Jaymez

They seem to be somewhat rusted, I need to adjust my handlebar height as it's too low and causes pain for me, should I just take it down to my local bike shop and get them to do it? I literally don't have the strength to be able to unscrew it.

Bunyanderman

Lengthen the tool you are using to unscrew it. If the tool is 2x as long (parallel to the bolt) you will have 2x the leverage. Use a long wrench to grab the end of the allen tool, you will get it then.

PeregrineA1 

Use PB Blaster first. Let it sit over night. Lightly tap the stem and allen key (when it is in the bolt) before trying to unscrew.

Too much force may round the allen socket or break off the head of the bolt.

rpenmanparker 

Depending upon what kind of stem, it may not be able to be raised. If it is is a threadless headset stem, the best you can do is to flip it over so it is pointed more up. Providng the cables are long enough to allow that. You can't raise it on the steerer tube unless there are a lot of spacers above it. If you don't know about these things, please do go to the bike shop to inquire what can be done.

Jaymez

It's a Bontrager Select stem, I do not know if it is threadless or not. And I have no PB blaster, does it really matter if I use it or not?

Bunyanderman

Post a pic.

Jaymez

The bike is a Trek SL1200, not quite sure what model but it looks like this https://www.trekbikes.com/images/bike...ckaluminum.jpg

Jaymez

https://imgur.com/4WhcEpY
https://imgur.com/gHDZ3qA
These are what my stem looks like.

Jakedatc

Do you have spacers above the stem now (the little rings) or if not is the stem angled down? If no to both of these that is as high as it will go on that fork.

WD40 or similar might help loosen the threads a bit too. and more leverage.

Jaymez

There is no spacer above the stem, and the stem is angled around ~85 degrees. More around 87 degrees. It's really close to 90 degrees we'll just say that

Jaymez

If I can't do anything about it, what will I need to do? Get a new stem? I don't really know.

hueyhoolihan

if you can't loosen them yourself, get someone else to do it. yes, take it to the LBS. that way, if it should devolve into a destructive removal process, the LBS is into it up to their eyeballs. not a bad idea take a few pics of them with the tools in their hands. make sure the bike is in the frame too.

too bad my brother-in-law doesn't live near you. he's never seen a bolt that he cannot get off and/or destroy in the process.

Jaymez

It isn't new, it's second hand, about 3 years old.

rpenmanparker 

For your own safety, take your bike to a shop and work it out with them. Pay attention so you will know for next time. I'm afraid you may have not bought the right size bike for you. Nevertheless you can get a shorter and/or more highly up angled stem to help resolve the problem. But you will likely need new, longer cables to reach the higher handlebar. Get professional help.

Jaymez

Ah, I'm only 16 years old, I'm still growing, it will fit in due time, I hope. But as for now I'll just have to deal with/get used to it. It isn't as bad as you think it'd be, the frame's about 1-2cm too big for me.

Jaymez

When I find another job I'll just re-adjust it actually, that'd be a lot easier.

BlazingPedals

If there are no spacers above the stem, then you can't raise it. Or rather, the only way you can raise it is to buy a new fork with a longer steerer tube, which could then fit spacers under the stem without going off the top of the steerer tube.

elboGreaze

In your case , I would have the bike shop do the work . Have them flip the stem , so that it angles upward and tilt the handle bars up , to your liking.

Sy Reene

From the pics you posted, you can gain some height by simply flipping the stem upside down so that the rise/angle goes up. Looks like it will give you may 1-2 inches.. If not enough you could consider a stem with more angle.. link to just one such thing just for an idea
Ritchey Pro 30 Degree Stem > Components > Handlebars and Stems > Stems | Jenson USA

RoadGuy

OP,

Since you aren't familiar with the difference between threaded and threadless heaset sets, maybe you don't know how the threadless headset is put together, or how it comes apart.

The top cap bolt holds the fork onto to the bike and is how you adjust the headset bearing preload.

The two screws that face sideways clamp the handlebar stem onto the fork.

There may be spacers on the fork located above and below the handlebar stem. That is all the adjustment that exists for raising or lowering the handlebar stem.

The handlebar stem can also be used, right side up or upside down to raise or lower the handlebars.

The highest that the handlebars can be located with the existing parts would be with the spacers all located below the handlebar stem, with the handlebar stem positioned for maximum height.

To get the handlebar stem off the bike to flip it over, or to replace it, undo thr bolt/s that clamp the handlebars to the stem. Unbolt the two pinch bolt that secure the stem to the fork, and lastly, unscrew the bolt on the top of the stem than holds the stem to the fork. Make sure that the bike and fork are sitting on the wheel or the ground before removing the cap bolt, or the fork will drop off the bike, and the headset bearings will be rolling on the floor.

To reassemble, put the stem back on, followed by the cap. The fork should be 1/8 or less recessed below the level of the top spacer or the fork, otherwise you will not be able to tighten the cap to secure the fork properly. Tighten the bolt on the cap until the headset bearings are smooth without play or grinding, then straighten the stem on the fork, and tighten the two bolts that hold the stem onto the fork.

Stucky

OP, are you trying to loosen the bolt with just a little Allen key? If so, find a skinny piece of pipe to put over the end of the key to extend it out a ways, and give it a nice quick jerk in the proper direction (Counterclockwise to loosen, when facing the bolt head)...should do it. PB Blaster is great stuff, and very effective- but generally for bolts that are rusted...which I doubt yours are.