Bar and Stem size selection advice

dmorton

Hi,

I wondering if there is a method for selecting the right bar and stem fit, other than buying and trying lots of different ones!

I'm looking to for slightly wider bars for my Orange Crush 2010. I also think I need a bit more height, I feel my hands are slightly too low, stretching my back a bit. OK for shorter rides though

Currently on there are Raceface Ride Riser Bars (660mm wide) and Raceface Ride Stem (90mm). Currently the setup is OK, but I think I'd be more comfortable with slightly wider bars which are also a bit higher.

I've tried a shorter stem (Raceface Respond) and wider bars (Answer Pro Taper 720 AM). The bars but they just didn't work with either RF stem (Ride or Respond). The Respond stem is just too short

I'm not sure what to change to get the fit I want. Wider bars that have more upward sweep/rise using the original RF Ride Stem? Or try to get the Answer Bars to fit with a different stem?

Any advice would be great

Cheers

dmorton

One bar I'm considering is the Raceface Evolve 3/4 Riser - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=66302

http://raceface.com/components/handlebars/evolve/evolve-three-quarter-riser/

delcol

if you cant raise the stem any higher with spacers then a riser bar should give you a little more height..

as for what bars and stem it's hard to say because what peter likes paul wont and what paul likes dave doesn't..

i have 50 mm stem on my hardtail with 715mm chromag bars. i would prefare slightly wider bars but cant afford to change them yet..

can i ask what is it you are after casue you say widerbars then you say height, then you mention stretching your back a bit :? :?

a shorter stem will shorten the reach so will reduce the stretching feeling. widerbars will give you a wider grip so you will feel like you have more control, and going for a higher raiser bar 3/4 or 1 inch would raise your hands...

dmorton

What I'm after is wider and higher hand position. Wider for more control and it feels better if I move my hands out slightly (20mm or so) on current RF Ride Riser bars. Then with the saddle setup for optimum pedalling height, it feels like my hands a bit too low. Looking at it the other way I feel I need to sit up slightly more. Long legs, short arms bascially! But I think I still need the stem length of the RF Ride (90mm), it felt cramped with the Respond stem which is 60mm.

The Rookie

Why not buy cheap and cheerful from ebay to get your sizing sorted, then once you have buy good stuff in that size? Resell your ebay buys and apart from P&P/fees you'll get your money back anyway.

Simon

DCR00

90mm to 60mm is a bit drop back on the stem

why not try an 80mm instead ?

wider bars will make you lean forward slightly more as well

i had the same issue with my bike (which took a 90mm OEM)

i played around with a 70mm, which made the front end too twitchy, so settled on 80mm which i perfect

now ive added 710mm riser bars to it (from 680mm flats), the front end is sorted

there is an element of trial and error involved

supersonic

The Beginner wrote:

Why not buy cheap and cheerful from ebay to get your sizing sorted, then once you have buy good stuff in that size? Resell your ebay buys and apart from P&P/fees you'll get your money back anyway.

Simon

This is the way forward. Good thing is though that often the cheap stuff is better than the expensive stuff!