Bicycle Mechanics - Raising the bars on a mountain bike

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bigbossman
12-28-06, 05:27 PM
I recently came into a 2003 Giant Yukon for a very good price. The bike is like-new, and functions very well. The frame is a 17", and to get a correct fit on the seat to pedals distance for my legs, the saddle ends up being an inch or so higher than the handlebars. I'd prefer to have my hands a bit higher, as I'll be using the bike primarily for fire road jaunts with the wife and daughter.

So, being new to this whole threadless headset thing, I assume I have four reasonable options:

1) add spacers under the stem, if possible
2) get a stem with a steeper angled rise
3) get a handlebar with more upward bend
4) some combination of the first three

Did I miss anything? What would be the best bet/most cost effective? For option #1, how much steerer tube is enough for the stem to clamp on to?

I_bRAD
12-28-06, 05:35 PM
Forget option one unless there are spacers on top of your stem already

Best option is a new stem- you can get one for cheap from the discount bin at your LBS
bigbossman
12-28-06, 06:02 PM
Forget option one unless there are spacers on top of your stem already

Cool - thanks. My spacers are all under the stem, so I figured I was SOL for that option. I'll go looking for a stem!!

phoebeisis
12-28-06, 07:34 PM
You can get a stem extension. They can give you up to 3-3.5" of rise. They cost maybe $15 new.
They aren't really stem extensions; they extend the steering tube and allow you to mount your stem higher.
Luck,
Charlie
Sheldon Brown
12-28-06, 08:11 PM
I recently came into a 2003 Giant Yukon for a very good price. The bike is like-new, and functions very well. The frame is a 17", and to get a correct fit on the seat to pedals distance for my legs, the saddle ends up being an inch or so higher than the handlebars. I'd prefer to have my hands a bit higher, as I'll be using the bike primarily for fire road jaunts with the wife and daughter.

See: http://sheldonbrown.com/handsup

Sheldon "Comfort Counts" Brown