Hi, I've been struggling with bike fit since I bought used cyclocross bike (Merida 500 2016 56cm L frame). I have constant hand/elbow pain. I've adjusted saddle height/tilt/horizontal position/ a million times and still couldn't find a good fit.

Then it dawn on me that the problem might be handlebar height since I have very short arms compared to my height. I'm 183cm tall(6'0") and have a wingspan of 175cm (5'9").
The problem is that the stem already tightens at the top of steerer tube and it seems that there's no more place left for spacers. See picture: ht tp://imgur.com/a/OWkMH#eGlp1NZ

Am I out of options here or is there some other way to raise the handlebars? Getting really desperate here. This is also my first "real" bike.

Specialized Hover bar will add a little stack height

Do a search for steerer tube extender. Something like this:https://www.rosebikes.se/artikel/ros...UaAkcxEALw_wcB


Some frown at them, but I've yet to see them cause an accident.

KISS.
Simply flipping your stem would give you about 28 mm raise.

Wow you are way off average when it comes to the difference between your wingspan and your height. A difference of +4 inches is considered 'normal', whereas you are at -3! Consequently, you are what bike fitters would call a very difficult fit (check out the last two videos of the 'bike fit advisor' on YouTube, as a newbie I can't post links yet).

You could try the various stem risers on ebay (something like 60mm 35degrees), but they are better at increasing your stack than shortening your reach. yojim.net has a tool which will tell you exactly how much difference in stack and reach these stems will make (sorry can't post the link!)

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but your best bet might be a custom frame!

I cannot talk intelligently about this fit scenario with the information given. 'Wingspan' v. height? IDK. How was this 'wingspan' measured? I've blown up so many fit threads by simply saying go and measure such and such parameter again it isn't funny. I'd like to know for starters where the handlebar height is now relative to the seat height. Of course the length and slope of the present stem is very relevant. How do we know that flipping it will raise the bars? What if it is already (my suspicion) in the 'up' orientation?

Yeah, can't give useful advice without photos:
Hands on hoods, elbows slightly bent, pedals horizontal
Hands on hoods, elbows slightly bent, pedals in line with seat tube
Hands on hoods, forearms horizontal, pedals horizontal