M
Magnusfarce
Guest
I need to learn more about how to raise the handlebars on a road bike, and
what effects that will have on handling and frame strength.
A while back, I injured my neck and can no longer spend hours hunched over a
standard set of road bike handlebars with my head tilted up to see the road
in front of me. However, it is important to me to be able to ride for
exercise, so after some treatments and a couple of years healing time, I
gave it a try. I mounted a cheap adjustable stem on my old road bike and
determined that with the handlebars several inches above the seat, I can
ride moderate distances (say, up to two hours a couple or three times a
week) without aggravating the neck problem. This will allow me to do
effective workout rides in the hills around my home (lots of climbing).
The problem is that my old bike, with the adjustable stem and very high
handlebars, is just too flimsy feeling to ride long term. As a result, I'm
looking for a new bike that will handle the higher handlebars. At this
point, I'm staring very hard at the Trek 2100C, which is their "comfort"
version of a road bike. By comfort, they mean that the rider sits in a more
upright position than, say, on other pure road bikes. There are some
hybrids available (e.g., the 7700) that might also work, but I would rather
stay in a road bike format. The 2100C gives me the frame and component
group quality that I'm looking for at a price I can (almost) manage. The
extra large 63cm size should work for me (6'4", 250 heading toward 210), but
I worry about reliability and frame strength (the bike's, not mine). For
short workout rides, efficiency is no longer much of a factor. I now care
much more about bike and component strength than weight. Now, finally to my
questions:
1) What are my best options for raising the handlebars on the new bike? I
'm not keen on adjustable stems. I have seen fixed extenders for the
steering tubes (made by Delta, I think) that add about three inches
vertically. There are also angled stems that might accomplish the task at
hand. Is it possible that the manufacturer might be able to give me a fork
with an extra long steerer tube? Comments about these various approaches?
2) How will raising the handlebars affect handling and steering? I know
that my center of gravity will be higher. I'm also aware that this unusual
set up will change my riding techniques completely, but that's just
something I'll have to adapt to. As I said earlier, my old bike is really
twitchy with the bars raised so high. How can I be sure that a new bike
like the 2100C will be better before I commit $1500?
In order to keep this thread under control, I'd prefer not to get into any
extended discussions of other bikes, but rather to keep this a question
about geometry, handling, and safety with the 2100C as my target new bike.
FWIW, the critical geometry data for the 63cm sized 2100C are: 104cm
wheelbase, 59 top tube, 74 degree head angle, 72.5 seat angle, 4.5 offset
and 5.8 trail. With the exception of trail, these numbers are very close to
those for my old bike.
I want to get back to riding and need to make a good decision about the bike
and set up I choose. Any help would be much appreciated.
- Magnusfarce
what effects that will have on handling and frame strength.
A while back, I injured my neck and can no longer spend hours hunched over a
standard set of road bike handlebars with my head tilted up to see the road
in front of me. However, it is important to me to be able to ride for
exercise, so after some treatments and a couple of years healing time, I
gave it a try. I mounted a cheap adjustable stem on my old road bike and
determined that with the handlebars several inches above the seat, I can
ride moderate distances (say, up to two hours a couple or three times a
week) without aggravating the neck problem. This will allow me to do
effective workout rides in the hills around my home (lots of climbing).
The problem is that my old bike, with the adjustable stem and very high
handlebars, is just too flimsy feeling to ride long term. As a result, I'm
looking for a new bike that will handle the higher handlebars. At this
point, I'm staring very hard at the Trek 2100C, which is their "comfort"
version of a road bike. By comfort, they mean that the rider sits in a more
upright position than, say, on other pure road bikes. There are some
hybrids available (e.g., the 7700) that might also work, but I would rather
stay in a road bike format. The 2100C gives me the frame and component
group quality that I'm looking for at a price I can (almost) manage. The
extra large 63cm size should work for me (6'4", 250 heading toward 210), but
I worry about reliability and frame strength (the bike's, not mine). For
short workout rides, efficiency is no longer much of a factor. I now care
much more about bike and component strength than weight. Now, finally to my
questions:
1) What are my best options for raising the handlebars on the new bike? I
'm not keen on adjustable stems. I have seen fixed extenders for the
steering tubes (made by Delta, I think) that add about three inches
vertically. There are also angled stems that might accomplish the task at
hand. Is it possible that the manufacturer might be able to give me a fork
with an extra long steerer tube? Comments about these various approaches?
2) How will raising the handlebars affect handling and steering? I know
that my center of gravity will be higher. I'm also aware that this unusual
set up will change my riding techniques completely, but that's just
something I'll have to adapt to. As I said earlier, my old bike is really
twitchy with the bars raised so high. How can I be sure that a new bike
like the 2100C will be better before I commit $1500?
In order to keep this thread under control, I'd prefer not to get into any
extended discussions of other bikes, but rather to keep this a question
about geometry, handling, and safety with the 2100C as my target new bike.
FWIW, the critical geometry data for the 63cm sized 2100C are: 104cm
wheelbase, 59 top tube, 74 degree head angle, 72.5 seat angle, 4.5 offset
and 5.8 trail. With the exception of trail, these numbers are very close to
those for my old bike.
I want to get back to riding and need to make a good decision about the bike
and set up I choose. Any help would be much appreciated.
- Magnusfarce
