Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Silly Idea: Quick adjust handlebar height

I use bullhorns and sometimes have the hairbrained idea that it would be nice if I could adjust their height quickly and without tools, even while riding, like when turning into a very stiff headwind or for a very high position for a casual cruise.

Something like a lever than can be pulled by both hands while at center most position of top of bars, that releases ratchet so the linearly adjustable vertical part of the stem (inside the steerer) can be slid up and down, say with 4" or so of travel. It would be keyed so no rotation would be possible.

Obvious cons: Accidental release, added weight, added complexity, potential lost stiffness

And yes standard drop bars 'solve' this need without any added complexity.

Sure its easy to argue why a silly idea, but I wanted to share anyway. Maybe its even been tried, but I couldn't find anything with a quick internet search.

Al

hmmmmmmmmmm It's amazing something so simple hasn't been though of before and posted about right here.

I have this freakish idea involving a 9/8" threadless setup, a seat collar to hold the headset at the proper tension, some kind of QR on the stem, and an old hite-rite.

Get it out of my head, please.

Sure its easy to argue why a silly idea, but I wanted to share anyway.


I don't think its a silly idea at all. In fact, its pretty good. I'd like to be able to do that on my bullhorned fix.

sketchy at best IMHO, too many chances for something to slip in one of the most undesireable places to have something slip

just do what some tourers do, put a set of drops or bull horns close to the headset, and put another set of bars higher up.

Mod a Softride stem.

http://www.63xc.com/cgarr/soft350.jpg

this is a good time to remind everyone that when they adjust their stem/handlebars, make sure you tighten them, unlike me.

I have this freakish idea involving a 9/8" threadless setup, a seat collar to hold the headset at the proper tension, some kind of QR on the stem, and an old hite-rite.

Get it out of my head, please.

'9/8" threadless'... I think I'll start using that.

In a similar vein, why not replace the normal seat collar with a QR seat collar? Instant, on the fly headset adjustment! ;)

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=249435

somebody had to do it.

No offense, but running bullhorns and complaining about lack of different positions is like riding FG and complaining about not being able to coast or shift.

No offense, but running bullhorns and complaining about lack of different positions is like riding FG and complaining about not being able to coast or shift.
Who is complaining?
Al

Just because it's a bad idea is really no reason not to try it. That's how people learn without the luxury of internet forums.

This kind of reminds me of the time I tried to make a 54cm frame fit me when I need a 60 cm. It involved a long stem and a pair of hi rise bmx bars installed horizontally. It was so stupid. However it did force me to think for myself and ride a whole season where the easiest 'right' choice would have been to get a proper frame, which involved no personal creativity and cost money.

So anyway, there's more than one way to do things. I'd rather hear from someone who was running fixed gear and complaining about not being able to coast or shift and actually tried to do something about it, rather than someone who was told it was impossible and accepted it and gave up.

I use bullhorns and sometimes have the hairbrained idea that it would be nice if I could adjust their height quickly and without tools, even while riding, like when turning into a very stiff headwind or for a very high position for a casual cruise.

Something like a lever than can be pulled by both hands while at center most position of top of bars, that releases ratchet so the linearly adjustable vertical part of the stem (inside the steerer) can be slid up and down, say with 4" or so of travel. It would be keyed so no rotation would be possible.

Obvious cons: Accidental release, added weight, added complexity, potential lost stiffness

And yes standard drop bars 'solve' this need without any added complexity.

Sure its easy to argue why a silly idea, but I wanted to share anyway. Maybe its even been tried, but I couldn't find anything with a quick internet search.

Al

how about something that works like a pneumatic office chair. pull the lever and let the bars rise slowly, or push down to lower them. a few carefully placed speed holes® and you're in business.