Bicycle Mechanics - Xtralong handlebar stem for aerobar?

I purchased an aerobar for my road bike. But, being tall, my seat is about six inches higher than my handlebar. This makes the aerobar extremely uncomfortable.

Would it be appropriate to replace the current handlebar stem with a longer one so I could raise the handlebar? I've already tried raising the existing bar, and it's not long enough.

I want to make whatever adjustments are available to me so the aerobar is of the same height of the seat. The idea solution is a larger frame, no doubt, but I am trying to do what I can with what I've got.

Suggestions? Thanks!!!

I think you aare kidding yourself.Maybe dooable,but possibly dangerous or an adverse effect on handling.Sorry,but no shoving rainbows here.

Six inches? There are some stem extenders, but that would be extreme. Is it a quill stem or threadless? You can probably get a quill stem with a longer quill. Measure yours and then check the lengths on others that are available. I have put a quill extension on a cheapo bike with 7/8" quill. You might ask your LBS if such a thing is available for 1". There are also extensions for threadless setups, up to about 3". Whatever you do I don't think it will be advisable to go more than three inches. With the little extra height of the aero bars that might fix you up.

If your drop bars are already in a deep tuck position, then you wont be able to stretch further forward. Consider moving the aerobar closer to the saddle.

Triathaletes use aerobars, but their riding position is rotated forward about the bottom bracket, compared to a conventinal racing position. (tri bikes have a steep seat-tube and a short top tube to help achieve this).

You can emulate this by moving the saddle up and forward, and your aerobars backwards. This will relax your hip angle a bit, and put more weight onto the bars to help stabilise the steering. You will probably find that you dont need to raise the bars any more.

It wont cost you anything and is worth trying.

Thanks for the replies.
This site is a awesome source of info!

Another thing you could look into is the type of aerobars you have. I have Airstryke Profiles on my road bike, and another type of fixed pad, cheaper ones on my hybrid.

The cheaper ones mount differently on the bars and they are about an inch higher than the profiles. You might be able to gain a bit of height that way.