Raleigh Twenty Handlebar height
 

While I'm waiting for my frame to return from media blasting and my fork (special order for EZ-Sport Recumbent fork) to come in, I am weighing my options in getting road handlebars to a reasonable/comfortable height.

As of now I have come up with the following options:


A. Weld and extension on the fork and use as really long threadless (see Sheldon's Twenty)

B. Use a really long stem

C. Use a really long stem riser/quill adaptor with a standard threadless stem

D. Use a standard length quill to threadless adaptor with a SWB (recumbent) Steering Riser clamped to it.

Does anyone have any feedback on these options? (or additional options?)

Here what i have done on my Twenty.

It is working great but other solutions are interesting too. I'd like to see if the last one would be alright on a regular bike (i have used it a lot on my homebuilt recumbent.

I've looked at this option quite a bit, but I'm not sure if it would work with the amount of steerer tube that would peek over the headset if I chose to keep it threadless... (I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to do this with a welded on extension to my steerer).

Unfortunately I haven't handled this part in person, so its kind of hard to tell, although it looks very similar to the extended steerer/stem that Bike Friday uses on its Air Friday and Pocket Rocket.

My only worry is that as this part is meant for a recumbent it may not be strong enough to lean my body weight on (as it really wasn't designed for that)...

I am using a stem extender, so I would suggest choice #3 as an easy solution. In fact, I might get that one myself, since it's longer than the stem extender I am using now,
juan

Let me know if you find a distributor that has it in stock... The distributor that was in my link currently doesn't have it in stock.

I use a Kalloy adjustable and raise the angle until it's tall enough.

I have option D on my recumbent and would not suggest using such a small threadless adapter - too much leverage if you ever push or pull on the handlebars.

However, all may not be lost. RANS does sell a longer threadless adapter that you should use, and you'll also have to buy the post clamps as well. Should your stem be too wide, you might have to pick up the shim as well. Just cut the stem to size, and read this article with care about modifying the stem.

RANS' quality is pretty first rate, so no worries there.

Thanks for the info spambait11, this is awesome. From what I can see with this type of setup I can probably work with this, althought it will definately be important to measure twice and cut once to get the right lenth.

Same here, with some mountain bike riser bars. I'm 6' tall and I'm almost upright on my Twenty.

size of tube
 

Hi there.... Whats the outer diameter of the steerer tube please?

Mine used to have a kalloy adjustable angle quill stem (a la Chegs) but it was heavy and I got it really so I could find out what angle was good with the hope of replacing it with something lighter and fixed. I opted for this KF stem
http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/publi...mlnndd7h7bpdv6
which works well with my aero bars. I'm not that tall though (5'5") so this may not have enough rise or reach for a taller rider. Of your suggested options I think going for C will give you the most flexibility as there are a million and one different A-head stems out there; it will be chunky looking though and may look top heavy on a twenty. In terms of elegance the recumbent stem is the winner though reach issues may again be an issue.

It's worth noting that the longer the reach beyond the pivot point the more responsive the steering will feel. Coupled with the small wheels I'd be careful not to have too long a reach as it will feel squirrely and hard to keep straight.

It's great to see your project shaping up - thanks for canvassing our opinions and keeping us up to date with the latest progressions (is looking forward to seeing the shiny finished result!)

Best
Huw

I am going to ask my LBS if they can get it. If they can't, I think I will end up using option D as I do need a little bit more height. I already am using the type of stem extender that spambait is using, so the only things I would need are the actual stem and a clamp. I really would rather be able to go with option C, but hey, beggers can't be choosers,
Jua

But then choosers must have a booring life .. Just buying what you want is no challenge!

This is just what I need by the way. Still some time before I need it, but I like to do some thinking ahead.