Installing a new stem

[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!)