GreenLightGo

Hello - I'm just getting back into owning and riding a mountain bike. I purchased a Trek 3700 (I know, it's an entry level, but I'm a novice so it'll be a good starter). Anyway, the only thing I don't like about it is the 25 degree rise stem. Being new at this though, I don't know what is best for me. There's a lot of choices out there and I wouldn't know what's good/reasonable. I bought a 21" frame, I'm 6'3" and about 215 lbs. I'm not looking to ride any hardcore single tracks or jumps, but would like something more than suitable to handle most things, I don't like buying cheap stuff. Here's the specs from the Trek website.

Handlebars 25.4, 30mm rise
Stem Bontrager, 25.4, 25 degree
Headset Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed

I'd like something closer to 10-15 degrees probably.

I'm assuming installing this is a matter of unbolting the old one and installing a new one with the proper torque specs.

BTW, I had a 1994 or 1995 model Raleigh M60 for a couple of years and rode it for a while before the job got too hectic. I haven't ridden in about 4 years so I'm sure my legs will be jello for a long time.

GreenLightGo

Ok, not many replies. Here's what I've come across. I'm leaning towards the Titec Little Al (same length as the factory piece, 7 deg rise) but the question I have is the steerer clamp height. Little Al is 48mm, best I can tell, my Trek's factory piece is 40mm but there's a significant spacer (I think) underneath, well over an inch. It has two grooves in it, which I'm assuming are meant to cut. I haven't been to my LGBS yet (local GERMAN bike shop) to see what they have on the shelf.

I also don't know what the 1 1/8" refers to but I'm assuming it's the steering tube size.



I also researched the Easton EA50 130mm 6 deg, the Easton EA70 120mm, 10 deg, a Kore Aheadlite 2 stem.

GreenLightGo

As far as bars go, I like the 1.5" rise. During my search on here, lot's of positive comments on Easton. Will aluminum be durable for a while?

EASTON EA30 ALUMINUM RISER BAR

GreenLightGo

I bid on some components on Ebay. I saw a lot of good comments on the Race Face and Thomson stuff on here as well. I searched for info on stems/handlebars. RaceFace has some good installation instructions on their website.


https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEBI:IT

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEBI:IT

Maelstrom 

I think the replys were sparse because, well at least for me, bars and stems aren't made for novices.

Aluminum bars typically need replacement after 2 years. Most companies offer a replacement warranty. Depends on the quality of the alum and the company itself.

In my world that thomson stem is about as good as you will ever get for strong vs light. Definately grab it if you can.

In hindsight this all comes down to fit. Anything you buy may not fix the problem. Be prepared to do a lot of playing to figure out wht geometry suits you. I would almost go to a bike shop and ask to borrow some parts to play with to get a feel for the proper geometry you are looking for.

GreenLightGo

I see your point. Thanks for the reply! I think the stem really stood out to me because my old Raleigh frame was too small for me and I got used to riding a little more foreward. I bought the 21" frame this time and it's the right size so I feel like I'm sitting up too much because the Trek's OEM stem is 25 degrees.

I did win the Thomson stem, $39.