RoadWearier

Looks like there's One left? I'm guessing I'm going to have to buy a taller stem. Someone on here mentioned a 35 mm stem that was mentioned on the women's forum so maybe that would work. Any other suggestions?

The bike itself is great! For the price of a Wally World bike (less with tax!) I really like it. In a review it was labeled as a "Climbing bike" and I have to agree. There are quite a few hills I have to hit in my city just to ride around it and the compact crank set definitely helps. A .25 mile fairly steep hill follow by a right turn onto an even steeper hill was a real struggle with my steel 80's Capri and even the FX3 hybrid I had. With this bike the first part was a snap and the second part was doable.

Admittedly this is still an entry level bike weighing 26 pounds with pedals. Reviews weighed it at 21. The CF forks seem to help with the crappy roads somewhat. Sora Group seems to work fine. The prior owner seemed to have kept it running well. Shifts smoothly, no grinding.

​​​​​​I have no idea if it's the right size for me. It's a 56 and I'm 5'10 with a 33 ish inch inseam. So it should fit. Tomorrow I'm going to take it for a good 30 mile ride so I guess that will tell me something. I'd post pictures with me on it but last time I got a bunch of snarky comments so...not worth it. The local club has some great folks so maybe I'll ask them.

Anyway it's not a very common bike so I thought I'd post a little review with my question.

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bboy314

You can use a 35 degree stem (angled up) to get your bars higher. A stem riser may also be an option if the fork’s steer tube isn’t carbon.

RoadWearier

I looked online for the former option and couldn't find one. I'll look up stem riser

RoadWearier

How about this? Would this work?

Barry2 

Congrats on the new bike.

Barry

Leisesturm

I don't know how much higher you want those bars but IMO an adjustable stem is not the way. 35* of stem angle on a bike like that simply is not a good look. A stem raiser really is the way. I don't know about the carbon steerer limitation but it tracks with what is known about carbon. HTFU in that case, adjustable stems are not an option.

hidetaka

I think by the time we're choosing between +35* stem or a stem raiser neither is going to be a good look. Agree about adjustable stems being trash.

bboy314

One example: https://www.treefortbikes.com/Dimens...ss-Stem-35-Deg

Maelochs

How a bike looks to others should never be an issue. If the bike is more comfortable to ride with a certain set-up, go for it.

Stem risers ... i wouldn't use one with a fork with a CF steerer ... not sure if your fork is all CF or has a metal steerer ... In any case, move the one spacer down, which is free and easy, and then try a different stem ... cheap and easy.

When you are pedaling down the road, you won't even think about how random folks on the internet might think a bike should look.

shelbyfv

It appears you have an alloy steerer so you are safe to move that top spacer under the stem. Also, the bars are titled down so adjust them up so that the flats are horizontal. It's a relatively relaxed fit so that should be enough unless you are impaired in some way. Give it awhile. If you still feel the need to change something, a riser bar like the Surly Truck Stop is the least offensive of the several kludges.

bboy314

Good example of how aesthetics are very subjective. Personally I find the truck stop bar hideous, stem risers pretty ugly, and a 35 degree stem ok looking on a bike like this. Also by no means a kludge. But I’m all for any of these if it’s what works for the bike’s rider.

Iride01 

If you bought that bike at a shop, I bet they'd no for certain if that spacer can go below. And they'll probably move it for nothing if you just bought it from them new. Watch them and ask questions if they do move it. Then you'll have some free education for the future times you might want to DIY it yourself.

Even if you didn't buy the bike from a shop, if you have a good relationship with them then you'll be surprised how little if any it cost to get them to move it. Unless you don't have any of the LBS's that are run by the owner themselves that is also the mechanic.

Still not sure why you don't want to post in the Bicycle Mechanics sub-forum.

shelbyfv

All this and more already covered in OP's duplicate thread in "Fitting"....

alcjphil

If I were you I would also try rotating the bars so that the brake levers would be higher up. As they are now they are lower than the tops of your handlebar

Marvelousmarkie

Yup. Tilting them too far up isn’t attractive, but having the ramps flat is acceptable imo, and would give some extra height to the hoods.

shelbyfv

Here are some basics, straight from Shimano. https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/infor...your-ride.html