Stem help
 

Hi, I have a threadless stem on my bike now with all the spacers set to give me my maximum height, but it is too short. I have my seat right where I want it for my legs, but am getting numb hands sometimes I feel from the handlebars being too low. I was wondering what my best options are for raising my handlebars? I have heard replacing fork, riser stem, and adjustable stem...don't know which is better if any? Thank you for your help.

side note: Anyone recommend any gloves to cut down on hand numbness?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=406906

stems of all different geometries are available at the lbs
so if low bars are the problem
then a high rise stem might be the answer

however
excess pressure on hands are often caused by something other than bar height
usually saddle adjustment
especially saddle angle

Just replace your stem with one that has more rise. The one you have looks like it's only 7 degrees. 35 degree stems in a variety of reaches are very common. Adjustable ones too, if you don't mind the extra weight and complication.
Your stem cap is upside-down by the way.

It depends on how much higher you need based on the three option you listed. I love higher dropbars so have done all three.

1) If you just need to raise an inch or two, then a good adjustable stem would work. There are several designs and some are better than the other. The best bang for the buck is the Nashbar adjustable stem. Multiple teeth engage so it is a very solid piece. They even come with different length sdo there is even more height adjustment.

2) If you need a little more than a couple of inches, then a riser might be a good option. There are two common heights available.

3) If you need even more height, then you might get a new fork with uncut steer tube. Or use a riser with an adjustable stem. :)

Thanks, so a riser stem...or a stem raiser?

PS cap upside down...thanks was fiddling with it and wouldn't have noticed for a while I bet...thanks

On a side note: anyone recommend any gloves to cut down on hand numbness? thanks

there are up 40 degree angled stems .. take a hand off the bars to regain feeling in them 1 at a time

also
your stem cap is upside down
which means one thing to me:
you are never allowed to work on my bike :D

if you put a picture of your whole bike
and maybe one of you riding the bike
we could make suggestions on the overall fit
because
although you seem determined to just raise the bars
you would be surprised at how seldom low bars are the problem
when hand numbness is the sympton

You already have great answers for the problem stem, so I'll go with the glove question. Any gel padded glove should help you with the numbness in your hands. None will totally prevent numb hands, but the better padded gloves will make any numbness tolerable. I use Giro padded gloves, and there are many endless styles and prices for padded gloves available. It's really best if you can find a pair at the LBS because proper sizing seems to be somewhat difficult when switching between different brands and styles. If the gloves are leather you end up liking, remember that leather will tend to shrink up a tiny bit after the gloves get dampened with perspiration. Leather gloves should also be treated with a leather preservative so they last longer.

I don't know why but people often miss the obvious when it comes to stems. Everyone thinks the solution is to raise it, but are you aware they come in different amounts of forward reach?. Your stem has a very long forward reach. Just get a shorter reach stem with the same rise and you will probably find you're much better off. Here's one example of a 60mm stem, and they go down even shorter.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=406996