Installing a new stem

[Kalidurga]

Ok, Lisa's recent raving about her new short stem got me really paying attention to my handlebars. I do not feel like I could play piano while riding my bike. The new, highly recommended LBS tech that I talked to recently suggested I first try smaller bars, so I had him install a Salsa Poco bar. On the test ride this evening, I loved the ergonomic feel of the new bar, but still feel that it doesn't solve my problem. My hands still want to sit a centimeter or so back from where they should be on the hoods and flat of the bar.

So, I'm back to the idea of a shorter stem. I don't feel that I need to go much shorter, so I'm looking at a Ritchey Pro Road Adjustable in an 80cm length.

My question is: Is this an installation that I can do myself, or should I put it in the shop for this? The mechanics of it look simple enough, but I don't know if I'll need to use a torque wrench for tightening the headset or steerer bolts. Will a regular wrench do, or do these bolts need to be tightened with more precision?

[KnottedYet]

I'm doing the exact same thing right now!

Just put Salsa Short-n-Shallows on my bike on Wednesday, still trying to move my hands back, so I'm getting a taller stem with a shorter reach.

Mine is a quill (like LisaSH has), so it is a bit different than yours.

When I bought my bars, the LBS ( www.recycledcycles.com ) told me how to change them and told me to bring the bike in when I was done and they'd check my work.

They checked my work and said I did it right. I knew at that point I was still going to need less reach and more height, and I had a contact with a used stem that would fit. So I asked the guys to explain to me how to switch that (they did). After I do that, I will again take the bike in if I feel they should check it. Actually, I feel like I can do it myself ok and unless I'm really worried I probably won't bother them until my next "legitimate" shopping trip. (to buy tires)

Those Ritchie adjustable stems are very nice, especially for fussing with fit! I test rode a Jamis Aurora with one, and it was cool to have the bars instantly adjusted to my preference just for the test ride!

At least with the "modern" stem you won't have to unwrap half the bar and take off the brifter and work the bar through the stem and out to change anything.

Did you check the Park Tool website? I like their online instructions and I love their book. www.parktool.com

[xeney]

We just put that exact Ritchie stem on my road bike. (I hate it. I hope it works better for you.) You just need some Allen wrenches -- a 4, a 5, and a 6. The hardest part is actually adjusting the adjustable stem -- installing it was a breeze.

[Kitsune06]

Is this "I could play piano" thing supposed to even go for those on mountain bikes or in a more 'aggressive' position?

[DebW]

Installing a stem on a fork with a threadless headset means that you are adjusting the headset at the same time. Unlike a threaded headset and quill stem in which the headset is adjusted to the frame independent of the stem. Look under "headset" on the Park website for directions. Not hard to do, but you need to know what a properly adjusted headset feels like.

[Kalidurga]

Thank you, Knotted & DebW I read the article on threadless headset adjustment at Park Tool and it sounds about as I figured. I could probably do it myself, but I'd be paranoid the whole time of not adjusting it properly. Better to leave it at the shop and have someone with experience take care of this, just in case.

Those bearing retainers shown on the Park Tool site are cool looking. I wonder if anyone's ever considered making a ring or bracelet that looks like one...

xeney, can you be more specific as to what's difficult about adjusting the Ritchey stem? The mechanics of it, or determining the "sweet spot"?

Kitsune: The "playing piano" thing is from a quote I read recently. I think it was credited to either Merckx or Hinault and of course I can't remember now where I saw it. Not being an mtb'er, I don't know how much it applies, but I'd guess that the same general principle would be at work. The way I interpret it is that you don't ever want to have too much of your weight or too tight a grip on the handlebar. There should be enough lightness and looseness to your torso, arms and grip that you feel you could play piano. How much that applies to hucking a drop or threading a rock garden, I dunno.