New bars/stem needed?

[ScotiaLass]

I've always felt a little bit stretched on my MTB, a Specialized Myka Sports Disc.
I haven't ridden it for a month or so, as I've been riding my hybrid.
I took the MTB out tonight and I hated every minute of that ride! In fact I didn't even make it to the trails and only did 3.5 miles on it before turning around and heading home.

I have arthritis in my neck and have a bad shoulder. I don't know whether me not riding the MTB for a while has caused most of the issues, but it's been suggested that I get a shorter stem and (possibly) riser, plus different bars.
I don't ride it like I should, so it gets light use on towpaths and trails. No real technical stuff.

So here's what the spec says about my bike - I haven't a clue what to look for, so could some kind soul point me in the direction of what I need to get the bars closer to me and slightly higher up?
If this doesn't work I'll be selling it!

Bars:
Specialised Flat Bar
640mm/666mm wide
8 degree backstop
4 degree upsweep
25.4 mm

Stem:
4 bolt clamp
10 degree rise
25.4mm

 

[mr messy]

I've always felt a little bit stretched on my MTB, a Specialized Myka Sports Disc.
I haven't ridden it for a month or so, as I've been riding my hybrid.
I took the MTB out tonight and I hated every minute of that ride! In fact I didn't even make it to the trails and only did 3.5 miles on it before turning around and heading home.

I have arthritis in my neck and have a bad shoulder. I don't know whether me not riding the MTB for a while has caused most of the issues, but it's been suggested that I get a shorter stem and (possibly) riser, plus different bars.
I don't ride it like I should, so it gets light use on towpaths and trails. No real technical stuff.

So here's what the spec says about my bike - I haven't a clue what to look for, so could some kind soul point me in the direction of what I need to get the bars closer to me and slightly higher up?
If this doesn't work I'll be selling it!

Bars:
Specialised Flat Bar
640mm/666mm wide
8 degree backstop
4 degree upsweep
25.4 mm

Stem:
4 bolt clamp
10 degree rise
25.4mm

You need to measure stem length too. An adjustable stem could be an option

 

[stephec]

Have you tried rotating the bars in the stem so that the grips are as close to you as possible?

As mr messy says, measure from the centre of the bolt in the top cap to the centre of the clamp round your bars, and let us know what the stem length is in mm's.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Get a dropper seat post, it makes a world of difference on a bumpy trail ride, look at a nice comfy gel saddle as well.

 

[Cyclist33]

Have you tried rotating the bars in the stem so that the grips are as close to you as possible?

As mr messy says, measure from the centre of the bolt in the top cap to the centre of the clamp round your bars, and let us know what the stem length is in mm's.

Surely in this case it doesn't matter what the current stem length is in terms of providing advice?

If it feels too long, get a shorter one?

 

[Cyclist33]

Get a dropper seat post, it makes a world of difference on a bumpy trail ride, look at a nice comfy gel saddle as well.

How is that going to help an arthritic neck and shoulders??

 

[stephec]

Surely in this case it doesn't matter what the current stem length is in terms of providing advice?

If it feels too long, get a shorter one?

What if she's already got a 40mm on there?

 

[Cyclist33]

What if she's already got a 40mm on there?

That will not be the case. As well you know. It's a stock build and they never have stems as short as that on stock spec.

 

[mr messy]

Something along lines of this...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-adjustable-road-stem/

 

[ScotiaLass]

Does this help?

 

[stephec]

Looks to be about 60mm so you probably can't go a lot shorter.

Maybe something like Mr messy's picture above might do it.

You're friendly with your lbs aren't you?

Would they rummage around in their workshop odds and sods box and see if they've got anything you could try?

 

[Cyclist33]

Does this help?

View attachment 97537

Can't you measure it?? I know I said it was meaningless but if you are going to post a photo for people's reference then you might as well measure it so that those who want to give advice know what they're giving advice based on

Personally I think you should stop worrying and let your body adapt to what you've got.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I think it's 80mm (if I've measured correctly).
I would 'stop worrying' but I was in awful pain today and have only just got rid of the spasms in my shoulders.

 

[Cyclist33]

I think it's 80mm (if I've measured correctly).
I would 'stop worrying' but I was in awful pain today and have only just got rid of the spasms in my shoulders.

Good, if it's 80 then you've got headroom to go to 60.

Of course it does depend if your arthritis is exacerbated by being hunched or stretched. It may actually turn out that your current stem is too short. I think @Doobiesis had an issue and after a bike fit went for a longer setup which solved the problem.

The whole "sporteeve geometry"/relaxed upright concept is flawed if your anatomy needs a longer setup.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

This could be a dumb idea - I have them frequently - but is it possible to measure a few distances on the hybrid and compare with the mtb? saddle to bars, handlebar from the ground, etc, might give you some idea of your options. If dumb, please ignore.