| It seems odd to me that much of the design changes | | | | shaft that expanded against the inside of the steerer. |
| of the bicycle over the years can be attributed to | | | | Newer bikes use a slightly different system that does |
| bicycle racing. It seems odd for the simple matter that | | | | almost exactly the same thing. Basically if you loosen |
| most cyclists do not race. In the bike club I belong to | | | | the bolt that is on the top of the stem you should be |
| we now have over 100 members of which probably | | | | able to move the stem up or down which will increase |
| 20 are racers. Some of us old guys go to the Golden | | | | the height of the handlebars. |
| Olympics, but most of us wouldn't have a ghost of a | | | | Be extremely careful when raising the bar that you do |
| chance in a Cat 3 race. | | | | NOT raise them too high. Most stems have a minimum |
| There lies a problem though in that what is fast which | | | | insertion mark. Make sure that your stem is inserted at |
| is what a racer needs of course is not always the | | | | least that far in. If the bar still feels to low, go to your |
| most comfortable for the distance rider or the | | | | nearest bike shop and pick up a longer stem with the |
| weekend athlete. Many more of today's cyclists are | | | | same diameter. If there is no mark then make sure |
| distance riders or weekend warriors than are "racers" | | | | your stem is inserted at least 2" or 50 mm inside the |
| So while the bicycle racer will aim for the flat back | | | | fork. |
| with the belly on the top tube and leaning forward as | | | | If you don't insert it far enough and it either slips out or |
| far as possible to get the best aerodynamics from | | | | breaks off due to pressure on the handlebars, don't |
| himself and his ride, the much more common | | | | say you weren't warned. I have found that most bikes |
| recreational rider will opt for a more upright position on | | | | come with the handlebars set at the maximum height, |
| the bike. | | | | so if you want to raise the bars, you are probably |
| Long distance riders that spend many hours in the | | | | going to have to find a longer stem. |
| saddle but with much less speed than the racer will opt | | | | Some bikes come with what is known as a threadless |
| for a higher handlebar height. Sometimes getting a | | | | fork/headset. These threadless forks usually come |
| better fit for the rider and the type of riding involves | | | | with long steerers which can be cut to size for |
| not just an adjustment but also a parts replacement. | | | | different bikes. When you buy a new fork, just leave |
| You may find that what came with the bike is not | | | | the steerer full length even if you have a smaller |
| what fits you and that you need a longer handlebar | | | | frame and you will have room to make your stem high |
| stem to raise the handlebars or bring them closer to | | | | enough without any bike modifications, special tools or |
| the saddle, possibly both. | | | | anything like that. |
| Older bikes used a conical expander nut with a split | | | | |