General Cycling Discussion - Raising Handle Bars on my 2008 Giant Rincon Mountain Bike

I have done alot of riding on this bike over the past years. Even with me being big, I have managed to do many trails in the area.. With that said, I have started riding on the road.. Yes, Road riding with my Mountainbike :) Well I really enjoy it but it's much different.. I have replace my knobbies with semi-slick tires in as I have been doing the Eastern Trail.. Now that I am building myself up to longer rides vs trail riding, My hands are very uncomfortable.. I have put the special handle grips and it's helped some.. Does anyone here know what I can do to raise my handle bars? On the 08 Rincon will they go up any higher? Please any help would be greatly appreciated... I can't afford a road bike nor will a roadbike support me... .. I went from 375 to 320 and feeling great but for now I want to stay with my bike.... Thanks for listening and happy riding:)

A lot of bike shops sell stemrisers, or you can order one from many online suppliers.
Or you can change flat bars for something like the Bullmoose style.

What type of stem is on the '08 Rincon? (quill or threadless?) I use an adjustable stem on my '98 Giant Iguana to get the bars up where I am more comfortable, I also use butterfly/trekking bars.

Aaron :)

Up angled stem.. stem riser.. I like Trekking bars..

I bought my GT Xizang mountain bike new in 1995, when I was in my 40s. Well, now I'm age 64 and for the past year or so, my riding style has changed to more closely correspond to my changing body. Like you, I'm riding on good touring tires on pavement or improved surfaces these days.

I changed out the stem with a high quality Thomson riser stem. I replaced the flat bars with an Easton carbon riser bar, and added good Ergon grips http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/GR298A09-Ergon+Gr2+Carbon+Super+Light+Grip.aspx

I still need to get a bit more upright stance, but it's a beginning. By the way, I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.

You figure out how to get a little more upright, let me know.

I bought my GT Xizang mountain bike new in 1995, when I was in my 40s. Well, now I'm age 64 and for the past year or so, my riding style has changed to more closely correspond to my changing body. Like you, I'm riding on good touring tires on pavement or improved surfaces these days.

I changed out the stem with a high quality Thomson riser stem. I replaced the flat bars with an Easton carbon riser bar, and added good Ergon grips http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/GR298A09-Ergon+Gr2+Carbon+Super+Light+Grip.aspx

I still need to get a bit more upright stance, but it's a beginning. By the way, I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.

You figure out how to get a little more upright, let me know.

Different bike? Some bikes you aren't going to be able to get as upright as you want, especially when you are tall. I am 6'-2" with long arms and legs. Below is a picture of my most upright bike and I do sit completely upright on it. FWIW those handle bars are over 48" off the ground :D

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/18948/2253513710066886751S600x600Q85.jpg

See, If I get a 2-3 inch riser I will be fine... Best way to explain is when I am riding, My palm of the hand is on the handle grips... That's when I get sore hands while riding.... But when I put the tip of my fingers on the grips, I'm fine because the pressure on my hands isn't as bad.... In fact very comfortable....

Here is my bike if this helps??

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2008/Rincon-Anthracite-Black.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/&h=434&w=700&sz=67&tbnid=sfu9g4u4Ihik2M:&tbnh=87&tbnw=140&prev=/search%3Fq%3D08%2BGiant%2BRincon%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=08+Giant+Rincon&usg=__h3RCL2P3nxIUOWEara9hR9zvKJc=&sa=X&ei=vTfeTaakIMbZ0QGm6O3OCg&ved=0CEMQ9QEwBA

Here is my bike if this helps??

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2008/Rincon-Anthracite-Black.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/&h=434&w=700&sz=67&tbnid=sfu9g4u4Ihik2M:&tbnh=87&tbnw=140&prev=/search%3Fq%3D08%2BGiant%2BRincon%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=08+Giant+Rincon&usg=__h3RCL2P3nxIUOWEara9hR9zvKJc=&sa=X&ei=vTfeTaakIMbZ0QGm6O3OCg&ved=0CEMQ9QEwBA

Okay, go down to your local bike shop(s) and look at their merchandise. See what kinds of riser bars and riser stems they have available. You ought to be able to get at least a couple inches upward with just common risers. If you need more, then see what they have to give you a bit more extreme rise.

As for weight on the palms of the hands, and numbness that follows: Yeah, same thing happens to us all. Comes from too much upper body weight placed on the bars. That's why you need to shift the weight back some, isn't it?

Thanks soo much for the advice... I will be taking my bike for them to look at it in the next few days... All I really need is 2" or so...Doesn't seem like alot but as I explained above it should help.. Funny you mention numb hands... I got some ergonomic or whatever handlebar grips and that helped with most of the numbness...My hands get uncomfortable sore..

Yeah, on longer rides, my wrists get sore, my hands get numb, and my elbows get stiff and sore. I'm starting to feel like an old geezer. But the Ergon grips with built-in carbon bar ends made a huge improvement. I wouldn't be able to stand a 30 or 40 mile ride without the Ergon grips and the riser bars.

Yesterday, I was noticing that without padded riding shorts, my good Brooks Pro saddle was grinding deep into my underside. The nose on the leather saddle tends to grind deep into the roots of my penis causing intense pain. So I'm finding that wearing the padded riding shorts is imperative as well.

Let me said... I got a adjustable riser put on and OMG!! What a difference.. As I suspected, I have it about 3 inches higher then my old bar and the difference is night and day... I couldn't make a full ride today because the threat of severe weather.. Had tornado warnings and all.. But I rode about 6 miles before I heard thunder and It felt really really good.... Thanks for the help everyone!!