Changing stems for comfort

mikebikemike

Annoyingly I've injured my neck (not on the bike). It's been physio-ed and apparently time and stretches will eventually fix it.
In the meantime, I'm missing out on the last of the Summer riding. Could raising my bars with a big angled/high rise cheap stem turn my bike into a comfortable roubaix type bike? Or is it more complicated than that?
I think I've around a 100mm stem with a 5% angle in it. If I go for say a 15% angled one then would I be better looking for a diffierent length stem?

explosifpete

yes it would. you can also buy extensions that allow you to put more spacers on to raise the bars. they look a bit silly but at least you can get comfortable.

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bbb-ahea ... 55665.html

One other idea it to get a stem with an adjustable angle so you can lower it bit by bit as you neck recovers
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... e=shopping

dru

Yes, changing will mae a big differnece, use the below link to calculate or show what you will need (or show the differences in the stem position)

http://alex.phred.org/stemchart/Default.aspx

mikebikemike

hmm I can't get that page to come up on my P.C.
I like the adjustable steerer for both neck recovery and maybe also having a play to work out to set a bike up in future. I'm sure the extensions would work well but for some reason I'm drawn more to the adjustable stem.
Thanks for hte replies folks.

Berk Bonebonce

Might need to fit new cables if they dunna reach.

Bobbinogs

The first easy step is to flip the stem. Most of them can be flipped (so that a -5 deg becomes a +5 deg) and this will raise the bar and bring it towards you slightly. Just need to undo a few allen bolts and it's all sorted. I would check the bar setting first to make sure you know how to replicate it once the stem has been flipped. If the stem is not at the top of the stack then you can move it up a bit too, but try not to do too much at the same time.