Raising height of bars

[livpoksoc]

I recently raised my saddle as I noticed my legs were far from full extension at the bottom of rotation, but in doing so I feel I'm reaching for my bars a bit too much.

Is there a way to raise the bars without buying a new fork/stem etc. with just spacers, or am I stuck with it?

The bike itself is a touch too small for me, but I was happy with that size when I bought it as I got a decent amount knocked off as I was paying cash that day. I'm starting to wonder though if I made a mistake and should consider upgrading next year to something a bit bigger. In the interim, is it possible to raise the bars up higher along with what I have done with the saddle?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Is there a way to raise the bars without buying a new fork/stem etc. with just spacers, or am I stuck with it?

Depends how much steerer, (if any), there is above the stem TBH. If none then your options are limited,

You can try simply rotating the bars slightly upwards, this will bring them marginally closer, or you could try flipping the stem through 180 degrees, this will raise them and also bring them slightly closer. Neither is ideal on a bike that's ultimately the wrong size, but one or the other, (or both), may help resolve things until you can sort out something more suitable.

I noticed my legs were far from full extension at the bottom of rotation?

FYI your legs should not be fully extended at the bottom of rotation, there should always be a small amount of bend. THIS site may help you with some basic bike fit tips and tricks.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Unless you have spacers on top of the stem which you can reposition underneath the only way is a new stem with a more upright angle. BTW, your legs should not be fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke but have a noticeable bend at the knee. Without a picture it is impossible to tell if your seat height is correct but there are loads of illustrations showing correct positioning if you google it.

EDIT: Smokeysmoo beat me to it.

 

[Pauluk]

You can also buy adjustable stems that will raise the handle bar if you need to.

Also check that your knee is in the correct position relative to your pedals. It may be that now you've raised your seat you need to pull it forward a little. There are lots of youtube videos that will show you how to set your bike up.

 

[livpoksoc]

Thanks chaps, I raised the saddle as my knees were far from extended, I have it set now so it's about 90% extended.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Although they are not attractive, another option for A Head bikes is a stem riser. Many on eBay / Amazon for appx. £10

 

[Cyclist33]

Move the saddle forward.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Note that with adjustable stems, they may not stay fixed in the same position forever. I used an adjustable stem for months but found that it started slipping, i.e. the angle of the stem started changing. One way you can raise the handlebars is by getting a 35° angled stem.

 

[Kestevan]

Check if your stem is already flipped so it points upwards.
If not, simply remove, and turn the stem over, that should give you a small increase.

 

[livpoksoc]

So I just flipper my stem & lowered the saddle slightly, only problem is that I am worried that since I put all the bolts back on, there appears to be a rattle somewhere between the top of the forks up to the stem that I can't be certain wasn't there before. I've taken her for a little lap of our car park and I don't know if I'm being paranoid or not but it doesn't feel 100% stable in the steering. I literally touched 7 bolts (4 x front of stem, 2 x side of stem & 1 x top of stem), I didn't touch the spacers at all & was trying to be meticulous in lining the stem up with the front wheel, but I wasn't using a stand.

I've attached a couple of photos if anyone can offer some guidance?

I've got to be out on the bike this weekend but will have something in the back of my mind that the bars may come off in some comical fashion.

 

[RebornBumbler]

My guess is that the cable now running across the front of the stem plate is rattling.

Nothing should come loose unless - you forgot to tighten something
(If in doubt, slacken them all off again, and repeat the procedure - plenty of vids on YouTube)

 

[livpoksoc]

My guess is that the cable now running across the front of the stem plate is rattling.

Nothing should come loose unless - you forgot to tighten something
(If in doubt, slacken them all off again, and repeat the procedure - plenty of vids on YouTube)

Just looking at the photos, does that cap look loose?

the rattle is definitely not the cable, it sounds like the forks/tubes

 

[Kestevan]

Sounds like you haven't taken all the play out of the headset.
Slacken off the top cap bolt.
Undo the stem bolts so you can spin the stem.
Tighten up the top bolt - not massively tight, but it should pull the headset spacers/stem/forks together. You may need to wiggle the forks a little to get everything seated correctly. There should be enough tension in the headset so that with the front brake on you cant feel a rocking movement in the headset when you push against the bars. If the steering has gone "notchy" or very stiff you've put too much pressure on.

When you've taken all the play out then nip up the stem bolts to hold everything in place. That shoul d remove the rattle and make the steering feel normal again.


EDIT - just noticed from the photos that the top cap plate looks to be sat directly on top of the steerer tube. The Top cap should sit on a spacer (or the top of the stem) slightly above the steerer. If it's just resting on the steerer tube you wont be able to tighten the pre-load enough to remove the play in the system.

 

[livpoksoc]

The stem had no spacers above before I flipped it, but thanks, I think it is that I have put it back together in the wrong order, so I'll do it in the am before I set off.

Is the cap of to sit flush on top of the stem, as it does look like it's sat above the stem at the moment

 

[Broadside]

The stem had no spacers above before I flipped it, but thanks, I think it is that I have put it back together in the wrong order, so I'll do it in the am before I set off.

Is the cap of to sit flush on top of the stem, as it does look like it's sat above the stem at the moment

You need a spacer above that stem. The top cap must not sit on top of the steerer, it needs to rest on the stem before pre-load or in your case on a spacer on top of the stem.