Going more upright on my MTB?
 

Hello all,

I have an old 2001 Trek Fuel 80 full suspension mountain bike that has been sitting for years. I want to get back on it but want to get the riding position more upright. Primary use for the bike would be to install a front mount baby seat and cruise around the neighborhood or local flat trails - no aggressive "mountain biking." Would I be able to accomplish that by changing the handlebar stem to something with a different angle and handlebars to something with more of a rise? If so, any suggestions on parts? Do I need to change the headset too? Thanks in advance!

Here's its stock component specs (I'd post a pic but don't have 10 posts yet):

Brakeset: Aluminum linear-pull brakes, aluminum linear-pull levers
Shift Levers: Shimano Alivio RapidFire Plus
Crankset: Shimano Alivio, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals: Aluminum ATB
Rear Cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Seatpost: Bontrager Sport
Saddle: Bontrager FS 2000
Handlebar: Bontrager CrowBar Sport
Handlebar Stem: Bontrager Sport
Headset: 1 1/8inch threadless Dia-Compe STR

Hi. Yes, you can install a higher rise stem and different bars. As an alternative, you can install a threadless stem extender, which essentially raises the mounting point of the stem. This would probably be the least expensive option. You might go for that and an adjustable stem -- that would permit you to raise the basic mounting point AND also fine-tune the stem angle, without having to replace the handlebar itself. That would be the most involved (because you'd have to move all the controls), but it can certainly be done.

Good luck!

You might want to change the tires out to something less aggressive (I'm assuming a full suspension mountain bike has aggressive knobby tires) if you are going to be using it on flat trails and pavement.

They will roll better and just be easier to pedal forward on

For the type of riding you are suggesting you shouldn't need to spend a ton of money of t really good tires to get something more comfortable/easier to ride on. Anything with a smoother tread should be more comfortable on pavement and hard packed trails.

Very good points and suggestions. Thank you both for the input.

.... and expect you need to replace all the cables to reach that more comfortable upright position..

time consuming , but not difficult with right tools ....

Following up: I picked up a used front mount child seat (Yepp Mini) with the ahead adapter and there's just not enough clearance between the kid seat and myself in the bike's current position (I expected this anyway). So, I've been thinking about it and want to do the following to this old Fuel to get rider position more upright and doable with the front mount bike seat:

-change to a taller handlebar, something like the Deity Highside 760 80MM rise bar
-maybe change the stem to something with a greater rise angle (if the handlebar above doesn't get me where I want to be)
-replace brake and shift cables (to lengthen and because the old ones are sticky)
-change to a more comfortable saddle, something wider with gel
-change knobby MTB tires out to something a little more road and gravel friendly

I roughly priced this all out to about $300. The alternative is buying something like a Cannondale Treadwell or Trek Verve for about $700 - $800. Any reason this $300 wouldn't be well spent on this bike?

Thanks!

300 will get you a pretty nice hybrid at that component level.

Another $80 will get you a brand new and very upright Giant Sedona.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/sedona

Ended up making the above changes and very happy with the bike as a bike to ride around with the kid on the front mount seat. Works great.

Got any photos of the new arrangement?


I'm doing many of the same alterations, with a '90s vintage Trek 970. Going back to a rigid fork, which gives a taller steerer; considering a shorter stem with sharper upward angle; handlebars with greater rise and sweep; and a saddle more appropriate for more-upright riding position. Makes a great deal of difference in the riding position, as compared to the flat-bar, aggressive/athletic forward position of the original.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c60d1c99.jpeg
Upright bars with more pullback will get you there. Here’s my Rockhopper with north road bars.