Riser Stem?

[Catrin]

Does this look like a riser stem? To me it looks like a solid unit, but wanted to see what others think. I am willing to try raising my bars a bit, but this looks to me like it isn't a riser, or that I need a taller one. Here are two views..

[Becky]

Yes, it does to me. It's a non-adjustable riser stem. There are adjustable ones out there, but I'm not a fan. You have to get the "hinge" bolt wicked tight, or run the risk that it shifts on you at the worst time. And I'm not sure that an adjustable would go much higher than the stem that you have now.

What exactly are you looking to change with regards to fit?

[Catrin]

Yes, it does to me. It's a non-adjustable riser stem. There are adjustable ones out there, but I'm not a fan. You have to get the "hinge" bolt wicked tight, or run the risk that it shifts on you at the worst time. And I'm not sure that an adjustable would go much higher than the stem that you have now.

What exactly are you looking to change with regards to fit?

My bars seem a little too low and this is causing problems with neck/back and the ability to move my hands to get to the bar-end shifters. My arms are flexed and hands relaxed, so it isn't from a death grip (I have arthritis in my hands so I know when I am holding on too tightly - it is PAINFUL). Of course some of this is from being a new rider, but not all of it.

A proper fitting will be done, but I have to wait until I get more miles on the bike. For now I will try lowering my seat-post a bit - which is a short-term solution but hopefully will help. Am also considering calling the LBS and begging them to forgo the 150 mile requirement for a full professional fitting...

[OakLeaf]

Mmmmmm... from the picture, and not seeing you on the bike, your bars are very high.

I'd go so far as to say that if those bars are too low, the frame is too small for you. I really hope that isn't the case, since I know the effort you went to in getting something the right size.

It's actually possible that the bars are too high. I wish I could give credit where credit is due... but I don't remember who it was. Someone just gave a really excellent illustration of this... Get on your hands and knees and feel how much weight is in your hands and shoulders. Now, shift your butt back towards your heels and feel how much less weight is in your hands, even as the horizontal distance between your hands and your butt gets longer. There are postures where it's very difficult for your core to take the weight, and postures where it's easy. One of the objects of fitting is to find where that's easy.

[indysteel]

I guess I don't really understand why the bar end shifters are hard to use, even if they're low. You should be able to comfortably reach for your water bottles, which are much lower than your bars. Granted, I've never used bar end shifters, but I have to wonder if this is more a function of your general comfort level on the bike. As Oakleaf suggested in another thread, you're learning a lot in a short period of time.

And I agree that your bars seem high. Believe or not, your front end stability may have more to do with how your saddle is set up now. I agree that you may have too much weight in your hands, but raising the bars won't necessarily remedy that. Trust me on this.

Maybe I can see you on the bike if we get together for a ride.

[ny biker]

What picture are you alls looking that such that you see the bars are too high?

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Never mind. I thought the stem in the photos in the first post was not already on Catrin's bike, but I guess that is the bike in question.