head tube height? and stem length

[txred9876]

http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/244/824/contessa_speedster

This is the specs on my bike and I want to know if I can get a shorter stem and higher tube height.

Tina

[Eden]

While you can't change the size of the actual head tube (that is part of the frame) you can ask that the steering tube (part of the fork) be left longer- They are generally uncut when the shop gets them and cut to size when the bike is assembled. So it would have to be a new unassembled bike - once they are cut that's the end of it... (unless you want to replace the fork). Stems are easily interchangeable.

[Cataboo]

http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/244/824/contessa_speedster

This is the specs on my bike and I want to know if I can get a shorter stem and higher tube height.

Tina

you can put a shorter stem on it, it doesn't say how short it is currently - but if you go too short it does start to affect your steering.

you can get a higher angle stem which will bring the handlebars up higher, which might give you a higher tube height.

You can put a steerer extender on your bike to raise your tube height:
http://www.amazon.com/Dimension-Steerer-Extender-Black-Threadless/dp/B000GASQ00

(that's 1" and you probably need a 1 1/8" one)

[txred9876]

you can put a shorter stem on it, it doesn't say how short it is currently - but if you go too short it does start to affect your steering.

you can get a higher angle stem which will bring the handlebars up higher, which might give you a higher tube height.

You can put a steerer extender on your bike to raise your tube height:
http://www.amazon.com/Dimension-Steerer-Extender-Black-Threadless/dp/B000GASQ00

(that's 1" and you probably need a 1 1/8" one)

I think I might have used the wrong terminology.... I think what I want is a steerer extender and short stem. my bike fits pretty good but due to some other medical issues I am having some numbness in my left hand.

[Cataboo]

k. if you search around the site, there's a bunch of threads on hand pain - good hand position, carbon handlebars, gel padding under tape, gloves, moving your hands around, etc. If you've already tried those options, the steerer extender & a short stem will raise the handlebars. a higher angle short stem might just do that on it's own for you.

You can put a steerer extender, I don't know how short the stem is currently on your bike - but you may not want to go shorter than 70 mm, because it will change how your bike steers/handles.

[txred9876]

k. if you search around the site, there's a bunch of threads on hand pain - good hand position, carbon handlebars, gel padding under tape, gloves, moving your hands around, etc. If you've already tried those options, the steerer extender & a short stem will raise the handlebars. a higher angle short stem might just do that on it's own for you.

You can put a steerer extender, I don't know how short the stem is currently on your bike - but you may not want to go shorter than 70 mm, because it will change how your bike steers/handles.


I have lymphedema due to breast cancer and its getting aggrevated in my hand (another childhool injury on my left hand...also breast cancer side).

I have tried many different things and going from a hybrid to this bike has helped so I am just going to keep plugging away and see what I can do.

tina

[Cataboo]

[QUOTE=txred9876;456771]I have lymphedema due to breast cancer and its getting aggrevated in my hand (another childhool injury on my left hand...also breast cancer side).

I have tried many different things and going from a hybrid to this bike has helped so I am just going to keep plugging away and see what I can do.

tina[/QUOTE

Hopefully this will help. Would a compression glove for your hand/arm help?

[txred9876]

[QUOTE=txred9876;456771]I have lymphedema due to breast cancer and its getting aggrevated in my hand (another childhool injury on my left hand...also breast cancer side).

I have tried many different things and going from a hybrid to this bike has helped so I am just going to keep plugging away and see what I can do.

tina[/QUOTE

Hopefully this will help. Would a compression glove for your hand/arm help?

I have both of those ....but now that I have lost 43lbs my custom compression sleeve does not fit and I have not tried the glove by itself. I will have to dig it out and see what it does as well. I won't stop riding but by the end of of a 25-35 mile ride my hand has no strength and my pinky & ring finger are so numb I have to wait for many hours (if not until the next day) to get full use back. This sucks!
Tina

[smilingcat]

sounds like what you want is to be sitting more upright and less weight into your hands.

Once the steer tube is cut, that's it. But you can get a different kind of stem. Not necessarily a shorter one but with different angle. It can significantly raise the position of your handle bar and will do the same thing as a longer steer tube.

Having your hands going numb during a ride isn't safe. so ask your LBS for stems to raise the position of your handlebar. Also look at different style of handlebars. Some are more ergonomic than others. Winged bars (drop style) may give you more surface area for your hand to rest. They are not just for getting better aerodynamics. Again go ask a reputable LBS for their suggestion. Ask them, "I have issues with my hands going numb while riding..."

Hope this helps.

[aicabsolut]

I would go back to your doctor and ask if there's another kind of compression garment you can use or how else to deal with it. Having a doctor who knows a bit about bikes will help, but I would get a medical opinion first and then explain what you want to do about your fit to people at a shop to see if the new position is achievable.

[txred9876]

I would go back to your doctor and ask if there's another kind of compression garment you can use or how else to deal with it. Having a doctor who knows a bit about bikes will help, but I would get a medical opinion first and then explain what you want to do about your fit to people at a shop to see if the new position is achievable.

The only type of compression things out there are either over the counter or custom (like I have but don't fit). My insurance won't pay for another sleeve for a few more months and I don't have an extra 500 laying around.

I rode sat with no gloves/no watch. I didn't nearly have the issues I had been having so I feel they may have been at least part of the issue. Someone I was riding with said I had a very aggressive setup (handlebars below seat) and maybe talking to the guys at the shop might be something i need to do. I spoke with the manager and he put in a 90mm stem instead of a 100mm one as well as change the height by about 1.5 inches. I am going to take it out for a test drive after work.

[Cataboo]

The only type of compression things out there are either over the counter or custom (like I have but don't fit). My insurance won't pay for another sleeve for a few more months and I don't have an extra 500 laying around.

I rode sat with no gloves/no watch. I didn't nearly have the issues I had been having so I feel they may have been at least part of the issue. Someone I was riding with said I had a very aggressive setup (handlebars below seat) and maybe talking to the guys at the shop might be something i need to do. I spoke with the manager and he put in a 90mm stem instead of a 100mm one as well as change the height by about 1.5 inches. I am going to take it out for a test drive after work.

Changing the stem sounds great - if you have to, you could use a headtube extender. I think a few people on here with back pain use them.

I know that you can buy compression socks in kmart, I don't know if you could maybe buy a small compression sock, cut off the bottom or toes, and make a compression sleeve that you could pull up on your arm? Or if you could get some of those compression stockings they put on people when they're about to have surgery - a small one for a child might work on your arm.

I have wrist issues while riding and actually never wear a watch anymore because of the issues... However, gloves are great if you fall, because sanding the skin off the palm of your hands hurts. I use pearl izumi gloves because they stop just above the wrist, so when you tighten them, they don't constrict on the wrist. They do have gel padding that is supposed to help with wrist or hand issues, but it actually makes my hands go numb much quicker, so I always rip the padding out of them.