probably a really stupid question

how.u.doin7
how.u.doin7 Posts: 52
edited October 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi guys,

am back into mountain biking after years and am having problems lowering the stem/handle bars so my bars r lower than my seat. I have treid the manual and can do everything, (change angle etc) apart from actually lower them ? Am I being a plank? I have the bontranger ssr stem .

Many thanks.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    remove spacers from under the stem?

    Pics of what you have please.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • how.u.doin7
    how.u.doin7 Posts: 52
    Hi,

    thanks for the reply, I havent got access to a digi camera at the mo, but its the bontranger ssr stem on a trek 6700. Cant seem to find anything on the web for lowering them, everything else I can find info on apart from that . Will have another look
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    If it is an aheadset all you can do is remove spacers from below the stem and put them above the stem. Or replace the stem with a lower rise stem or turn the current stem upside down if it is not too High a rise.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    3166_IMG_2117%20kopiera.jpg

    hear you can see spacers above and below the stem.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • wilfus
    wilfus Posts: 78
    edited October 2008
    My trek 6000 came with all four spacers below the stem and I've had to put them all above the stem just to get the stem level with the height of the seat. Just need to trim the steerer tube to finish it off.
  • how.u.doin7
    how.u.doin7 Posts: 52
    Thanks very much for that , that's great, cant find anything about that on the trek manuals, thanks for the info. Have been out of the game for a few years and only had a cheaper bike back then , is that a releitively newer design? the spacers? used to just unlock the headset to drop the handle bars from what i can remember, but the spacers may have been around for years on the more expensive bikes etc.

    Thanks again
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    the old quill stem went out of favour a long time ago.

    Catch up with the tech info changes on parktools.

    Link below. Be aware when you remove the stem you are also undoing the headset.

    Unlike the old set up.

    the new set up is a threadless Aheadset.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • how.u.doin7
    how.u.doin7 Posts: 52
    cheers for that information, that's great. I will check out yr link, I was probably being a bit of an idiot there but the manual had nothing about it from what I could see.

    Many thanks
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    manuals are not there to help just to be a requirement.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • how.u.doin7
    how.u.doin7 Posts: 52
    ok cool, thanks for yr help .

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