Need help converting to trekking bar!
03-26-19, 11:18 AM
#1
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Need help converting to trekking bar!
I have here a 1995 Univega Alpina 501 which will become my long haul touring bike for this summer. I need to put a trekking bar on it. The top tube is a bit long on this frame design; if I put a drop bar on it, I think it will hinder me more than anything. I measured the current handlebar where it clamps to the stem and it is exactly 1" in diameter. How do I match up a trekking bar to fit this stem? It is a Concept brand stem. Can someone embed a link to a trekking bar that will fit this bike?
03-26-19, 12:03 PM
#2
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If it is exactly one inch, you are looking for a 25.4mm bar at the clamp.
I have no experience, so I can't say the strengths and weaknesses of any bars, but I trust Velo-Orange and they have one: Dajia Cycleworks Trekking Handlebar
There are a number of them at Amazon.com if you just type in Trekking bar. Just make sure its for a 1 inch or 25.4mm clamp.
I have no experience, so I can't say the strengths and weaknesses of any bars, but I trust Velo-Orange and they have one: Dajia Cycleworks Trekking Handlebar
There are a number of them at Amazon.com if you just type in Trekking bar. Just make sure its for a 1 inch or 25.4mm clamp.
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03-26-19, 12:15 PM
#3
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Another Option is to get a Nitto "Dirt drop stem" which come in either 25.4 or 26.0 options to give you more options on bars and will help get the bars higher to so they can be level with or above your saddle, they are popular for converting MTBs to drop bars
03-26-19, 01:39 PM
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I'm not sure you'll be able to get an old-school MTB quill stem around all the bends of a trekking bar. The width of the clamp might not make it around the sharp bends to get to the clamp area of the handlebar. A threadless stem and quill adapter can be had cheap if they end up being required.
Also, the business area of trekking bars brings your hands back a bit closer. I eventually bought a longer stem for my commuter setup (first rode it with 120mm, then put a 140mm on, which is about the limit).
EDIT: One more thing - looks like that bike has a 1 1/8" headset. If you end up needing a threadless stem and adapter, look for one that comes with a shim for the larger fork steerer tube.
Also, the business area of trekking bars brings your hands back a bit closer. I eventually bought a longer stem for my commuter setup (first rode it with 120mm, then put a 140mm on, which is about the limit).
EDIT: One more thing - looks like that bike has a 1 1/8" headset. If you end up needing a threadless stem and adapter, look for one that comes with a shim for the larger fork steerer tube.
Last edited by Eric S.; 03-26-19 at 01:51 PM.
03-26-19, 02:52 PM
#5
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So I am not good with this part of bicycle mechanics. Could you help me out with sourcing the parts I would need on Amazon for the 1 1/8" threadless stem adapter? I also measured the size of the quill going into the headset and it measured 7/8".
03-26-19, 03:33 PM
#6
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There are numerous stem adapters available. I have a Profile adapter. It mounts in the 7/8 steering tube and allows the use of 1 1/8 stem with a handlebar clamp size of 31.8
03-26-19, 03:46 PM
#7
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R.J. The bike guy has a YouTube video covering just this topic. I watched it several times to make sure l did it right. It should answer most if not all your questions.
03-26-19, 03:52 PM
#8
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Will this work? It appears 22.2 mm stem and then the clamping portion is 24.5 mm
03-26-19, 04:16 PM
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I'm just guessing that your Univega has a larger 1 1/8" headset assembly; that stem would work fine but would still need a shim to work with a larger fork steerer tube.
03-26-19, 04:33 PM
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If you pull the current stem out it should have markings on the part that goes into the steerer tube which should tell you if that 22.2 stem you are showing from Amazon will fit. Measure twice order once 
03-26-19, 05:08 PM
#11
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You sir, are a Genious! I pulled out the quill and on the bottom engraved "22.2 mm" Going to order the one I screenshot above and a trekking bar.
03-26-19, 05:47 PM
#12
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I picked up a $20 Uno trekking bar for my High Sierra.
As mentioned, the area where your hands will mostly be puts your hands pretty close together.
I’d recommend those “ergo” grips- with a kind of platform for your palms.
I still haven’t gotten used to the trekking bars- but they are cool.
As mentioned, the area where your hands will mostly be puts your hands pretty close together.
I’d recommend those “ergo” grips- with a kind of platform for your palms.
I still haven’t gotten used to the trekking bars- but they are cool.
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03-26-19, 06:16 PM
#13
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I picked up a $20 Uno trekking bar for my High Sierra.
As mentioned, the area where your hands will mostly be puts your hands pretty close together.
I’d recommend those “ergo” grips- with a kind of platform for your palms.
I still haven’t gotten used to the trekking bars- but they are cool.
As mentioned, the area where your hands will mostly be puts your hands pretty close together.
I’d recommend those “ergo” grips- with a kind of platform for your palms.
I still haven’t gotten used to the trekking bars- but they are cool.
03-26-19, 06:53 PM
#14
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I have used Origin 8 stuff in the past and always liked it and for those trekking bars having a removal-able face stem is the way to go I think. Glad to help and Good luck with the project.
stable genius
03-27-19, 07:05 AM
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If the top tube is too long, I'd keep an eye out for a better candidate. `Rigid frame MTBs are easy to find here, in the mid 1980s, TT tended to not be as long. By 1990, they got longer and longer. Of course, every bike is different.
Done right, you can find a worthy replacement that fits better, and sell your current bike to break even.
Done right, you can find a worthy replacement that fits better, and sell your current bike to break even.
03-27-19, 11:58 AM
#16
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I've looked at that Origin 8 stem before. Has anyone seen similar options with more "neck" to get it up higher out of the steering tube? At my age the more upright position seems to be better and I want to convert a couple of my bikes to a taller stem.
I converted my Cimarron to trekking bars last year and it made a huge difference. Enough that I may be tempted to use them on road touring bike.
I converted my Cimarron to trekking bars last year and it made a huge difference. Enough that I may be tempted to use them on road touring bike.
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03-27-19, 12:21 PM
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I've looked at that Origin 8 stem before. Has anyone seen similar options with more "neck" to get it up higher out of the steering tube? At my age the more upright position seems to be better and I want to convert a couple of my bikes to a taller stem.
I converted my Cimarron to trekking bars last year and it made a huge difference. Enough that I may be tempted to use them on road touring bike.
I converted my Cimarron to trekking bars last year and it made a huge difference. Enough that I may be tempted to use them on road touring bike.
03-27-19, 12:27 PM
#18
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In my area these adjustable stems are all the rage (and everyone adjusts them skyward 
). But if you are not sure where you want to be, stem-wise, for about $15 they might be just the ticket.
). But if you are not sure where you want to be, stem-wise, for about $15 they might be just the ticket.
03-27-19, 12:36 PM
#19
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BTW, I used one of those, and trekking bars, for mrs non-fixie's first bike in many years, back in 2012. This is how she ended up riding it during a touring vacation western France at the time (and liking it):
The thing sticking out in front is a map holder, and yes, people who saw this pic before have asked me if I'd actually mounted a steering wheel on the bike.
The thing sticking out in front is a map holder, and yes, people who saw this pic before have asked me if I'd actually mounted a steering wheel on the bike.
03-27-19, 02:28 PM
#20
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If the reach to the straight bar is OK, to have the reach the same to the back of the trekking bar like that, you need a shorter reach stem.
leaving the same stem the sides will be that reach, the front further, and the back/open end where the brakes are , closer..
leaving the same stem the sides will be that reach, the front further, and the back/open end where the brakes are , closer..
