Originally Posted by
TromboneAl
Thanks for the advice.
Well, we got the bike ($360 from craigslist).
I understand your arguments, and may have screwed up, but I'm going to try a few options. If I can raise the handlebars by about 3 inches, then I can duplicate the fit of her current bike, with which she is very comfortable.
Although the fork is carbon, the steerer tube seems to be metal. The handlebars are 31.8 mm.
The current stem is angled down, and is very close to 90 degrees.
Check my math, if I were to get
this adjustable stem, the handlebars would go up by a maximum of
about 120 mm / 1.414 =84.9 mm = 3.34 inches.
Next option would be to determine the best stem angle/length, and buy it.
Another would be to first buy that Delta stem riser, and go from there.
If all else fails, I clean up this Specialized Allez, sell it, and she goes back to her original bike.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Nice bike!
Looks like a situation where the original owner had the fork cut to his size and left no room for vertical height adjustment. I like to leave an inch above the steering stem myself simply because it leaves open more possibilities for different headsets and more flexibility if resale is of interest.
A sharply angled steering stem is probably your best bet. The adjustable stems like the one you referenced are not only heavy - they tend to develop play over time and the bar flex becomes increasingly noticable. If you can get a rigid one to start off with that would be ideal.
There are two big issues with tube extenders on threadless forks. The wall thickness of a threadless steel fork tube for example, is about 45% thinner than an equivalent threaded steel fork tube. Which means its lighter but will support less stress along an unsupported length. So normally there are height restrictions on threadless fork tubes of about 40mm from the top of the headset to the bottom of the steering tube. Adding a tube extender changes things because the inner diameter of the exterder is larger, but the height puts more forces on the fork tube through twisting leverage than is recommended.
The other issue is that due to the design of an extender - you`ll probably be stuck with a minimum of 4 inches of additional height even if you only want 3 inches. Best to take the bike to a shop and try the pieces for visual effect right in the shop.
Likely someone there can also help confirm the correct fit and adjustment of the bike for your wife at the same time.