Bicycle Mechanics - noob headset question

I have a Specialized Allez Elite road bike. It has a stem that you are supposed to be able to change around and be able to get a 16 degree rise and an 8 degree rise, and I suppose the inversion of those if I want to go really low with the bars. Does anyone know if this is an easy enough change for a beginner to make? I'm not much of a bicycle mechanic, but I'm willing to try if it's not too complex. I just hate to take my bike to the LBS, wait for them to make the adjustment only to find out that I want to change it back or try yet another position.

Thanks.

i would say this is a really easy modification for a beginner as long as you have the right sized allen keys. all you have to do is take off the handle bars by unscrewing the two bolts holding them in (number one in the diagram).
next unscrew the cap that is holding the stem to the fork.
next loosen the bolts that tighten the stem to the fork (number 2 in the diagram).
slide the stem off and flip it.
now put the cap back on and tighten it until there is no more play in the fork.
next tighten the bolts that hold the stem to the fork (number 2).
and then replace your handlebars and tighten those bolts (number 1).
i hope this makes sense. it sounds harder than it is. im sure there is somebody with a website that can probibly do a better job than me but im in a typing mood.:D

MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT THE FORK!!! It will most likely fall out if you don't, along with half your headset innards!

Use METRIC hex (Allen) keys. Don't try to use SAE tools on a bike. Everything is metric except: headset size and pedal spindles.

Thanks guys! Seems easy enough. I think I'll give it a go.

RobotSonic, thanks for the diagram! It's worth a thousand words!

MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT THE FORK!!! It will most likely fall out if you don't, along with half your headset innards!

a very good point that i forgot. this wasnt an issue for me because i didnt have it in a repair stand.


RobotSonic, thanks for the diagram! It's worth a thousand words!

i figured it would help because text alone can make a simple task overwhelming at times.
good luck with the flipping of the stem.

In case you haven't done it yet and assuming you have the stock 4-position stem, the 8 to 16 deg change is acheived by changing the position of a wedge-shaped washer under the stem. Rotate the thicker end to the front to get 16 deg or the thin edge to the front for only 8. Of course for a larger change you can flip the stem and then rotate the washer as needed. Make sure to check that your bars are level when tightening the stem up, if the washer isn't centered the bars might end up tilted.

I have the same type of stem on my Allez Comp, it seems pretty cool.

Dave

You do not have to take off the bars unless you are going with negative rise. To go from +8 degrees to +16 degrees (or vise versa) just remove the headset cap and stem. Then reverse the shim (if thats what its called) 180 degrees, re-assemble.

You will have to adjust the bars to get the correct reach to the hoods.

Hope this helps,

ehenz