Mountain Biking - Swap stem or bars?

I'm a newbie, recently picked up a trek 4300 (link: pic) (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4300.jsp) for commutes (slicks) and some light trail riding.

Though I'm very happy with the bike overall, the one thing I'd like to change is the ride position - it's quite high as you can see above. Yeah, I know it's designed as a Rec bike, but I really couldn't afford to spend any more, so this is what I have :) So to help improve my speed and positioning I'd like to change.

I'd like to swap out either the bars, or the stem, or both and would like some advice on that. Can I do it relatively cheaply, and is it fairly simple to do myself? Can you recommend replacement parts that won't break the bank? Which should I do first (thinking to swap the stem and then may go for the straight bars if needed afterwards). Comments and suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,
Al.


HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Sport, 25mm rise
STEM: Bontrager, 25 degree

Google found me these pages to have a look at.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/stem.htm
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/hndlebar.htm

Keep your riser bars, start with swapping out your stem.

Here's a cheap one to drop from a 25 degree rise to a 15: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11792-305_ICODC3-3-Parts-72-Stems/Icon-DC-Threadless-Stem-.htm

Here's one in a 5 degree and three available lengths. I'd buy this one in two different lengths and experiment: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13056-305_AZOOR4-3-Parts-72-Stems/Azonic-Ors-Stem.htm

Heck, I'd buy all three, then the ones you don't like, sell/give to a friend or stick them on ebay, or just put them in your spare parts bin for future bikes.

L8R

you might be able to flip your stem. basically, you loosen your stem binder bolts (the ones that clamp onto the fork) take off the the top cap (the little aluminum disc that sits on top of the steerer tube. flip the stem, tighten down that top cap until there isn't any more play in the headset, THEN tighten the stem binder bolts. simple, really.

I'm looking to change my riding postion as well. I was thinking of the RaceFace prodigy stem, 0 degree rise. My seating position is similar to the 4300 (820). I was also thinking about flipping the stem for a nice cheap solution.

Flipping a 25 degree stem would drop the handlebars below the top tube and unless you've got Gorilla arms (Chris L) you won't be able to ride!

As far as new stems, I would recommend a 5 degree rise in lieu of a 0 degree stem. That way, you have a bit of versatility and a 10 degree Delta when you flip it. With a 0 degree, it's 0 degrees whichever way it's mounted.

L8R

If your bike is set up like the photo, there's quite a bit of extra steerer tube under the stem. Why not save your money and start by putting the stem below the spacers? It looks like you'll get an inch to an inch and a half this way. All at no charge.

Hi guys.

I followed supcoms advice and got myself just about 1.5 inches, much better!

But I'm still considering putting one of the spacers under the stem and flipping it to get even lower.

Thanks for your help guys.
Al.

Flipping the stem, and moving the spacers out of underneath has really made a huge difference.

My concern now is that I bought a frame (18") that's a little too big for me (5'7), as I find this position much better with the negative rise, but I'm not sure how much lower I can go if I do want to drop it more in future.

In any case I'm happy with the ride currently :)