Help me upgrade this bike
 

I got this bike (a Peugeot Nice) in a police impound shed (free), and have been riding it about 6 months. I like it better than my Schwinn Crisscross

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/...9/MVC-027F.jpg

However, the CTA stem and stock Peugeot bars are too low for me, and uncomfortable on a 10 mile one-way commute. I'd like to replace them both with something more upright, but have no idea where to start. Can I even do something like this? Where do you get more traditional upright type bars? I'm lost with the "threaded headsets" vs. "threadless" etc. stuff, or if it is even appropriate here. And then there is the "French" factor - I'll have to check the sizes for getting the right replacements, as standard stuff wont' work, right? Where do you buy replacement items like this? Performance etc.?

Sorry for the newbie ignorance!?

Cheers!
Duke

You have a "threaded" stem (the piece that goes from the fork to the handlebars). Unlike the newer threadless type, it can be adjusted for height, although maybe only a little bit. If you are not mechanically inclined the adjustment is best left to a bike shop because you can screw up the bearings if you don't know what you are doing. See the ParkTools.com website for instructions on adjusting if you are so inclined.

If adjusting it doesn't raise it enough, Nashbar sells a "comfort" stem for about fifteen bucks: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

Note that raising the handlebars may make your brake cables too short, which means replacing them.

Replacing the handlebars is also a possibility. You have to get ones that are designed to work with road brake levers, like this one from Nashbar: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

I find Nashbar is a good resource for older bikes as they don't always focus on the latest and the greatest. Remember when buying from Nashbar to go through the link in the "Affiliate Links" section. It doesn't cost you anything, and it helps support BikeForums.