Bicycle Mechanics - MTB - Changed handlebar, tires and fork !

I have a Jamis Ranger 1.0 MTB. I am 6 ft tall, and the bike is 21". Still the handle bar that I had was probably too low and was KILLING my back. After riding around 30-45 minutes, my back would start severly hurting. Due to that before I got tired by bicycling, I had to take a break.

I went to a different LBS had a brief conversation with him and showed him my bike. He gave me different handle bars (around 4" higher). Changed the fork, and replaced the thick mountain bike tires with thinner tires (dont quite know the brand, but cost 34 bucks each and takes 85 psi).

The fork that was originally there was with shocks that came with the bike. Replaced it with solid fork with no shocks.

And today I rode the bike for 2 hours, and drained the juice out of me, but my back didn't hurt at all !!

Just wanted to share this and see what people have to say about it :D

When he coulda just sold you a stem with a higher rise. Your LBS guy is a genious.

yea, you could've got a new stem for much cheaper.

But if that makes you happy, than that's good.

yea, you could've got a new stem for much cheaper.

But if that makes you happy, than that's good.

Changing it to any stem, isn't gonna give you the amount of lift that a 4" bar is gonna provide. Also, if he rides strictly on road, the slicks and the rigid fork are a great investment.

I would have sold him an adjustable stem. I have much to learn. :)

When he coulda just sold you a stem with a higher rise. Your LBS guy is a genious.

Lets see:

1. Listened to the customer - check.
2. Recommended mods to the customer's new bike that better suit his riding style and purpose - check.
3. Ultimately eliminated the customer's backaches - check.

Yeah, I think that he's a genius too.

I think your new LBS gave you good service. They listened to what you wanted, saw how to get there from what you had and made changes that worked. Based on the changes, I think you told him more than you have told us. The rigid fork and the change of tires tells me you must have told him that you planned to ride the bike on roads or paths and not on rough offroad trails.
The new bars probably brought your hands up more than a stem change would have done and I bet they also have more rearward sweep than the old bars.
Enjoy your new old bike!

When he coulda just sold you a stem with a higher rise. Your LBS guy is a genious.

Maybe we already had a stem with maximum rise in place.

When he coulda just sold you a stem with a higher rise. Your LBS guy is a genious. I'm not sure how cheap a new stem is but I'm happy with my 5" rise handlebars for $9. The slight tilt back at the grips made my wrist happy also. If I start to ride more on pavement then I may change to 1.2 slicks also.

.http://i14.tinypic.com/6ew4dio.jpg

Based on the changes, I think you told him more than you have told us. The rigid fork and the change of tires tells me you must have told him that you planned to ride the bike on roads or paths and not on rough offroad trails.
The new bars probably brought your hands up more than a stem change would have done and I bet they also have more rearward sweep than the old bars.

Yes. My bad. I forgot to mention that I ride the bike pretty much always on roads. I haven't ridden on off-road trails. And after doing lot of research on this forum and else where, I asked his opinion on changing the fork and tires. So over all I dont think I got cheated there :D