Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Is it correct that you can't adjust handlebar height on my bike?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Is it correct that you can't adjust handlebar height on my bike?

Old 03-29-08, 02:00 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 349
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 10 Posts
Is it correct that you can't adjust handlebar height on my bike?

I have a early '90's hybrid made in Japan but with Raleigh name on it that seems to have a fixed height handle stem. I would have to replace it with a longer stem if I wanted it higher.

Is this how it was designed or is the 'wedge' rusted in place?
Raleigh71 is offline  
Old 03-29-08, 02:07 PM
  #2  
Bikaholic
 
blamp28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western, Michigan
Posts: 1,461

Bikes: Trek Fuel 90, Giant OCR, Rans Screamer Tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Photos would help. There are two possibilities in my mind and I would need more detail to make a suggestion.
blamp28 is offline  
Old 03-29-08, 02:38 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by Raleigh71
I have a early '90's hybrid made in Japan but with Raleigh name on it that seems to have a fixed height handle stem. I would have to replace it with a longer stem if I wanted it higher.

Is this how it was designed or is the 'wedge' rusted in place?
An early 90's Raleigh. That says "1 inch quill stem" to me.

The short answer is that the handlebar on your bike can be raised. Unfortunately, you are probably going to have to spend some money to do it.

In most cases raising the handlebar more than a fraction of an inch will require buying a Nitto Technomic stem that has a long shank. That'll allow you to safely raise your bars around 2 1/2 inches. You'll have to remove your existing stem, remove the shifter and brake lever from one side of the bar and install the bar into the new stem. There's a good chance that you'll have to install longer cables and housings too. If you brought that bike into the shop where I work, we'd charge you $80.00 to $100.00 for everything.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 03-29-08, 03:06 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
BCRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Posts: 5,556

Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 35 Posts
If there's a bolt head at the top of the stem shaft then I suspect the wedge is rusted in place. Try dribbling some penetrating oil down between the two. Or if the stem was not greased way back then it could be suffering from the aluminium to steel corrosion that takes place similarly to what happens in seat posts. Again some penetrating oil will help.

Try totally unscrewing the bolt in the stem shaft and lifting the upper stem out. If you can do that then see if you can screw the bolt into the wedge and with some tapping and prying break it free from the rust holding it. Just don't go all "gorrila" on it. If it won't come loose let the penetrating oil work overnight.
BCRider is offline  
Old 03-29-08, 10:19 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Cadfael's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 475
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch

In most cases raising the handlebar more than a fraction of an inch will require buying a Nitto Technomic stem that has a long shank. That'll allow you to safely raise your bars around 2 1/2 inches.
Can I just chip in with a word of thanks for that info? I was searching for something like this myself.
Cadfael is offline  
Old 04-15-08, 04:49 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
breadbin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: West of Ireland
Posts: 753

Bikes: Raleigh 531c, Marin Muirwoods, Brodie Romax

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
I'd agree with the photos idea. Is there a nut on top of the stem? If you can loosen this nut and bang it down with a mallet or something. Preferably with the penetrating oil overnight beforehand. I'm only speculating though. And i would go completely gorilla on it too but thats just me
breadbin is offline  
Old 04-15-08, 04:58 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Torchy McFlux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,438

Bikes: NOYB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
If the expanding wedge is rusted in place, it's sometimes easier to just remove the wedge bolt completely, flip the bike over, remove the front wheel, thread the wedge bolt back into the stuck wedge from the underside, and pound it out with a hammer. Soaking it with penetrating oil beforehand can definitely help.
Torchy McFlux is offline  
Old 04-15-08, 10:00 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
SweetLou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Besides the Nitto Technomic stem, you could use a stem extender or a stem with more rise.
SweetLou is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.