HELP - My handlebars are to low ? Need higher them ??

bilabonic
bilabonic Posts: 299
edited August 2011 in Road beginners
Hi

Bought a secondhand Felt F75 and the frame size is spot on BUT the forks seem very low as if they have been cut as short as possible. It has x2 5mm spacers (AND LOWER KNECK PART).

Do i need to buy new pair and more spacers ? How do i know what will fit ??

I have tried a 10mm shorter stem but still no joy.

The seat/handlebar drop is crazy, especially for a beginner...

Cheers
Specialized Epic FSR Carbon Comp

Comments

  • EarlyGo
    EarlyGo Posts: 281
    hi bilabonic,

    No you don't need to buy new forks. Try Googling 'steerer extender'. I've never used one, but it sounds like what your after and they're cheap! Definitely speak to your LBS though, they can advise you on the best option and how many spacers you'll need etc.


    Regards, EarlyGo
  • garnett
    garnett Posts: 196
    You could also look for a more acutely angled/longer stem...
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Flip the stem over. Raises the bars by best part of an inch, Not for the purists but works fine. In fact a few pro's use this method.

    If any shop recommends an extender walk away.

    PS what is the drop from saddle top to top of bars it should be about 70 -80 mm
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • Keith1983
    Keith1983 Posts: 575
    Down the Road wrote:
    If any shop recommends an extender walk away.


    What's wrong with extenders?
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    You could try an adjustable stem and find the height that suits you. One of the advantages of the old quill handlebar stems is that the height can be easily adjusted, even during a ride. Not so easy with modern systems.
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Keith1983 wrote:
    Down the Road wrote:
    If any shop recommends an extender walk away.


    What's wrong with extenders?

    Everything.

    Max Height of Steerer above the top cap is 70mm any more overloads the front end and can cause fork failiure.

    This applies double if a carbon steerer is used.
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • FSR_XC
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
    Specialised adjustable stem
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    There is nothing wrong with extenders, I have used one during a period of back pain and they are perfectly safe.

    If you believe the figures quoted above then all bikes must have their bars below the saddle, this isn't the case and lots of people ride tourers or audax bikes with their bars above the line of the saddle for comfort reasons.

    As you are a begginer any temporary solution that gets you comfortable on the bike will help for now. You will probably develop core strength over time and may like to have it lower eventually so give it some time before you go for a permanent solution like changing the forks.

    You won't develop any core strength if you are uncomfortable and end up not riding the bike!
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Max Height of Steerer above the top cap is 70mm any more overloads the front end and can cause fork failure.
    An extender goes down inside the steerer and reinforces it. It is stronger than using a high angle stem. I would not use one with a carbon steerer though as it uses a quill type expander. Nothing wrong with a properly fitted one.
    My Fleet.
  • Essex Man
    Essex Man Posts: 283
    Down the Road wrote:

    PS what is the drop from saddle top to top of bars it should be about 70 -80 mm

    Says who?
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    This is the one I used and it goes over the current steerer tube and clamps on the same as the stem does, then the stem clamps onto the top part.

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/delta-delta- ... prod16189/
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    That one places most stress just below where it clamps on. The internal ones spread it down below the top bearing. They look neater too as you can not see them.
    My Fleet.
  • bilabonic
    bilabonic Posts: 299
    Cheers Guys, don't think i trust one of them extenders.....

    I have flipped stem and it does raise it a bit BUT the front brake cable is then too short !!!

    It has Dura Ace kit on it, what cable do you recommend i replace it with ?

    Want something that will not stretch.

    Cheers
    Specialized Epic FSR Carbon Comp
  • estampida
    estampida Posts: 1,008
    check ebay for a used adjustable stem, nice and cheap

    once you have the ange and reach sorted, find a nice stem that fits, maybe even custom in steel?? if its very specific to your needs
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Down the Road wrote:
    PS what is the drop from saddle top to top of bars it should be about 70 -80 mm

    Not true for everybody. Mine is about 150mm on my training bike and I'm by no means exceptional and at 68 I'm sure I'm not as flexible as some - although having had a road bike for about 55 years I suppose I'm used to riding one.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Cheers Guys, don't think i trust one of them extenders.....
    They internal ones are fine (never used the others so I can't comment.). They actually put less strain on the steerer than a flipped stem and a lot of spacers. One of my bikes has one fitted with about 2.5" of spacers and the stem in the normal position as it looks better that way. The extender goes about half way down the head tube so the stress is really spread out. Never had any problem.
    My Fleet.

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