i'd like to raise the handlebars on my touring bike by 1" or so. i already have a high angle stem on the bike, so i'm thinking my only option is getting a steerer extender. there seem to be 2 general types:
https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bi...-2147483553-20

and

https://www.bbb.eu/headparts_bhp21.php

is one type better than the other, more reliable, stronger?

one is designed for threadless steerers while the other is designed for threaded steerers.

here's a picture to tell them apart.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html#headset

actually, the BBB extender claims it can be used for threadless and threaded. would you not recommended it for threadless steerers?

I've never tried their extender, but just be sure you get the proper size.

Not really enough info to go on here, but I assume you have a threadless steerer already? I feel either wil be OK as long as you can get adjustment on the headset properly. The one with the wedge will probably be the easier- but make certain the shoulder will butt tightly with the top of the steerer tube, and stay there!

The other type will require a longer bolt for the top cap, to reach the star nut. I'm not sure I like this method. but what do I know? I don't care for spacing the stem up more than an inch anyway, and that's only if the steerer tube is long enough. I do see odd stem extensions every day. Whether I like 'em or not doesn't matter. Those bikes are generally not ridden hard enough for this to be a safety issue.

You may have other means to the same end. Different bars being one- shorter stem another- and saddle position being another. We don't know however why you want to raise the bars, or if the bike just doesn't fit, and so on.

I'm old, and have a neck injury, so require a bit of an upright ride. There's only so many ways I can get there if I still desire to do some spirited riding- which I do. The proper bike design is the best way to achieve my needs, and maybe yours.

yes, i already have the threadless steerer. the bike i'm adjusting is a new touring bike - made for me and fits me well, except i'd like the bars higher (my lbs screwed up and cut the steerer tube). since it's a touring bike and not a racing bike, comfort is more important that speed - hence raising the bars.

i've read reviews for the various extenders, but i'm looking to you all for opinions on what's worked best for you.

i am using a BBB BHP 21 (used bike buy)
i got it for a stemraiser, so i could stack stems, being internal,
the only one that allows that.
the lower of which carries my KF bar bag mount.

it is comprised of a rather stout quill, of extruded aluminum, fluted,
a series of keyed 1/16th thick shims that key into a keyway channel in the quill,

and a long quill bolt which was also custom manufactured, TW natch,
it is M6 threaded inside the 6mm hex to tighten the quill wedge.

i wouldnt do offroad downhills with the setup, [or the others] but for a tour/trekking bike it seems OK.

the other ones being external,.. [ Delta, as shown 2 pinch bolts
Zoom/Satori's 'Heads-Up' use a bolt cotter combo for a solid friction fit]

... occupied the space i wanted stem #2 placed

I use the Delta extender on our tandem with a threadless stearer tube. It works great and comes with a long enough bolt to engage the star spangled nut. It's strong and I totally trust it.

If the bike shop indeed screwed up, why don't you ask them for a new fork?

it's a long story, but the short version is: they screwed up, i need to find a solution, i'll never go back there.

thanks old hammer boy. the delta might be what i end up going with.

Delta are certainly easier to find,

BBB one i finally got thru R&E in Seattle,
as they had an account with the right distributor.

If it were me I think I'd try to get the BBB one. It looks to me like you can adjust it up and down the whole length provided you remove or smack the exiting star nut down far enough. That means it ends up looking like a stock steerer and stem instead of the rather kludgey looking clamp on version. It also means that you can adjust the stem to sit anywhere even if it ends up partly on the original steerer instead of having to immediately jump up quite a ways.

I agree BCRider, the BBB extender does look better and does allow for more stem attachment points. Although aesthetics are a factor, my main concern is that i don't want to worry about the extension failing. I bought this bike for on and off road touring and want it to be able to handle rough roads etc without twisting free or failing in some other way. Reviews seem to be mixed on the external clamp extenders (like the Delta one) - some people seem to have issues screwing it tightly to their existing stem. Just want an extension that's as good as a long steerer would be, I'm not entirely sure that's possible.

I removed the star nut from my fork.. they break if you pull up on them hard enough,

steel steerer, so no problem..

(mine, was an OEM special ordered short 35mm travel sus fork
with a particular machined setup for a tubus ergo rack match painted,
so getting another was out of the question..)

anyhow.. they break if you pull up on them hard enough,

CaneCreek headset, so they made the star nut too i'd guess

core is an aluminum sleeve rivet, with a steel thread insert. once the aluminum breaks down,
the stars can be turned and pulled out, on edge, easily..

I'd say it's as strong as any 22.2 quill stem.


& you can bury it as far in your fork as you wish. , just use enough keyed stem shims
in the kit, for the height you wish.

but as i understand the issue is the shop cut it shorter,
Instead why not get another fork
use it uncut. you can always sandwich the stem between spacers at any height
along the steerer shaft.

You can get one of those USB charging hub dynamo power things to put in the
steerer tube then , as it will be hollow,
they must integrate the headset preload adjustment screw
in those, somehow.

fietsbob, i'd love to get a new fork, but it's not in the budget right now. (and the shop that screwed up my current set up wont pay for a new one.) i'm fairly new to bike mechanics, so i have to admit, your description of the installation intimidated me a little. since i'm boycotting my lbs, i'm planning on doing this myself. all i should have to do with the BBB extender is 1) remove the star nut (any more advice here? this is something i don't need to use again, so it's ok if i breaks in the process?) 2) determine the proper length for the extension 3) insert the shims + extension 4) screw everything together 5) replace my stem + bars

i already have a dynamo hub. threading it through the steerer tube is a good idea.