How to raise handlebars? - way beyond spacers LOL

[hilldweller]

Hi there all you bike experts. I'm going to discuss this with lbs obviously but would be interested in your thoughts beforehand. Had a session with a physio yesterday about shoulder/neck pain that kicks in after about 45mins on the bike. The problem is with the body, not the bike, and is going to require some concerted effort over a few months to build strength and correct some postural issues - apparently I'm supporting my upper body with all the wrong muscles. In the meantime, however, the physio wants me to raise the handlebars by several inches so that they're up higher than the seat. It's going to look and feel pretty weird, but with luck I'll be able to slowly ease them back down to where they should be.

So anyway, the current set-up has spacers that allow for only about 3cm of movement up or down, and I already have a stem that tilts upward. What are the options for raising the bars on a roadbike further so that I sit more upright? The bars themselves are fine.

Any advice would be much appreciated. TIA :)

[pinkbikes]

Well this might sound like a silly idea, but I was at a bike shop today looking at a shorter stem for my tandem. There was a stem there with a pivot in the middle of it.

I assume it is more for hybrids and tourers and the like, but if it has the right diameters in the right places (for your headset and bars) it would allow you to kink it upwards as far as it will go and then gradually lower it until it is equal to the angle on your existing one and then swap it back in.

It was an inexpensive brand (BBB) and I don't know if you have it in the USA but I'm sure there would be an equivalent?

[Kalidurga]

My bike fitter installed a stem extender below my bars because I also had neck/shouler issues. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but it gives me more of a touring fit and makes it so much easier to ride.

[Thorn]

Look for something like this:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1033119_-1_20000__20003

I put this on my winter bike. Raising the bars that much, though, may require you to change the cables as they may not reach any longer.

[hilldweller]

Thanks for the posts on this - made me feel more confident when approaching the lbs this week. Anyway, bike now has a stem extender thingy that puts the bars a bit higher than the seat. It looks somewhat giraffe-like with a whole stack of extra spacers :eek: but wow what a difference! The neck pain is still there but I was able to go about an hour further before reaching the point where I had to stop and stretch :D That's a BIG step forward :D:D:D.

If all goes to plan I should be able to gradually remove the spacers over the next few months as muscle strength and posture improves. Woohoo I might be able to do long rides next (southern hemisphere) summer :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D