DelusionalDude

I admit it, I'm cheap. But I think it pays off for me. And what I'm asking here will be sacrilegious to some of you, but please don't stone me.

I went yard sale shopping this weekend hoping to find a bike for the Mrs. What we did find was a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E. Koo, much too big for her. Former owner claims it was bought in 2000 or 2001. (BTW, I only paid $140. Score!) Now, on to the point....

The HKEK has the same handlebar setup as the website photos show. It has an Aheadset threadless headset and Indy Rock Shox, Bontrager Maverick rims, and Crossroads EX tires. I like the bike, the frame size is acceptable, but when the seat is adjusted to the right height, I have to lay over too far to reach and control the handlebars. I would like to have the current handlebars changed to a comfort/hybrid style setup. (ouch, that rock hurt!) What will have to be done to make this change? About how much should I expect to pay?

JanMM

Replacing the flat bars with riser bars would raise your hands.
https://www.bikeman.com/Cruiser_Multi...andlebars.html

Replacing the stem with one with less forward reach and a steeper angle (upwards) would bring your hands closer to you and raise them higher, too.
https://www.bikeman.com/store/merchan...readless_Stems

You could make one or both of those changes. The stem change is much quicker and easier, usually.

BCRider

Yep, riser bars and a shorter stem or shorter stem that also has a higher rise angle. Or if the bars are the right distance forward but just too low then the riser bars along with a higher angle stem. It just depends on how much you want to move it and which way.

I'm not sure what you mean by "hybrid bars". Most hybrid bikes seem to be set up with mountain bike bars of some form.. oddly enough the riser bars we're suggesting. Is that what you're after or did you have something more pulled back in mind? If so then use the Search button at the top of the forum page to search for "northroad bars" and look at the pictures you find.

dabac

As already suggested, a good place to start is to replace the stem. What to replace with depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to be sacrilegious you could get a BMX/DH type stem with an absolute minimum forward extension and a steerer tube extender to go with that. Combine that with a North Road bar and you'd be fairly upright.
Or if you want to go from sacrilege straight into heresy, get a riser stem and run it backwards.
It'll look very odd, but it'll work just fine as long as you can remain seated while riding. You'll probably need longer cables to get away with that though. That and a NR bar will put you pretty much in the same riding position as you'll get from a cruiser bike.

JoebikerLa

Just be aware of the clamp size of the stem (to hold the handlebar) and your current or replacement handlebar. I'd guess your current bar has a 25.4 clamp dia. Steer tube is 1 1/8".

CACycling

You could also go with an adjustable stem. That way you can play with the height till you get it where you want it (and change it later if you so desire).

sonatageek

What about trying a trekking bar (Nashbar sells one) that would move the controls closer to you, give a little bit of additional rise and also give you the option for more hand positions? I have them on a mountain bike that is my everything bike and they work pretty nicely. They will also be the right diameter for mountain bike stems and controls.

DelusionalDude

Thanks so much everyone.

I think the adjustable stem with riser handlebars is what I'm going to try. I'll be at my LBS tomorrow.

Retro Grouch 

How about a stem riser? That's relatively economical and will raise the handlebars about 3 inches - quite a bit more than most of the alternate methods. Keep the same stem and handlebar but you'll probably also have to get new cables and longer cable housings.

Less goofy looking than a w-i-d-e riser bar or a kooky angled stem too.

onbike 1939

+1