Adjustable stems to raise bars, etc.

plug1n
plug1n Posts: 204
edited March 2008 in Workshop
I'm finally thinking of buying a 21st century bike :)

I have a recent cyclefit which I am happy with but as a 14st, 53-year old I need an upright position. One parameter in the fit is only a 1.5cm horizontal drop from the saddle to the top of the bars.

Getting this measurement on any modern off-the-shelf bike is a challenge.

Any thoughts on using rise on an adjustable stem to achieve this?

Seems like the simplest solution to me.

Thanks

Comments

  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    Because I didn't where I would need my handlebar position when I built me 21st century bike I not only use a stack of spacers but also did excatly as you say - I fitted an adjustable stem. Mine is an MTB one (for 25.4mm bars) because I'm also using straight bars but they're available for road bars too.

    Once you've determined the angle you can fit a stem that suits if you find the adjustable ugly.

    Geoff
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • Yorkshireman
    Yorkshireman Posts: 999
    This might be a good idea
    http://www.nvocomponents.com
    I think that the Dawes Super Galaxy (2007) uses that system.
    Colin N.


    Lincolnshire is mostly flat... but the wind is mostly in your face!
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    An adjustable stem will do the trick, but if you can work out the required position first then get a fixed stem, used in conjunction with an appropriate stack of spacers if necessary - a neater solution in the end. If you don't want to save the money, get teh adjustable first.
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    I bought a light tourer with drop bars about 15 months ago, and decided a couple of months ago I needed to raise my bars as the stretch was too far and too low for me, as I'm getting on a bit as well.

    As my stem was already at the top of the fork, I realised that an adjustable stem might be just what I need, so I bought this adjustable stem :
    http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/products.ph ... 83s89p2637
    (the 125mm one) a few months ago. It has been fantastic as it has raised my bars about 3 inches so that they are now about 2 inches above my saddle. I have it fixed at a 50 degree angle which is about the highest it will go without stretching the cables too much.

    One minor downside was the I noticed that I was getting a bit of cable rub on the front fork part of the frame as a result of the cables being a bit closer than before, but I've now sorted that by protecting the frame with some clear frame patches.

    I would definitely recommend going for an adjustable stem.
  • e999sam
    e999sam Posts: 426
    Specialized do a stem that comes with 3 different shims which fit around the steering tube inside the stem. With a combination of the shims in 2 different positions and the stem in 2 different positions you can adjust the angle of the stem between +16 and –16 degrees in 10 steps.

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