Adjustable Handlebar Stems

Agzee

I am considering buying an 'Adjustable Handlebar Stem' and wondered whether anyone has any experience of using one.

Looking at various ones on the web they seem to vary in quality, the one that interests me is the 'X-Tas-Y - Swell" which has a stronger adjustment method than some I have seen.

This stem features on the German 'Humpert' website:-

http://www.humpert.com/de/bikeparts/mar ... tikel=1147

Their website is in German which I cannot read although I think that the products are manufactured in Germany, no doubt someone who reads German will correct me if I am wrong!

Cheers - Agzee

alfablue

They do a reasonable job, though it is probably that you will just get it set in the right position then leave it like that, so if you could work out what you need a fixed one would be better (lighter, more rigid). Don't forget you can alter the bar position by flipping your existing stem and / or placing it above or below any headset spacers ypu have.

It might be just superstition but I would prefer the confidence of a fixed stem for serious off-roading. If just for the road or paths then no worries.

glasgowdan

I've got a cheapo one you can have for cost of postage if you aren't sure if its worth buying a new one or not. Works perfect, as new condition, just quite heavy.

Agzee

alfablue wrote:

They do a reasonable job, though it is probably that you will just get it set in the right position then leave it like that,
quote]

You are spot-on! That would be my intention.

My present stem has about a 5% rise and I want a more upright riding position as I am turning my MTB into a tourer, have already purchased a set of riser bars, it is just trying to determine what percentage rise I need for the new stem.

The only spacer I have on the present fork steerer is a 20mm one which is situated below the present stem.

As I am also changing the forks and have an uncut steerer at present do you think it worthwhile instead of cutting the steerer to a precise length just to accommodate a single 20mm spacer that I leave it slightly longer so that I can use additional spacers?

Will also pop into my LBS and see what they suggest is a suitable stem percentage rise for my intended use, at least he has a good range of stems in stock.

Agzee

Agzee

glasgowdan wrote:

I've got a cheapo one you can have for cost of postage if you aren't sure if its worth buying a new one or not. Works perfect, as new condition, just quite heavy.

Thanks for your generous offer 'glasgowdan', at the moment I am seriously thinking of just buying a fixed stem.

What put me off an adjustable stem (apart from weight!) was the following warning given on one website I visited in relation to one of the adjustable stems they supply:-

CAUTION:-
This product is not recommended for Downhill competition, Stunt riding or any aggressive off road riding.

The state of some of the roads around where I live it could be classed as 'off road riding'!

Just going off-topic for a moment is anyone experiencing problems with the red banner on the right of forum page window intruding into the posted messages when viewing with the browser Mozilla Firefox?

In order to read the messages I have to switch to Internet Explorer 7 which is not affected by the banner problem.

Agzee

MarvintheAndroid

yeah, theres a thread been started http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/forums/vie ... highlight=

Marv

Agzee

MarvintheAndroid wrote:

yeah, theres a thread been started http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/forums/vie ... highlight=
Marv

Thanks for that Marv thought my computer was playing-up.

Had a chance to visit a couple of LBAs this morning to check on handlebar stems, each shop had some adjustable stems in stock but on examining them was not overly impressed.

Neither of the shops had any 30 or 40-degree rise stems in stock, but they did hope to have some in by the end of the week, one sells System EX and the other the Amoeba Barla which is a 90mm length stem with a 40-degree rise.

Will have to check with them near the end of the week to see who has stock.

Agzee

alfablue

Agzee, as you are buying new forks you can leave the steerer very long and fit multiple spacers (maybe as much as 5cm), you may then find you don't need a new stem. Even if you still do, at least leave your options open by keeping the steerer long for now. You can get a pipe cutter (up to 30mm) quite cheaply and cut your stem yourself (multiple times if necessary). Also, whilts trying it all out, remember that you can keep spacers above and below the stem to try different heights.

When you cut the steerer remember to cut it so the top is 2mm below the top spacer to allow the stem cap to do its job properly (tension the headset). Like this:



See the Park Tools headset service page for info.

Agzee

Thanks for the advice and link to the Park Tools page.

I already have the 'clamp' for holding the steerer tube whilst cutting it with a hacksaw, makes the job a lot easier.

One of the LBS is getting a selection of stems in for me to have a look at without any obligation to buy.

Agzee