Riser Stem

[ByronBlack]

Hey all,

I've had a few fitting problems with my bike despite it feeling fine in the shop. I guess not being on a bike for so many years it's hard to tell how the bike will be when ridden.

So, first of all the seat was too low, so I raised this, but now it feels like i'm stretching too far to the handlebars and that they are a bit low - I get a lot of aches and pains in my wrists and hands, so I need to raise the bars.

I have a diamondback sorrento 08' (bought this weekend), it has a threadless stem and is currently as high as it will go (has all the spacers under the handlebar stem) - what are my best options here?

I could go for a riser stem and get another couple of inches of height, and a shorter handlebar stem to bring the bars a bit closer, or should I go for one of those adjustable stems:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ritchey_Adjustable_MTB_Stem/5360033931/

This will allow me to simultaneously bring the bars closer and higher by adjusting the stem upwards? (at the moment on the bike, the handlebar stem is quite long, and could do with being an inch or more closer).

I realise now that the bike frame is not the right fit for me, but in the shop it seemed fine and now I can't take it back and change it for a new bike as it's been ridden - I would appreciate some thought and help on the subject.

TIA,
BB

 

[spandex]

You can take it back to the shop as you where sold the wrong size bike it is just the same as if you was buying say a TV all your rights still stand. No part ex no nothing you where sold something that was not right if the bike shop is a good one it will change it for you. If not you will have to be a bit pushy but it is your money and if you wish it back you are entitled to it.

 

[ByronBlack]

Hi Spandex, thanks for the reply. I get what you are saying, but a few things concern me though;

If I go for a larger frame so I don't have to rise the seat so much, the handlebars might still be further away (I think I have shortish arms) than on a smaller frame, so maybe getting a riser or adjustable stem would be the best bet?

Also, he didn't have a great range of bikes in my budget, the only other than I liked was a GT Paloma which had a lesser component set, otherwise I would have to extend my budget.

Secondly, he refused to let me test ride the bike citing theft and the fact that once it's ridden he can't sell it as a new item as a reason - I know that is quite unreasonable, but generally the service is good from the shop, and it's pretty much the only bike shop local to me..

So long story short is, that I'm concerned that i'll have the same issue with another bike and have to end up arguing with the guy, when all it might need is a handlebar adjustment?

I'm new to all this cycling malarky so I just want to make it as easy as possible - and if I get into it more, then I can save some pennies and buy a better bike down the line..

 

[spandex]

Ok I can see where you are coming from a lot of shops do not do test rides as for selling a bike as new that is a load of s**t. But at the end of the day He sold you a bike that by the sounds of it is the wrong size HE HAS TO CHANGE IT FOR YOU if you ask him to. As for the reach all the bike shops I know will happily change some bits if needed.

 

[Randochap]

OK.

Please take what I'm going to say in the spirit it's meant -- as help.

First, what kind of a shop doesn't let customers test-ride their bikes?
Second, what kind of customer buys a bicycle from a shop that won't let them test the bikes?

Answers: a: A shop soon to fail. b: An inexperienced, reticent person.

As a lifelong cyclist and long-time bicycle shop worker, I can tell you that there is no shop I've ever worked at or presently know of that refuses test-rides, nor would I ever buy a bicycle I hadn't tested.

Now, for the bike in question: I can't see you in relation to the bike but I can see from the photo that it is a mountain bike and the saddle looks to be set far too low for a MTB. Yes, this gets the saddle closer in height to the bars, but it also would indicate that the frame is far too big.

One generally chooses a frame on the small side for a MTB, because they are ridden on uneven ground and men in particular treasure their treasures.
In other words, riding on uneven ground requires more standover clearance (2 or more inches) than is desirable on a road bike. That will usually result in around 6" of seatpost showing.

Have you searched the site for bike fit advice? That is pretty much a constant w/ all bikes. It is just achieved differently on road vs MTB.

How much standover do you have on this frame?

If the shop has misdirected you and sold you an inappropriate bike, take it back.

It sounds like you are thinking you need a larger bike, when, from what I can see, it looks like you need a smaller bike. However, you haven't provided enough info to make a definite assessment.

Again, I'm surprised no one has asked for the info needed to make that assessment.

 

[youngoldbloke]

It sounds like you are thinking you need a larger bike, when, from what I can see, it looks like you need a smaller bike.

+1

 

[spandex]

It looks like a 16" frame and with the seat set at that hight you must be around 5.6? with an inside leg of 28" - 29" ?

 

[ByronBlack]

Hey chaps,

The shop in question has been trading for 30+ years hence why I went there, as for someone buying a bike without riding it - you may be right, but my choices are limited. (The LBS or decathlon/halfords) and decathlon wouldn't let me test the bike out either - apart from a 10 yard pedal in the store. So I thought it best to test out the bike at the LBS given their good reputation and long standing.

As for the picture - that's a little misleading I'm afraid, I've since increased the height of the seat to a few inches above the handlebars as it was too low as you see it in the picture.

When I stand over the frame I have just over 1" clearance - I fear if I have a smaller frame still, the seat post would be extremely high. Where the saddle is in the picture, when I peddle, my leg is still quite bent and I can't get a full stretch of the leg as I peddle, but I do now that the seat is higher (my knee is only slightly bent when my foot on the pedal is at the lowest position).

I'm 5,9 with an inside leg of 29 - I have a longish body, but I feel my arms aren't especially long as I struggle to comfortably reach the bars without excessive leaning - I prefer a more upright seating position for general cruising.

I understand everything that you are all saying about the LBS, but I like the bike, it's just this one adjustment issue and if a new stem can sort the problem then I don't see any further need to make a big thing out of it.

I'm going to call the shop today to see if they can sort this with a new stem - or if not, a replacement bike.

 

[MacB]

you could always try some sort of swept back trekking handlebars, Nitto? maybe

 

[ByronBlack]

Hi MacBludgeon - I've not heard of those, but i'll take a look. I have noticed that the bars on my bike don't sweep up too much, whereas I've seen some that have a more pronounced sweep - which might be an alternative to a new stem as this would bring them up higher.

Here's a pic of the adjusted saddle:

It's only a little bit higher than the bars now that I've measured it, so it looks like I need a small amount of adjustment to bring the bars to a more comfortable position. I spoke to the guy from the LBS today, and he assured that if I take it down they'll order a new stem to make it right, however, I'll probably just order from wiggles as they have a better range and a quicker delivery.

 

[MacB]

good point, I went with an adjustable stem and glad I did.

 

[Randochap]

From the description of the OP's fit/position problems/desires it is apparent that he needs a "comfort" bike, not a MTB.

You can lead a horse to water ...

 

[Sittingduck]

Hi Byron

Looking at the latter pic, I would say that the frame is probably the correct size. Stem looks a bit long though, so I think a shorter and or adjustable one will do the trick nicely!

Regards,
SD

 

[ByronBlack]

Thank you Sittingduck - an adjustable stem is on it's way so I'm looking foward to fitting it and getting cycling.

Randochap - do you make a habit of being obnoxious to new members? Your post is condescending and not at all helpful. You presume to know more about my requirements and use of a bike than myself. I'm not after a comfort bike, I require a MTB because I want to use it both on and off-road, I however do want the position and fit of the bike to be optimal. Not all of us are a cycling god such as yourself and have to make due with less than perfect solutions.

 

[montage]

Could get a shorter stem? This would bring the bars closer to you. Could possibly move saddle forward a little if this doesn't upset your pedalling?

Just a few ideas.