How to raise the handlebars on a bike

Why raise the handlebars on a bike

Optimum handlebar height is very important for a proper seating position and a comfortable, stress-free ride. In order not to numb your back, your knees and heel tendons do not hurt, you need to properly adjust the steering wheel by raising or lowering it.

The algorithm depends on the design of the steering column, so first we will deal with their types.

What are the types of steering columns and how to set them up

There are only two of them: threaded and threadless. The former were common in the past and are now found on old or budget and children's bikes. To understand that you have one, you can by the large nut on the steering cup, where the steering stem enters, as well as the bolt at the end of the stem.

Threadless steering columns are more modern and are now installed almost everywhere. They do not have protruding nuts, but are fitted with a pair of locking screws on the rider side stem. At the end of the rod there is a cover, which is pressed with another hexagon screw.

Threaded steering columns are much easier to adjust. To raise the steering wheel, just loosen the mounting bolt and pull the stem to the desired height.

With threadless ones, it's more difficult. If there are adjusting spacers above the steering stem, they can be rearranged down, which will allow you to raise the steering wheel by 5–20 mm. You can also flip the stem itself so that its oblique part looks up, thereby slightly increasing the height. And the most correct way to significantly raise the steering wheel is to buy and install a stem extension.

How to find the best handlebar height for your bike

Driving position - a matter of health and personal convenience, so you should focus on your own feelings. General recommendations are to maintain a 45° back angle to the road and a 90° arm to back angle. In this case, the arms should not be fully extended, but slightly bent at the elbows.

It is correct to measure and remember the height of the handlebar from the top of the stem to the column hub or ground before adjusting. This way you can go back to the previous “settings” if you don’t like something, or try a different height.

How to Raise the Handlebars on a Bike with a Threaded Headset

1. Prepare everything you need

• Wrench or hexagon;
• small hammer or pliers are optional.

2. Loosen the stem

Using a wrench of a suitable size and shape, unscrew the bolt in the center of the stem two or three turns counterclockwise. Sometimes the part is slightly recessed inside or covered with a plastic plug.

Do not touch the large nut that contains the stem itself. She is responsible for adjusting the fork, and not for the height of the steering wheel.

3. Free the wedge

Try to raise the handlebar - if the stem extends, then immediately proceed to the next step. However, most likely, the tube will not succumb. Inside it is a wedge attached to the end of the bolt you just loosened.

To release the stem, you need to move the wedge. To do this, lightly hit the head of the bolt with a hammer or pliers, or insert a hexagon and hit it with your hand or something heavier.

4. Raise the steering wheel

Now pull out the stem to the desired height, but not above the maximum mark. If the tube is tight, then stand in front of the bike, holding the front wheel between legs. Raise the stem by rotating it from side to side.

5. Lock steering wheel

Slightly tighten the fixing bolt with a wrench so that the steering wheel does not dangle, and set it straight, or rather strictly perpendicular to the front wheel. After that, finally fix the mount and make sure it is reliable: hold the front wheel between your legs and rotate the steering wheel around its axis. It should turn only with the wheel.

How to Raise the Handlebars on a Bike with a Threadless Headset

There may be several options here. The stem extension gives the greatest range of height adjustment, but this is a separate part that needs to be bought in addition. Therefore, first we will consider ways to work with what is.

Remove spacer

1. Make sure you have a spacer

This method will only work if there is at least one spacer above the stem, as in the photo on the right. If all the rings are under the stem, as in the photo on the left, it will not work to raise the handlebars of the bicycle in this way.

2. Prepare everything you need

All you need is hex keys of the right size.

3. Loosen the fixing screws

Using a wrench, loosen the stem clamp screws two to three turns, and then fully unscrew and remove the cover screw.

4. Remove the steering wheel

First, remove the stem cap and spacer, and then the steering wheel itself, along with the stem.

5. Install spacer

Put the previously removed ring on the stem and then the stem with the steering wheel. If there are several spacers, put the right amount depending on the desired height. Make sure that the brake and shifter cables are not tight, but have sufficient freedom.

6. lock stem

Put the cover on, screw in and tighten its screw, but not much.

To check the correct tightening torque, apply the brake and rock the rod back and forth in the direction of travel - if it dangles, then tighten it up more.

Then lift the bike so that the wheel is in the air, and lightly touch the handlebars - if it does not turn completely, but freezes, then the screw should be slightly loosened.

7. Fasten the handlebar

Align the handlebar perpendicular to the wheel, holding it between your feet, and tighten the stem pinch screws. Tighten them gradually and alternately with sufficient force, but without fanaticism.

flip the stem

1. Check if a coup is possible

Make sure the stem is slanted and pointing down, as in the photo on the left - then it can be flipped and increased in height. If the stem is straight or already turned up, then raising the steering wheel in this way will not work.

2. Prepare everything you need

From the tool you will need only hex keys.

3. Remove the steering wheel

Using a wrench, unscrew the fixing screws on the stem from the side of the steering wheel and remove it.

4. flip the stem

Loosen the cover screw and stem-to-stem screws, and then remove the part.

Flip the stem over so it's pointing up.

5. Install steering wheel

Replace the handlebar and fix it at the desired angle by clamping the stem mounting bracket with two screws. Tighten them alternately with sufficient but not excessive torque.

6. Lock Stem

Install the stem cover and screw the screw into it. Then make sure the handlebar is level and tighten the stem mounting screws. That is, do all the steps described in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the previous method (“Remove the spacer”).

Change the take-out angle

1. Make sure the stem is adjustable

To raise the steering wheel in this way, the stem on your bicycle must have a movable hinge that allows you to change the angle of the steering wheel and, thereby, its height. They look like the photo above.

2. Prepare everything you need

All you need is a hexagon of the right size.

3. Set the desired angle

Using a wrench, unscrew and loosen the screw at the bottom of the stem a couple of turns.

Increase the angle to the desired limit and fix the hinge by tightening the screw. Remember what division the take-out was before, so that if necessary, return to the previous settings or try others.

Install the stem extension

1. Prepare everything you need

• Stem extension with spacers and long screw;
• hexagons of the correct size.

2. Remove the steering wheel

Completely unscrew the stem cover screw and loosen the stem mounting screws two to three turns, then remove the handlebar together with the stem.

3. Install extension cord

Put the extension on the rod, then all or several spacer rings to achieve the desired height, and on top - the stem with the steering wheel. Make sure the brake and derailleur cables are long enough to not stretch after lifting. Otherwise, they will have to be replaced with longer ones.

4. lock stem

Install the long screw from the extension kit and tighten the cover. Not too strong, but not too weak either.

Apply the brake and rock the rod back and forth in the direction of travel - if there is play, slightly tighten the screw in the cover.

Align the extension so that its clip is behind the stem and secure by alternately tightening the screws.

5. Fasten the handlebar

Holding the front wheel between your legs, align the handlebar perpendicular to it and screw the stock stem onto the stem. Tighten the screws little by little and alternately for even tightening.

Make sure the steering wheel turns freely. To do this, raise the bike so that the front wheel is in the air, and then lightly touch the handlebars with your finger - it should rotate under the weight of the wheel. If this does not happen, slightly loosen the stem screw in the cover.