Longer steerer tube
 

I have a stock road bike with a threadless headset. I would like to have a more upright position (which would entail higher positioned handlebars) and I was considering my options.

One way to do it is to use an adjustable stem, although my current stem already has a 35 degree angle, so using an adjustable stem and setting it at, let's say, 75 degree, would only give me so much extra handlebar height.

Another way is to replace the whole fork with one that has a longer steerer tube. This option has challenges of its own: I would have to experiment to find a fork that does not alter the frame geometry, and then the paint wouldn't match, etc.

Is there another option, e.g., a steerer tube extender of sorts? I'm thinking an extra 5 or 6 cm (2" or 2.5") would do. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Why not do a net search on "steerer tube extenders"?
There's an internal, quill stem fashion and one external, wraparound fashion. Don't know if I'd dare use an internal on a CF steerer, but the external should be OK - although admittedly not exactly sleek.

What kind of stem are you using? I use alot of Kalloy hybrid type stems that have alot of height to them.


I recently had the steerer tube extended on two forks, the guy doing the job simply cut the old steerer off and welded on a new steerer.

Have you considered a threadless adapter and a threadless type stem?

I have the standard stem that comes with the Bianchi Volpe 2012, a Reparto Corse alloy stem in a 1 1/8" threadless headset. The Reparto Corse already has a 35 degree angle up, but that still gives me quite a forward position. I'm more into distance cycling, so I'd like a more upright position than the current setup allows.


This thread has a nice picture that describes how the poster did it:

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/vie...56454&start=15

He's talking about shortening the steerer tube, but the same process would apply to adding length to it. How would this work in terms of structural integrity? Would there by any concerns in terms of safety, reliability, etc? Also, his example is with a threaded tube. Mine is threadless, so keeping the thread is not a concern, but still, the same process of adding length/welding would apply.

Do you meand threaded to threadless (in which case it wouldn't apply to me), or do you mean one of these adapters:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/zoom-head...rks-prod18251/

I'm only coming with adaptors that are advertised for Ahead systems (I'd have to read more on those to see how they differe from standard threadless headsets). A couple of examples:

Satori Heads-Up Stem Extender
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/zoom-head...rks-prod18251/

Zoom HEADSUP2 Steerer Extender
http://www.jensonusa.com/Zoom-HEADSUP2-Steerer-Extender

BBB BHP-22 Steerer Tube Extender
http://www.wiggle.com/bbb-bhp-22-steerer-tube-extender/

I haven't found any comprehensive reviews on them, mostly on whether they are safe/recommended/reliable/etc.

I used the BBB Bhp 21, myself, it is different because it is a Quill, that goes Inside the steerer, rather than outside.

and offers a height choice.. the stem option, at full height, was.. I could use then was 2 stems,
as I wanted the 2nd one for handlebarbag mounting on my Trekking bike Rebuild.

http://bbbcycling.com/bike-parts/headset-parts/BHP-21

They're the same, for all intents and purposes. Threadless is the generic description of what they are, Aheadset is the specific name. Like inline skates vs roller blades, V-brakes vs direct-pull brakes.

Well, there are far more vague warnings than there are actual failure reports.
My guess is that if you wreck hard enough for the extender to matter, it's a toss-up what else would have failed first if the extender wasn't there.
I've used a quill type for a couple of years w/o issue. I've used the BBB one for a couple of weeks. Worked perfectly fine for the time, but I didn't fancy the kludgy look. I'd think I'd prefer it to the Satori/Zoom type clamp though.

Did you use the quill type with a threaded or a threadless steerer tube? If the second, did you have to remove the star nut so that the extender could go deeper into the steerer tube?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299737

How does the BBB (or the other external, clamp-style) extender work? For instance, does it come with its own star nut, so that you adjust the new stem with the vertical bolt screwing into a star nut that is inside the extender? Or does it come with a really long bolt that screws into the steerer tube's star nut?

If the extender comes with its own star nut, then that means that the two short bolts at the base of the extender (the clamp) are the only thing that attaches the extender to the steerer tube. If so, how would you make sure you have enough pressure down, and how would you fine tune that pressure (as the vertical bolt would do) so that you have no extra play, and no excessive adjustment either?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299740

OH Yeah I read right past the threadless part. Did you consider something like this?

http://www.ebikestop.com//prodimages/SM2352.jpg

On my internal BHP 21, yes I removed the star nut, (you can drill the inner edge,
or the center comes apart, it breaks, if the pull up, is strong enough
[steel steerer] nut retained in star with aluminum 'rivet'..
then i turned 'the stars' on edge and they come right out)

the Clever bit, is not shown, the center bolt, .. custom manufactured for this part,
it has a 6mm thread inside the 6mm hex, so once the quill wedge is tightened,
the top cap bolt pulls against the internal thrad, to do the headset adjustment, as per usual for threadless forks.

the rings at the top are keyed shims the stem grips around, you use all or as many as you wish,
to have a choice of how much taller you are making the steerer..


IDK what needs the OP has , external stem raisers will just shift your single/one stem
to a higher position..

With the parts I got , For Touring, I was able to add a second Threadless stem,
underneath, and there, I mount the clip to QR my Handlebar Bag.

Of course it also may mean you need to replace all the cables
to reach the new higher location of the Handlebars.

What make stem is that, is it 35 degrees rise? thanks, Brian

This particular stem is a Demension brand (QBP's house brand) stem, with a 125d angle. http://www.ebikestop.com/dimension_t...260-SM2352.php

That's what I have right now, so I was between using an adjustable stem (to increase the angle), or the steerer tube extender. Or maybe a combination of both to give me more angle/height choices...

Wait... Your 'stock' Volpe has a 35d angle or a 125d angle?

The stock stem on the website looks like a 84/96d angle style. So you already switched it?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/archives/2...d/steel/volpe/

The stock stem looks something like this.

http://www.ebikestop.com//prodimages/SM4746.jpg

Any pics of the bike?

rgpg, is this a new bike that could be traded in for a larger size? Are you new to road bikes? :)

FWIW, in the US, BBB is distributed by Bike Mine , shipping to Dealers Out of Oklahoma City.
seller needs the Bike Mine Account.

I went through R&E in Seattle to Get Mine..

Yes Tidiest is just getting a replacement fork and insist ,
shop doesnt cut the steerer short this time.


BHP 22 is external, bhp, 21 is internal,[ bhp 20 is 22,2/7/8" internal]

With the disclaimer that it's at least two years since I looked at mine - Pretty much so.
If you remove the top cap, it's like looking down into a can with an Allen head bolt lurking at the bottom.
Allen bolt engages existing starnut, and extender tightens down like a regular stem, and locks down like a regular stem using the pinch bolts. Top cap threads into a threaded hole center-drilled into the Allen bolt used to set the headset preload with the extender.

It's a new bike, but it's the right size. I'm not new to road bikes, and I have one already. This other one I'm modifying (the all-purpose Bianchi Volpe) can be used for cyclocross, touring, or racing. As the manufacturers acknowledge, the bike won't excel at any, but it can be adapted to serve various purposes. So, to adapt it to touring, I'd like to raise the handlebars a bit for a more upright position.

As I look at other bikes designed with touring in mind (e.g., Surly Long Haul Trucker), I can see they come with a longer stem already, so that the top of the handlebars and the top of the seat are at the same height. With a steerer tube extender, or an adjustable stem (where I can change the angle), I would get some flexibility if I want to adjust the height of my handlebars for different purposes (more forward position when looking for speed/aerodynamics, more upright position when long distance riding season arrives).

Oh, yeah, you're right, the official Bianchi website shows a different stem. My bike looks like this floor model from Cambridge Bicycles, with the same type of stem:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299798



Maybe the stem angle is lower than I quoted, but you get the idea. Looking at the head tube of the bike in the picture, that must be a 49 or 52 cm frame. Mine is a 57 cm, and I use my seat higher than the picture (the seat goes higher than the handlebars). My goals is to get at least the seat and handlebars at the same height, and then have some adjustability (up or down) to play with for comfort.

Edit: on second look, now I realize my stem does not really have an angle: it's the angle of the steerer tube that makes it look like the stem rises a little. I have to start paying more attention to my parts.

At any rate, this is what I had in mind as one alternative:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299978

Then I can choose (and fine tune) any angle that feels comfortable, depending on what I'm using the bike for.

Take your bike back to the shop and look (and try) at stems with different angles, that is the one good thing about threadless and removable faceplates.



FWIW Your 2012 Volpe

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...8&d=1361138931

The Volpe's humble begining in '86. The RD, tires (of course) and saddle are different from OEM

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1361143233

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299809http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299810http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299811

Nice pink Volpe, with matching red wine :-)

BTW, here's the Reparto Corse stem that came stock with my 2012 Volpe:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299979

Now that I see it uninstalled, not the angle I thought. That means either your suggestion (a fixed 35 degree stem) or the adjustable one would give me those extra few centimeters of handlebar height I'm looking for.

Yes it would and don't forget extension. A 35d 130L stem may not get you as high as a 35d 110L stem. I would head to where you bought it or your favorite LBS and see if you can try some different stems. On of my favorite shops must has 40+ different new and takeoff stems on a board by where they do their fitting.

Adjustable stems like that will move your bars a little back as well as up, and out as well as down. Which you may or may not appreciate depending on how close you want to tune your ride position.