Adjusting handlebar height
04-05-12 | 01:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Poseur Extraordinaire
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 341
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Adjusting handlebar height
It's dumb question time ... a mechanical adjustment I've never done before.
I picked up a road bike on craigslist. The handlebars are too high, almost the same height as the saddle (note: I've already adjusted the saddle properly). I'm not looking for a flat-back racer position, but do want to add some "drop".
It's a threadless system. The stem is currently flipped "up", and I'd prefer to keep it that way as I will install my cyclocomputer there - my near eyesight isn't the best, and it will be easier to read when tilted up.
On to the spacers. There's a bunch UNDER the stem. So I figure I can remove the bolt and top cap, loosen the stem bolts, slide the stem off the steerer tube, remove spacers, and put the stem back on. Now the handlebar will be lower.
DUMB QUESTION: what do I do with the spacers I've removed? Do they now go on top of the stem before I re-install the top cap and bolt? Or do I set them aside?
Thank you.
I picked up a road bike on craigslist. The handlebars are too high, almost the same height as the saddle (note: I've already adjusted the saddle properly). I'm not looking for a flat-back racer position, but do want to add some "drop".
It's a threadless system. The stem is currently flipped "up", and I'd prefer to keep it that way as I will install my cyclocomputer there - my near eyesight isn't the best, and it will be easier to read when tilted up.
On to the spacers. There's a bunch UNDER the stem. So I figure I can remove the bolt and top cap, loosen the stem bolts, slide the stem off the steerer tube, remove spacers, and put the stem back on. Now the handlebar will be lower.
DUMB QUESTION: what do I do with the spacers I've removed? Do they now go on top of the stem before I re-install the top cap and bolt? Or do I set them aside?
Thank you.
04-05-12 | 02:36 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Salinas , Ca.
Bikes: Bike Nashbar AL-1 ,Raligh M50 , Schwinn Traveler , and others
when you drop the stem ,the spacers go on top then the topcap with bolt . if you don't then the bolt can not adjust the play in the headset .
04-05-12 | 02:37 PM
#5
Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10
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i did the same at 1am this morning:
remove the bolt and top cap, remove the stem, remove spacers, add stem (in desired angle), add spacers, add top cap, tighten top cap just enough, tighten stem bolts.
cutting the steerer tube would irrevocably prevent any use of spacers in the future.
remove the bolt and top cap, remove the stem, remove spacers, add stem (in desired angle), add spacers, add top cap, tighten top cap just enough, tighten stem bolts.
cutting the steerer tube would irrevocably prevent any use of spacers in the future.
04-05-12 | 04:36 PM
#7
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,750
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Theres a good primer on the Park Tools website on adjusting a threadless headset, which is what you'll be doing after you move the spacers from below to above the stem.
I would also recommend flipping the stem as a first step, or maybe in conjunction to moving a spacer or two. I really doubt you'll have a computer reading problem because of just that.
Post if you're having problems, we've all had our first go at threadless headsets. I did, but was able to get through it after reading the Park Tools guide. Read carefully, understand "preload" and it's really simple after that.
I would also recommend flipping the stem as a first step, or maybe in conjunction to moving a spacer or two. I really doubt you'll have a computer reading problem because of just that.
Post if you're having problems, we've all had our first go at threadless headsets. I did, but was able to get through it after reading the Park Tools guide. Read carefully, understand "preload" and it's really simple after that.
04-05-12 | 04:46 PM
#8
Still spinnin'.....
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208
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From: Whitestown, IN
Bikes: Fisher Opie freeride/urban assault MTB, Redline Monocog 29er MTB, Serrota T-Max Commuter, Klein Rascal SS, Salsa Campion Road bike, Pake Rum Runner FG/SS Road bike, Cannondale Synapse Road bike, Santana Arriva Road Tandem, and others....
