Bicycle Mechanics - Stem Raiser

Hi. I've just bought a Reebok Faith ladies mountain bike but after having cycled it I realised that the handle bars are too low. Could someone please tell me if I can raise them with a stem raiser. The stem and the bit that holds the handle bars seems to be all one piece. How do I get my handlebars raised? Do I need to buy a whole new stem + handlebars? I'm so confused, I only bought the bike to try to get fit and now I'm so uncomfortable on it I can't ride it. Someone please help.

If you bought the bike from a bike shop, just go there and have them help you.



If you have to figure it out by yourself, there are two kinds of stems - "threaded" and "threadless"

I found a photo of the bike, and although I can't tell for sure, it sounds like you have threaded. Threaded stems are generally shaped like the number "7". This is also known as a "quill stem". There is a shaft that goes into the bike's head tube and thereby controls the front fork and wheel for steering when it turns. The bent part of the stem attaches to the handle bars.

See if these two links help:

http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html#stem
http://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html#threaded


First step would be to see if the one you have can be raised - either by making it stick into the head tube less or, if it's adjustable, raising the angle of the part that attaches to the handlebars. It's hard to describe how to do it, but it's dead simple and if you bring it to a bike repair shop they could do it while you wait. IF they charge you for it, it would be negligable.

There is only so much you can raise a quill stem because they have "minimum insertion" lines for safety.

If that doesn't do it, you'll need to buy a new stem but they aren't super expensive. You'd want to get one that is longer in the vertical dimension so it would come up higher. You can also get one with a steeper angle which would also raise the bars.

Just to add to what Camilo said, you can also buy an adjustable stem, similiar to the stems found on hybrids today. When I buy a replacement stem I buy it at an LBS where they can measure the diameter of the handle bars and be sure the stem is correct for my handlebars.

Thankyou so much for helping me with my handlebar question. It was really enlightening. I'm going to take it to my local shop to see what they can do but at least I have a better idea what I'm talking about!! Thanks again

This is the first time I've been on this site and it's been great. You've really helped me to understand a bit more about my bike. As I'm sure you've guessed, I'm a complete novice but hey everyone's gotta start somewhere eh?! Thanks again.

Take the time and see if you can watch while they adjust your stem. It really is very simple and a novice can learn to raise and lower a quill stem.