edik

While feeling sorry for myself in the desert of Iraq where I deployed in May 2011 I decided to treat myself to a really nice bike. After much research I settled on KONA Dr. Fine with 8 gear Shimano IHG which I liked a lot. I ordered my bike online and when I got home in December of 2011 the bike was already home. Two plus years later I'm facing the following problem:

This bike is too sporty for me, i.e. I'm leaning too far out forward and this is putting a lot of stress on my shoulders. Also, the handlebar is too straight and my wrists feel uncomfortable even after a short ride. I wish the ends of the handlebar twisted a little more inwards.

Alright, these are the option that I see for myself:

1. Sell my bike and buy another,
2. Change the handlebar to a one that would allow for higher upright position. This would probably also require that I choose another seat.
3. choice 2 plus exchange the front fork for one with spring suspension.

So what would folks with more experience recommend to a guy in my situation?

AlmostTrick

Are you sure your frame is the correct size for you? I suggest you seek help at the local bike shop. As long as the bike is the correct size, they can help make you more comfortable on it with a few changes.

I'd fiddle with the fit myself if it were me, (stems, grips, bars) but I have experience with this and it sounds like you don't. You'll likely save time and money by seeking professional guidance.

headloss 

Saddle should be independent from the handlebars... you shouldn't have to change anything, really.

What is the length and rise of the stem? It might be printed somewhere on the stem in mm and degree. If you need to measure the stem, measure the length from the middle of the top-cap bolt to the middle of the handlebars. A shorter stem is the most likely solution. If you want the handlebars higher, you need a stem with a steeper angle as well. You might be better off going to a local shop and getting some help with stem fitting.

You can add some hand positions with bar ends, I like the Ergon brand. That will also change the angle that you hold the bars from.

You may want to make the bars more narrow too, for a more comfortable position... hard to say, without seeing you on the bike.

A front shock is NOT a solution. You'll just waste energy and money and add weight.

quicktrigger

I'm no expert, but probable one thing you could do is try one of the descent adjustable stems. That way you can change the handlebars around (position and height) so that your reach changes. This may very well solve your issues after some trail and error with different positions. IMHO, this is where you need to start. Won't set you back big bucks, and will get you moving in the right direction whether is solves your issues or not.

QT

FarHorizon

Whooo boy - I just went through the exact same thing with my Kona Unit. The bike was the right size for me, based on stand-over height, but when i sat on the stock seat, I had to lean forward and too much weight was on my arms and wrists.

The cause of this is that the Kona MTB models are designed for out-of-the-seat climbing and descending. Their "Ultra-Compact Rear Triangle" (Kona's term, not mine) is designed to maximize power to the wheel while standing and stomping on the pedals. The Kona frame is also designed for FAST response so you can steer around obstacles while descending.

When sitting on the Kona MTBs, your knees are too far forward relative to the cranks. The only way I found to avoid this was by using a "lay-back seat post" with a more comfortable saddle for upright use. Of course, moving the seat back also put the handlebars ever further from me. So I changed to cow-horn bars with lots of sweep-back. They still weren't close enough until I reversed the stem and even then, the bike wasn't that comfortable.



So, long story short, I'm restoring my Kona to stock condition, selling it on Craigslist, and buying a bike that is comfortable to ride without all the modifications. Note that this is NOT to knock Kona - they make great bikes for specific purposes - but you need to make sure that both the purpose and the comfort are there before making that choice. I'm currently looking at Electra and Raleigh Cadent models for better comfort.

And by the way, thanks, @edik for your military service. It is respected and appreciated.

headloss 

I have a Kona Dew; your description doesn't sound anything like it.

jbchybridrider 

A picture showing the whole bike from the side would help us help you and your height.

FarHorizon

I've also owned a Dew. It is a far more relaxed geometry made for road use rather than off-road.

Wanderer

Exactly why I suggest everyone ride bikes from many different manufacturers. Geometry!

Every bike is different, even though similar. You have to find the one that fits you the best.

ONE, always stands out!

Pompiere

You may only need some small adjustments to your bars and/or stem to find a comfortable fit. If you have an angled stem, just flipping over may be enough to raise your bar enough for you. Adding bar ends would give an alternate hand position that may help. There are also other bars like trekking bars or moustache bars that have multiple hand positions. Going to a good bike shop can help you find the right fit without buying a lot of parts that don't work for you.

MRT2

I wouldn't give up. Simply raising the stem or switching out the handlebar for one with a slight bend might be just the thing. Velo Orange makes a bunch of handlebars both with and without rise that bend from 20 to a full 90 degrees back. https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...andlebars.html

You might want to take your bike to a bikeshop and see what they suggest.

fietsbob

Raise the Handlebars.

Or sell it and get a Crank Forward Bike https://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bike...creation/pure/

too steep a seat tube angle may only be cured witha frame with a shallow seat tube , though playing with seat post setback

thru parts swapping can Work .. set back seat posts .. the BMX one above -5- is an Extreme example.

headloss 

Dr. Fine is same as Dew? No?
Just trying to clear it up for the OP.

dynaryder

Pretty much,I've owned two Dews,a Fine and a Dr Good,and the only real differences were in the rear of the frame(dropout style).

+1 on trying different stems and bars. Note,with the hydro discs,swapping bars to something radically different like a townie bar will be more difficult due to the fact that you'll have to replace/lengthen the hoses.

a1penguin

You might be able to remove an inch or so from the ends of the handlebars to make them a bit narrower. Or replace the bar with a narrower one. A trip to your LBS for some help with mods are available might help you decide what your options are. If you sell this bike and purchase another one, you lose money on the deal. On the other hand, putting more $ into this bike and having it fail is also undesirable.

Without more detailed information, it's difficult to know if a different stem and bar cutting would be enough. These mods should be fairly inexpensive on the grand scale of costs.

The suspension is going to be big bugs if you could find a fork that would fit your bike. And I agree with the others that it would not be a satisfactory solution.

teicher

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest you sell the bike (as is, unmodified) and get a new one that you can test ride first. It's the only way you'll really be happy with the results.

I had a bike that fit the way you described, felt terrible after 1-2 hour rides. It was too long for me. It's hard to notice this when you are just test riding around the shop before buying. I spent lots of money and time trying different parts and tweaks but nothing really worked the way I needed to. One day I had a chance to test ride a Kona Dew (I know, irony) and it fit like a glove--shorter top tube, better stem position, etc. It was just the right thing for my body type. I bought one, sold my old bike, and only regret that I spent so much time and money trying to fix my old one instead getting a new bike and moving on. Riding is much more enjoyable now

practical

FarHorizon mentioned that he bought a bike using the standover height technique for sizing. This technique does not account for the length of the body from the waist up. This upper length determines reach and will affect comfort. I suggest using a simple technique of placing your elbow at the front point of the seat and reach for the handlebar. If you can reach the bar stem then the length of the bike will probably be right. Of course no system is perfect for every body.

edik

Dr Fine is supposed to be a hybrid road bike all the way, but I too, noticed that when pushing the pedal down it feels that I'm pushing a little back and not just down.

edik

Two pictures uploaded. I'm just under 6".

headloss 

Just short of 6' and riding a 53cm?? That sounds small for you. I think you definitely require some in-person experience to determine your needs. Issues with fit are really difficult to diagnose online.

dynaryder

Definitely. I'm 6' and my Dew Deluxe is a 61. I'm a touched stretched,but I like it. My Dr Fine was a 58,my Dr Good and my '08 Dew Deluxe were 56's. I felt the 56's were too upright for my taste.

SHOFINE

Hey edik,

I got my Dr. Fine about the same time as you. I'm 5' 9 1/2" and have the 53cm. I knew I wouldn't like them flat bars so I order the Metropolis Handlebars (45 degree bend) at the same time of the bike. At first I used an adjustable stem to give me a more upright position but have since put the original back on. These bars will definitely keep you from being so stretch out as I even had to get a Velo Orange setback seatpost. Also having the sprung Brooks Flyer saddle and fat 40mm tires makes it a most comfy ride!

edik

konaworld

edik

According to Kona's table, 53 cm supposed to be about right for 6".

edik

I love your Metropolis Handlebars. Will deffinately try them out before anthing else.