Handlebar Height

[Pete]

On my just acquired bike, a Synergie Mistral, I need to raise the saddle substantially to get a good position so I can pedal reasonably efficiently without ruining my knees. The problem is that on these new-fangled (to me) fixed headsets there is no means of adjustment and the result is a fairly uncomfortable position with too much body weight on my arms. Could anyone tell me how I can deal with this? I need to raise them by around 4-6 inches I would think. I have already rotated the bars to maximise the effect of the bend in the bars but it is still nowhere near.

Thanks

Pete

 

[flecc]

Riser bars is one solution Pete, I use a riser bar upside down on one of my bikes to solve the opposite problem, getting lower. Here's a selection of riser bars, the cheaper ones are on the later pages:

Riser bars at SJS

This extreme one on their last page is only £9.99. Raleigh riser.

and here's my upside down one:

 

[Mussels]

Your saddle angle can affect the weight on your arms as well. If the nose is down try bringing it up a bit and see how it feels.
I started initially with handlebars up high (On my Wisper it's adjustable) but found after a while that the lowest setting was the most comfortable along with the classic razor blade saddle.

 

[Pete]

Thank you both, two solutions for the price of one!

Pete

 

[rustic]

Hi Pete,

Strangely enough I just took my new Alien bike into the workshop today for the exact same reason. I think the height difference was about 5-6 inches between my saddle & handlebars (see attached pic) - way too painful for me to ride like that for any length of time. The guy in the workshop proposed fitting a 'stem riser' for about £20, if that does not do the trick then I may need to also add the riser handlebars as displayed above by Flecc. In all honesty this just wasn't a problem I had anticipated before placing my order. Good luck in getting it sorted.

 

[Pete]

No me neither, I hadn't realised the frame would be fairly small. In fact it was a toss up in the end between the Alien and the Synergie Mistral and I was leaning towards the Alien at one point as he makes mention of a larger than usual frame. You seem actually to have a bigger problem than me I don't think the difference in height is so great on mine, unless the angle of the photo exagerates yours a bit. Lets know how you get on.
Pete

 

[rustic]

At 6' 5" tall - frame size was a major issue for me. If I remember rightly the Alien has a 21" frame whereas the Mistral has a 17" frame.

All things considered, even if I spend an additional £50 to raise the handlebar height through stem raise, new handlebars & re-cabling etc..., I still think the Alien represents very good value for money & I'm delighted with my purchase.

The bike comes back on Wednesday & I can't wait to get out on it properly

 

[Pete]

I thought your seat was a long way up, at 6ft 5" it needs to be. I will be interested to hear how you rate the Alien, because as I said I was tempted by it and might still try one of their kits for my other bike.
Pete

 

[rustic]

I thought your seat was a long way up, at 6ft 5" it needs to be. I will be interested to hear how you rate the Alien, because as I said I was tempted by it and might still try one of their kits for my other bike.
Pete

Hi Pete,

I got my bike back from the Streetlife cycles workshop in Sudbury earlier today, they've done a fantastic job with fixing a stem raise on the handlebars, re-cabling, as well as adjusting the angle of the bars giving an extra 4-5 inches I reckon, as you can see from the two attached photographs, it is a big improvement and I can finally start getting some proper use out of the bike.

I will post a full review in the coming months, if you are local you are more than welcome to pop over & try it for size / suitability.

All the best, Rus.

 

[Pete]

Yes, it looks like a good job and the bike looks much more in balance now. The paintwork looks decent, does it seem as if it will last? I might have a job for a decent bike shop but I am still trying to find one. The main one here deals only with fast Road bikes and won't even stock parts for more down to earth bikes. Quite arrogant with it as well. He has frames in stock that cost more than my car!

Is that Sudbury not far from Ipswich? If it is I might take you up on your offer to try out your bike. I live near King's Lynn, not a million miles away and I have a son who lives just outside Cambridge. Right now because of some problems I am having with my Mistral I am thinking I might have been better off with the Alien.
All you want now is a bit of decent weather.
Pete

 

[rustic]

Yes, it looks like a good job and the bike looks much more in balance now. The paintwork looks decent, does it seem as if it will last? I might have a job for a decent bike shop but I am still trying to find one. The main one here deals only with fast Road bikes and won't even stock parts for more down to earth bikes. Quite arrogant with it as well. He has frames in stock that cost more than my car!

Is that Sudbury not far from Ipswich? If it is I might take you up on your offer to try out your bike. I live near King's Lynn, not a million miles away and I have a son who lives just outside Cambridge. Right now because of some problems I am having with my Mistral I am thinking I might have been better off with the Alien.
All you want now is a bit of decent weather.
Pete

The paintwork looks first class, I really was surprised by the quality of it when it first arrived. The difference raising the handlebars has made is enormous, I would really recommend that type of modification to anyone struggling with the same issue - it makes the bike so much more comfortable to ride.

Yes, I'm 8 miles outside of Sudbury - Please feel free to PM me if you are ever over this way & fancy a test ride on the bike. Best wishes, Rus.

 

[Pete]

Thanks Rustic, If I am going over that way to Cambridge anytime soon I will pm you to see if it is convenient.
Pete