fitting riser bars to a flat bar road bike

Rob,

Yes. Two ways, Comfort Riser Bars, or use existing bars with a Stem riser.

I found the first thing is, the centre of gravity of the bike comes further back. This is not good for low speed handling up hills, the front can float. A longer stem may be needed. When I built the Wheeler I used a 125mm stem at 20 degrees, standard was 90mm zero degees.

The easiest way is the stem riser with the existing stem flipped over and existing bars. You can try different heights more easily. (I have 2 spare stem risers here)

Cables on a CRX should be long enough, I normally shorten them to keep the front tidy.

I've done this to two of my bikes. The latest was a bar with 40mm rise. I prefer the riser-bar rather than the stem-riser. I cut the bar to the same width as the flat bar and used 1cm longer stem. I recon that on a CRX1 the stem riser won't be needed; you may get away with something like 25mm riser bar.

I have experienced no handling/balance/and other gravity-related problems. It just feels so much more comfy for my ageing back. I am actually faster on the bike now because I can pedal harder for longer since my back does no hurt -- the limit is the heart-rate and the legs now!!

One more thing: I had to get new housing for gear cables. So, keep that in mind. I'd go to a shop and have a look at different bars and sterm-risers. Touch it and feel it before you buy it. I did not like the stem riser, but that does not mean it is useles.

robalert said:

I was wondering if anyone has fitted different bars to their flat bar road bike?

I find the flat bar a bit hard on the back for cruisey/commuting riding and was wondering what may the adverse effects of fitting a wider low rise XC bar. Hopefully it would increase the comfort factor. I already have bar ends on my bike to reduce the numbness and can get more forward over the bike.

I know it sounds odd to change the bars... since it is a flat bar road bike but at times, I just would like to be more comfortable

By the way, I run the standard set up, 2006 CRX1 with 6 degree rise Easton EA30 100mm stem and EA30 flat bar.