Threadless extension? Do they work ok?
 

I am thinking of getting a threadless extension that extends the tube upward to rais my bars a little more.

I want to know if they work ok and are there any dangers to look out for? I have my stem flipped now and it is 17degree stem but I think I would be more comfortable if the bars where a little higher.

Opinions, tips, or look out don't do it?:confused:

I can't speak from personal experience, but I don't see why they wouldn't work. The only caveat I can see is that it looks to me like you have to raise the bar some minimum amount, the height of the clamp, perhaps 1.5 inches. So you wouldn't be able to raise the stem just half inch or an inch. Other than that I wouldn't hesitate to try one if I thought I might like it.

The way I see it, I already have my stem flipped up, so I was going to install the extension then flip the stem so the rise is negative and go from there. Do you think this will work ok?

I was planing on using a yard stick placed on my saddle pointing forward to gage the relative movement up of the bars.

Next question. Why do the manufactures cut these stems short so you have to add things to them if you want your bars a little higher? Why not just cut the stear tube long and allow the new owner to move the stem up and down untill he finds the sweet spot then have the shop cut the stear tube down if you want?

This is my first real road bike and I guess I'm still looking for the most comfortable spot. I'm making 30-40 mile rides on it now but in the drops I'm just a little pinched around the middle.

I put an extension on my hybrid. It works fine. One nice side effect is once you have the extension installed you can adjust stem up and down without readjusting the headset.

I agree that manufacturers set the stem too low without leaving any upward adjustment on the steerer. I guess they think the bike looks better with the stem mounted at the top of the steerer.