Stem, headset and handlebars

Staffswolf

After doing several long rides I have been suffering with lower back pain.

I used a mates bike with a shorter stem and it seem to do the trick and I suffered no back pain.

So my question is what are my options for swapping out the following:-

My bike is a 2013 cannondale trial

Stem - cannondale c4 1-1/8", 31.8, 7 degree, 80mm length

Headset - tange reducer 1.5mm - 1-1/8"

Handlebars - cannondale c3, 680x20

I have been looking at replacing the above for some time but don't know where to start.

Any advice would be welcomed, I think a shorter stem is a must.

Just need some guidance on what set ups are compatible.

Cheers

njee20

No inherent need to change your headset. Was your mate's bike the same size? You've got a relatively short stem already, suggests the bike could be too long.

Virtually any bar and stem will fit. If you're finding 80 too long consider a 50 or 60.

Staffswolf

My mates bike is the same size but has a 60mm stem.

I was thinking a 50 or 60mm stem.

Do you have any recommendations? If I did want to upgrade the headset at the same time will I be limited with having a 1.5" head tube?

Thanks for the help too mate.

njee20

Actually the same, ie same top tube length, or just another 18" (or whatever) frame?

Yes, you will need another reducer headset. Why do you want to change your headset though?

Staffswolf

I just thought it maybe good to upgrade.

His bike is just the same frame size.

So would you say stem and bars only then?

Staffswolf

Maybe something like this?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/truv ... -prod67683

felix.london

'upgrade' the headset is a weird one...usually just leave them in until they need to be changed due to wear or a fork change.

Re. stem - depends what you're after, lightweight, strength? etc Might be better to get something really cheap off eBay and see if your back pain goes.

Get the tape measure out and measure from the centre of the seat to the centre of the of the bars on both bikes then maybe move seat back or forward but could also be height of the bar so worth playing around with spacers too

Staffswolf

This is my current set up.

Measured from centre of handlebars to centre of stem. 90mm

Staffswolf

Tried to add a picture from Flickr but for some reason it wont show?

2nd attempt!!

[img]<iframe%20src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/125344601@N03/14455101908/player/b87741f421&quot; height=&quot;375&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;[/img]

There is also a picture showing my seat height in relation to the bars. My seat is at the correct height but my bars look very low to me.

[img]<iframe%20src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/125344601@N03/14641277762/player/2d140527d2&quot; height=&quot;375&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;[/img]

njee20

Difficult to tell from that angle, saddle to handlebar drop is entirely personal though. A shorter stem is unlikely to fix that, you perhaps need something with more rise

Staffswolf

Right 2nd attempt!!

This is measured centre of bars to centre of stem. 90mm



And here is a shot of my current saddle height. My bars look low and I find myself leaning forward to reach them, this is where I feel a shorter stem would put me more upright and straighten my back.



What are people's thoughts?

cooldad

That's a lot of seat post showing. I'd say the bike is too small for you.

Staffswolf

I recently made it higher. I'm 6ft and the bike is a medium. Other than the handle bar issue everything else seem great. I thought the saddle was a bit high on my last ride.

cooldad

How long is the bit of seatpost still in the seat tube?

nicklouse

Staffswolf wrote:

I just thought it maybe good to upgrade.

His bike is just the same frame size.

So would you say stem and bars only then?

So he has the same bike?

If not then size has nothing to do with anything.

And from your picture I would say that seat post is dangerously too far out.

bartimaeus

If you are going to play about with stems then try to borrow one - or get a cheap on, e.g. Carboncycles for <£14. At the moment their 60mm Meta II is out of stock so 70mm is the shortest on offer (they have the Meta F for £19). But as the others have said that set-up looks wrong.

paul.skibum

Medium bike and 6ft tall sounds like you might be just on a slightly too small bike - seatpost should have "minimum insertion" markings on it which should not be above the frame otherwise you are stressing the seat post and frame. A shorter stem and wider set of bars with perhaps a little rise on them might help you out.

I second the cheap stem idea for trial and error but a 60mm with say a 710-740mm 20mm riser bar wouldn't be a terrible starting point IMO.

Staffswolf

Minimum insert is 1/2" to 2" below where it is now.

I think shorter stem and some wider riser bars would do the trick.

Love the feel of the bike other than the handlebar distance.

What do you all recommend for upgrade?

I will buy a cheaper shorter stem to begin with but with regard to wider bars with a greater rise I could do with some help.

nicklouse

Staffswolf wrote:

Minimum insert is 1/2" to 2" below where it is now.

I think shorter stem and some wider riser bars would do the trick.

Love the feel of the bike other than the handlebar distance.

What do you all recommend for upgrade?

I will buy a cheaper shorter stem to begin with but with regard to wider bars with a greater rise I could do with some help.

Shorter stem AND wider bars will put you at the same point. The wider bars pull you forward.

One change at a time or you will never know where you are.