I'm new to the forum here so if there is somewhere I should be looking for this info please let me know.

I've recently been trying to get back on a bike to loose weight as well as recreational purposes so I have pulled out my old bike to get started on. As far as I can tell it is a 2001 Mongoose switchback (based on the picture here: https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...back&Type=bike). Not exactly the most amazing bike but I'm not likely going to get the green light to get anything else anytime soon. I've been working on it getting things more or less adjusted correctly. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I do most of my own car repairs, including some more "difficult" ones so I would like to learn how to do this myself as much as is possible.

This bike was bought from Dick's several years ago and not used much, I don't think it was ever really setup "right." It's working reasonably well at this point but I have found that the adjustable stem really never gets tight enough for the handlebars to feel solid. I think it is a problem with the part at this point, I just don't think it can physically be adjusted to be tight (too much clearance between the parts). So I was considering replacing the stem. So my reason for posting here is I am not sure what part I should be looking for, many of the stems I'm seeing do not look like they would work with my bike so I'm trying to figure out what will.

Also based on the specs in the Bikepedia page any recommendations for improvements that can be made without spending too much $$ (I don't think this bike is worth putting to much into).

If there is any information in that picture , it's a Quill stem,
if its a 1" threaded fork the quill of the stem is 7/8"-22.2 mm,
if the steerer is threaded 9/8"[1-1/8"], the quill is 1"-25.4mm.

Thanks for the info, I just checked and the diameter of the existing stem is 1", any thoughts on whether to get another quill stem or one of the quill to threadless adapters that are out there? It seems like there are a lot more options for threadless stems at this point.

Looks like this might fit. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1734

Not trying to talk down to you, but want to make sure you know how to adjust that stem. There is a bolt underneith the stem that allows adjustment of the angle of the stem. If it is loose, the stem will feel a bit loose. The side pivot bolts really do not control tightness.

Also, make sure the headset is properly adjusted, as loose headset could be interpreted as looseness in the bars as well in some cases.

I'd go for a non-adjustable quill stem. You need to make sure the quill diameter matches your fork ID and the bar clamp matches your bar OD. I'd also dump the suspension seat post for a regular one and, assuming you will be riding on pavement, get some narrower tires that will run at higher pressure.

There are quill to threadless adapters, that gives you something to clamp a threadless stem onto,
so you have 2 things to buy, the adapter, and the stem.

This is why I posted here, I don't know why I never looked there but the screw you mentioned was loose, I tightened it and now everything seems solid. Feel like a bit of a dolt for not seeing it but hey if that is money I don't have to spend then I'm OK with that.

Thanks, I've been thinking about ditching the suspension post, and I'd like to get a new seat as well (the stock one is pretty wide). I'm planning on pretty much just riding on pavement so I may look into some new tires.