Could Do With A Few More Inches!

[woodbine]

I have a 30 year old British Eagle MTB. I am long in the leg, so have saddle up to it's limit - which is fine. However, the handlebar stem has very little adjustment, so with it on max height, it's still below seat level. When riding in a comfortable, reasonably upright position, I'm gripping the bars at fingertips.

I would like the bars higher by probably 2 or 3 inches, not much more. Can the experts have a look at my images and tell me what my options are. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Vantage]

This if it's the right size could do that. The 100mm (4") is it's max height I imagine so could give you the 3 inches you're after.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/stems/oxford-quill-stem-raiser-1-inch-222-mm-x-100-mm/

 

[Hugh Manatee]

That looks a pretty up right stem; something like the "swan neck" on my old Dawes I once had.

Could more modern (riser) bars be the answer?

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Thats what she said @Fnaar

 

[tyred]

Standard 1" headset and standard sized bars so it should be easily achieveable.

Something like this if you don't want to spend a fortune - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Bicycle-...320401?hash=item2ef36a3891:g:wf0AAOSwqfNXlRd5

The problem you will have when you replace the stem is that your stem appears to be the type that anchors the brake cable for the canti-lever brakes. You will also need a new hanger to get round this. Cheap ones are available to be fitted into the headset in place of the spacer washer but I'd cough up the extra for something like this which goes on the fork crown and is much stronger and more stable. You may find you brakes will work better than they do currently when fitting this - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Tektro-Canti...774323?hash=item360f96c9f3:g:y1sAAOSwUKxYZSTx

 

[tyred]

There are also extender sections available to rise a standard quill stem but they are ugly - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Oxford-HS599...541262?hash=item51f6d58c8e:g:rakAAOSw0UdXrvWC

Just be careful if you do buy a really long quill stem that it doesn't bottom out on the butted part of the steerer tube at the very bottom at the fork crown as the expander may not grip properly if this happens.

 

[raleighnut]

Swap the flat handlebars for 'riser' ones or is that too simple.

 

[bikingdad90]

If you have the seat post up to the max and the handlebars raised up but it is still not enough, is it possible the bike is too small for you?

 

[clockworksimon]

I got a Humpbert adjustable super long quill stem from SJS cycles for my Clockwork recently. Combined with riser bars this gives tons of scope for extra height. Cost about £15 earlier this year. Am very happy with this set up and helps with my dodgy back.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks for all of your replies, much appreciated. A few different options to consider.

Vantage - I have 75mm from the minimum insertion line stamped on the quill tube to the top where the securing allen bolt head is. Do you know how much extra height on the bars I can achieve with your quill stem riser suggestion?

Bikingdad90 - Bike is possibly a size too small, raising the bars a few inches will make it comfortable without the aggro of changing bikes.

clockworksimon - thanks for the humpbert suggestions. May go down that route.

 

[woodbine]

Standard 1" headset and standard sized bars so it should be easily achieveable.

Something like this if you don't want to spend a fortune - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Bicycle-...320401?hash=item2ef36a3891:g:wf0AAOSwqfNXlRd5

The problem you will have when you replace the stem is that your stem appears to be the type that anchors the brake cable for the canti-lever brakes. You will also need a new hanger to get round this. Cheap ones are available to be fitted into the headset in place of the spacer washer but I'd cough up the extra for something like this which goes on the fork crown and is much stronger and more stable. You may find you brakes will work better than they do currently when fitting this - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Tektro-Canti...774323?hash=item360f96c9f3:g:y1sAAOSwUKxYZSTx

Great suggestion for the wire hanger. I was considering getting something like the adjustable quill stem in the link below if I could get the right height. But the stumbling block was what to do with the brake cable that passes through my existing stem. Didn't realise that these hangers existed. May well but new quill stem and hanger on.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/262944011256...49&var=561949290771&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[woodbine]

That looks a pretty up right stem; something like the "swan neck" on my old Dawes I once had.

Could more modern (riser) bars be the answer?

I am also considering riser bars. I looked at these with a 60mm rise -

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/201919731096?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

However, my existing bars only have a very slight curve in them. The clamp that holds my bars in is the single bolt type. Would I get 60mm risers to pass through the clamp with the bends in the new bars?

 

[raleighnut]

I am also considering riser bars. I looked at these with a 60mm rise -

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/201919731096?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDXT

However, my existing bars only have a very slight curve in them. The clamp that holds my bars in is the single bolt type. Would I get 60mm risers to pass through the clamp with the bends in the new bars?

View attachment 352878

Yep, easy