Paddywagon - modifications?
#1
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Squawk 7700
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 56
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From: Canada
Bikes: Paddywagon, TriCross, SC Blur
Paddywagon - modifications?
Hi all,
I've ridden about 30 miles on my new Paddywagon and it's been great. Quick, nimble and comfortable for the commute.
I want to sit more upright and the stock drop bars have me feel as though I'm reaching too far.
Should I get a)headset spacers b)shorter and higher angle stem c) riser bar?
It comes with a 105mm stem, I'm thinking to shorten it to at least 95mm if not more. The angle right now is 6 deg so I'm thinking a shorter, higher stem? Or will a riser bar suffice?
Any advice or experiences greatly appreciated.
I've ridden about 30 miles on my new Paddywagon and it's been great. Quick, nimble and comfortable for the commute.
I want to sit more upright and the stock drop bars have me feel as though I'm reaching too far.
Should I get a)headset spacers b)shorter and higher angle stem c) riser bar?
It comes with a 105mm stem, I'm thinking to shorten it to at least 95mm if not more. The angle right now is 6 deg so I'm thinking a shorter, higher stem? Or will a riser bar suffice?
Any advice or experiences greatly appreciated.
#2
Full Member

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 318
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From: on a leafy block
Bikes: Soma Double Cross, ‘79 Centurian Mixte, generic mountain bikes (Nasbar frames)
#3
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
How much more rise do you think that you need?
A riser bar won't give you much and it'll probably be wider so your back position won't be changed very much. Since the steerer tube has already been cut you can't add much (if any) spacer under the stem.
That leaves buying a higher angle stem. Picking the right stem is tricky because you have to consider the angle and extension together. If anything you'll probably want a longer extension than what you have now.
A riser bar won't give you much and it'll probably be wider so your back position won't be changed very much. Since the steerer tube has already been cut you can't add much (if any) spacer under the stem.
That leaves buying a higher angle stem. Picking the right stem is tricky because you have to consider the angle and extension together. If anything you'll probably want a longer extension than what you have now.
#4
I, too, suggest the b) option. What I did was get an adjustable stem such as this. You can use it to try to find the right angle, and (if you're too snobbish to ride a bike with it) buy a fixed stem with that angle.
I ride my bike with tha stem there. It has the advantage of making my bike more easy to ride by my wife, when she feels like. She just adjusts the angle a bit more upwards. Much easier than swapping stems. Besides, I am really not bothered by what people think of my bicycle.
EDIT: Adding a few headset spacers (if you can) is entirely cromulant as well.
I ride my bike with tha stem there. It has the advantage of making my bike more easy to ride by my wife, when she feels like. She just adjusts the angle a bit more upwards. Much easier than swapping stems. Besides, I am really not bothered by what people think of my bicycle.
EDIT: Adding a few headset spacers (if you can) is entirely cromulant as well.
#5
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 25
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I went through something similar with mine - I installed riser bars from a dew.
I had some problems with hand numbness, but then replaced the grips with ergo grips and haven't had any problems since. My commute is 7km one way, and I've had it out for a few 2.5h rides now with no more hand problems, and the bike is very comfortable.
If I was doing it again, I would probably replace it with a flat bar with bar ends or something like trekking bars so that I could have a more stretched out position every now and again.
I had some problems with hand numbness, but then replaced the grips with ergo grips and haven't had any problems since. My commute is 7km one way, and I've had it out for a few 2.5h rides now with no more hand problems, and the bike is very comfortable.
If I was doing it again, I would probably replace it with a flat bar with bar ends or something like trekking bars so that I could have a more stretched out position every now and again.
#6
Here's a pic a Fyxation shop in Missouri sent us with some riser bars on his PaddyWagon. Just to get an idea of how it would look.
https://www.fyxation.com/blog/whitewa...na-paddy-wagon
https://www.fyxation.com/blog/whitewa...na-paddy-wagon
#8






