How Hard Is It To Raise A Threadless Stem for a new guy
 

I am new to this, so i havent tried anything other than minor maintenace.

I have a Specialized sectuer with what appears to be threadless stem. It looks like all the risers are already below, so i am assuming i will have to buy some more.

Can a average handyman with limited bike knowledge do this on his on, or do i need to take it to a shop? If i need to take it toba shop, any ideas on how much i might be looking at?

You absolutely cannot raise your stem too high. Chances are that your stem is already at its maximum height on the fork's steerer tube. I can't imagine there being a bunch of steerer tube sticking out above your stem where it clamps to the steerer.

The guideline is that you want the stem to be about 3mm higher than your steerer tube.

Have you flipped your stem to get more vertical handlebar height? That's one thing you can do, provided that your bars haven't already been flipped as such.

If you are dead set on raising handlebar height, and you don't have any fork steerer tube left, then you need a new fork.

Alternatives to raising handlebar height include getting a shorter stem. Sounds like you're having issues reaching the handlebars, correct?

it all the spacers are under the stem, you are done with that. Stem angle and length are what you have left. What has changed that you need to change the bar height? Go see a fitter.

Something like this would work: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...er%2Caps%2C190

My husband even has one on a carbon Madone!

P2

^+1. I even used one of these on a mountain bike. It held up to considerable pounding.

They work to raise the bars, but they add too much lever arm to the top of a steerer. All the fuss about maximum number of spacers, proper height of the steerer WRT the stem, stem expansion plugs, torque limits on stems, etc are all meant to limit the amount of force that can be place on the steerer.

Thanks guys. I want to raise them to see if it will help with hand numbness. I have anout 300 miles riding it, most rides in the 8 - 12 mile range. I get numb on anything over 5 or so miles. I keep seeinf raising the bars as a sugestion for numbness

For the record, i got it used off craigslist. It is a 52cm frame. I am 5'6".

I have tried a few padded gloves. I also started lifting weights 2 weeks ago to hopefully help with my core strength.

I thought if it was a simple and inexpensive thing i would give a try and see if it helps with the numbness. Maybe i should give the weight lifting a few more weeks and see if that helps.

Thanks

You didn't mention what kind of bike you have. Road bike?

I'd get a steep angled stem before getting a riser.

Profile Design Boa Stem 130 Degree 1-1/8 in Tree Fort Bikes Stems (cat1520)

http://tfe.me/image/480_345/SM2238.jpg

Or, perhaps an adjustable stem.

It should be easy enough to replace on your bike, assuming you get the correct dimensions.

Some of the newer winged aero bars are more ergonomic than the old round bars. It would be worth considering, especially if you like to ride on the tops of the bars.

http://www.totalcycling.com/Images/Models/150/21607.jpg

Let's address the fact that 5 miles is enough to cause numbness. That sounds like a severe fit issue. Even on my old bike that never fit properly it took more than 40 to get numbness. Your rides are short overall, road bikes often have a bit of a mileage commitment to get comfortable. If you're new then you may need an adjustment to get comfortable but you still need to ride the bike quite a bit more to fit it right. It could actually be causing wrist pain, a combination of weak core muscles and poor fit lead to laying weight on the wrists to avoid sinking into the saddle. Fit helps here, but the biggest problem may be you can't ride an aggressive bike if you do not possess adequate fitness.

I would start by looking at reach, not bar height. Wrist pain is often due to leaning excessively on them. Bar height, IME, is more regularly felt in the lower back. See a fitter.