the lower stem. See http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/index.html for a picture of this approach.
I've used all 3 techniques to adjust bar height, all are easier than swapping bars.
"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
Raising the bars a bit is possible by using a stem with a steep rise. Soma Fabrications makes one. For me the result was minimal.
On another (road) bike I replaced the handlebars and stem (quill type, very doable) to achieve that more comfortable ride you mention. Much more hassle. Brake cables were too short and I needed the LBS to replace them. Beyond my skill level. But it was quick and relatively cheap. Very good result this time.
Rivendell supports more upright riding. A visit to their website may give you some ideas about a bar configuration that might work for you. You would certainly be more upright with an Albatross and wrapping the whole bar would give you many hand options.
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
Quoted message said:
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
Quoted message said:
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
Raising the bars a bit is possible by using a stem with a steep rise. Soma Fabrications makes one. For me the result was minimal.
On another (road) bike I replaced the handlebars and stem (quill type, very doable) to achieve that more comfortable ride you mention. Much more hassle. Brake cables were too short and I needed the LBS to replace them. Beyond my skill level. But it was quick and relatively cheap. Very good result this time.
Rivendell supports more upright riding. A visit to their website may give you some ideas about a bar configuration that might work for you. You would certainly be more upright with an Albatross and wrapping the whole bar would give you many hand options.
JP
you can get some inexpensive carbon fiber spacer to raise your handlebar up to 1-2 inches you can get them on ebay or even on my store for just $5 carlos www.bikingthings.com Get Faster, Enjoy Cycling, Get Fit, Live Better.
I recently got a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike. I am having more fun riding than I have had for a long time, reminding me of the days when I rode all over town for transportation.
The Rocket is a full suspension bike, which means leaning forward. For many rides that would be just the thing in the back woods and trails. Yet a more upright position would be much more comfortable for just putzing around the neighborhood.
It looks like different handlebars would do just that and moving the shift and brake levers shouldn't be that hard. I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere that sells handle bars that would turn a mountain bike effectively into a full suspension hybrid. If not anyone ever make their own handlebars for that purpose?? Ideally it would be a system where if I was really heading into tough terrain, switching back to the straight bars wouldn't be a big deal but still have more comfort on the streets.
Be careful, that frame design has a reputation for EXPLODING.
