floorjoist

Hi. I want to upgrade the hanlebars on my bike from the current flat / hybrid style to the touring / trekking / butterfly style. I once read somewhere (can't remember where) that the stem used for touring handlebars should be longer than the stem used for the flat handlebar, for, I guess, purposes of posture, etc... Is my memory correct? Or can I install the new handlebar on my current stem? Is there any science behind this? Is it a personal thing?

Any opinions, experience, theories, knowledge on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

chimpunk

It depends on your philosopy of riding. The way a trekking handlebar is designed will put the "normal," flat bar position, about an inch closer to you (the rider). The bar loops outward first, away from the stem, so you are slightly stretched over the current length of your flat bars by about an inch or two. If you absolutely love riding in the position your flatbars are in now, then you will probably want a longer stem to compensate for the closeness of the new bars.

When I installed mine, I left the stem on. This way, if I want a super upright position, I will ride on the front of the bars. If I want a "normal" flatbar position, I will ride on the sides. If I want a stretched position, I will ride on the outerside/tops. A longer stem, would, in effect, position the fronts where your flatbar is now. I have mine setup so the sides are in the position of my original flatbar.

robmcl

I just changed to trekking bars about two months ago on my commuter and just changed the stem this week. I would install the trekking bars on your current stem and then ride it for a while. This will give you a better idea of fit and what size stem to put on if you need to change. As the above poster mentioned it is kind of tricky if you have never rode with trekking bars before. Also, I put a Zoom adjustable stem on to give a little bit of flexibility for fit.

Lolly Pop

If you think you might swap the stem make sure you use an open-head stem. You will save yourself a lot of work swapping them.

cybrmarc

flojo - i switched to trekking bars about a month ago and just finished my first tour on them. i'm looking for a new stem now because 1- my adjustable stem is a piece of crap and 2 - my other spare stems don't have long enough extensions (that's the part that juts out from the main "quill") to accomodate the more stretched out position I'd like to have.

This of course is also dependent on your bike fit, but for me, with a frame that's a little too small for me, I want to put the trekking bars further forward because otherwise I lock my arms up, and I find that when I'm using a stem with a 11-12cm extension my elbows bend better and the arch of my back feels less forced, more natural.

just my $.02. One thing I am wondering is now that I'm bringing my bars so far forward over the front wheel, will my handling be scewier? I've just ridden around the block a couple times, making adjustments, and it seems my steering may be more sensitive.

p.s. watch out for some adjustable stems. the one i got off ebay (aluminum adjustable stem by "NL") was a lemon - even after I exchanged it. the extension wobbles - pfft. too bad my old raleigh stems don't have extensions as long as I'd like.

cybrmarc

"If you think you might swap the stem make sure you use an open-head stem. You will save yourself a lot of work swapping them." - lolly

tell me about it --- my adjustable stem had an open face, but not my old raleigh stems....

20 minutes to get one foam grip off, lol

i love my foam grips!