Installing a new stem

[KnottedYet]

i wonder if there are a couple different kinds of Ritchey adjustable stems? The one on the Jamis I tried this summer was a 10-seconds with an allen wrench job, and instant comfort.

Literally, the shop chick loosened the bolt, moved the toothed meshing bits until the bar was where I wanted it, and then tightened the bolt.

Edit: BTW, I decided not to change out my stem yet.

[xeney]

Or we could have a defective one. The one we bought had obviously been returned by somebody.

Either way, I hated it. I need the bars closer, not higher.

[Kalidurga]

Literally, the shop chick loosened the bolt, moved the toothed meshing bits until the bar was where I wanted it, and then tightened the bolt.

That's how I assumed it would be adjusted.

I'm estimating that I need my stem to be 1-2 centimeters shorter, based on where my hands end up on the hoods. Getting the Ritchey adjustable at an 80mm length will bring it in .5cm, then I figure it'll only take a slight upward adjustment to get that additional 1cm or so if I need it. There don't seem to be many 75mm stems out there, and I like the idea of adjustability for different terrains. When I'm on the rough towpath, it could be more comfortable to have my hands up and in a centimeter or two. When I'm on pavement and want to stretch out a bit, I could put it back down to level and have the full 80mm.

Thanks again, ladies. It's good to hear both pros and cons for any product.

So, Knotted, why'd you decide to wait?

[xeney]

That is definitely not how this one adjusts -- you can't adjust it without removing it and reinstalling it, which I assumed was a safety feature. 45 degrees of adjustment also turned out to be less than it seemed like it would be -- if you need the bars a lot closer, it's not going to be enough. But if you only need a centimeter or so, and if you want them higher, it will probably help.

[KnottedYet]

So, Knotted, why'd you decide to wait?

I have the new bars, which does change my position somewhat.

As I was riding the 15 miles to the shop with the used stem for sale, I felt like the bike and I "clicked". And I felt kinda regretful about moving the bars. Like, "darn, I won't feel like this after I bring the bar in closer". So I looked at the used stem, and decided not to get it yet. Plus the guy was asking $25 for a used Nitto Technomic (not a deluxe) which costs $25 new.

Rode another 15 miles. No shoulder pain, no hand numbness, no neck pain.

I figured it just took me a while to strengthen something. The bar is where it's "supposed" to be for touring purposes, and it feels fine right now. Even though I generally like to be a bit more upright.

But, If it ain't broke, I ain't gonna fix (aka break) it.

[Kalidurga]

Actually, after today's ride, I've put a new stem on hold, too. When I was talking to the LBS guy who recommended my new handlebar, he commented that my saddle was all the way back on the rails. I thought nothing of it at the time, but today I remembered that I had marked the rails after my fitting. Sure enough, the saddle had somehow shifted back 1-2cm. So, I fiddled with it and noticed a big difference when I got back on the bike to continue my ride. My hands still sit a bit back from where I think they should be on the hoods, but they were in a good spot on the flats. Still couldn't play piano, but I was able to keep my elbows looser than usual.

I'll probably still get the Ritchey adjustable stem at some point (though I will definitely look at how it adjusts before I have it installed), but I don't feel as much urgency to spend that money now.

The one thing I do have to have fixed, though, is the angle of the hoods. One of them points slightly in toward the mid-line of the bike and the other points dead-on straight ahead. I just hate to ask the LBS tech to fix it, though, because he did an absolutely impeccable job of wrapping the bar tape

Knotted: What's up with the guy asking "new" price for a used item??

[KnottedYet]

Adjusting the brifter rotation in or out shouldn't change anything drastic for the tape. And you can do that yourself or have the shop guy do it. It'll take just a minute or two.

Do you have the Park Tool book? or go to www.parktool.com and look up your brand of brifter. You can loosen the clamp and move it then. Just be sure to flip the hood up off the tape so you don't drag on the tape when you rotate it.

I don't know why the $25 for the used stem. If it were a Deluxe, yeah, that'd be a good deal. Maybe he thought it was a Deluxe. I don't know. I didn't buy it, though. (and if I do decide to get one, I'll order myself a new shiney purty one!)