How to adjust bike handlebar height

If you bought a bike and for some reason feel the handlebars are too low, there are two options.
One is to raise the handlebars and the other is to wait for your body to adapt.
This article is for those who are not sure which one to choose.
Also, let’s find out how to adjust bike handlebar height when you try to adjust the height of the bicycle handlebar but it is not possible to adjust it to the desired height.

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Wouldn’t it be nice if the handlebars were higher? Would lower be better?

The height of the handlebars should be as low as possible.
Lower handlebars reduce air resistance.
However, considering the unacceptable factors,
The handlebars cannot be set too low.

The flexibility of the rider must be taken into account.

If the rider is young, flexible, and has good core strength, the handlebars can be lowered considerably.
But if you’re not flexible, you shouldn’t lower the handlebars.
This is because a handlebar that is too low puts too much strain on your lower back and adversely affects your discs.

You need to consider your riding style.

If you want to practice skills such as bunny hop and manual frequently while riding,
Or if you like the thrill of steep descents
The handlebars cannot be lowered.
Rather, you have to raise it a little more to maintain a stable posture.

What is the right handlebar height?

Measuring handlebar height doesn’t mean much in terms of absolute height above the ground.
A meaningful number is how low or how high relative to the saddle height.
If you look at the XC rider’s setup, the handlebars are set lower than the saddle.
On the other hand, trail riders set their saddles at about the same height as the handlebars.
Also, downhillers set the handlebars higher than the saddle.
Therefore, proper handlebar dimensions cannot be accurately calculated.
You need to find a point where you feel comfortable while modifying and riding.

Adjusting the height of the bicycle handlebars – if you want to lower the handlebars

So what if you want to lower the handlebars?

Adjusting using spacers

This is done by removing the spacer that is fitted under the “stem” of the handlebar and lifting it up.
The spacer is originally a part for adjusting the height of the handlebar.
You can lower the handlebars very easily by removing the lower ring and inserting it upwards.

Adjusting using the “Stem”

It is a very pleasant ending if you can adjust it using the spacer method above.
But there are many cases where this is not the case.
If there is already no spacer under the “stem”, the handlebar cannot be lowered.
In that case, you can use “Stem”.
If your bike’s “stem” is pointing up, you’re flipping it over. If the angle of the stem is 0 degrees and there is no up or down angle, you need to purchase a “stem” like the picture.

If it’s too high even with a “stem” like this,
You’ll have to find another way.

Using a low handlebar (low rise handlebar or flat bar)

Check that the handlebar you are using is not a riser bar.
If you are using a riser bar like the picture, you can lower the height of the handlebar by using a straight bar or mid riser bar.

Using an angle-adjustable “stem”

There is a “stem” that can adjust the angle like this.
If you use this “stem”, you can lower it further.
But I don’t ride mountain bikes with this “stem”.
I’m not sure about the strength check.
It seems to be fine for normal riding.

Adjusting the height of the bicycle handlebars – if you want to raise the handlebars

Raising the handlebars is the opposite of lowering them.
And there are several more ways.

Adjusting using spacers

This is how you fit the spacer under the “stem”.
In the case of this picture, “Stem” is put at the top, right?

Adjustment using the “Stem”

Similar to lowering the handlebars, you can use the “stem” to raise the handlebars.
If the existing “stem” is facing down, you are fitting the “stem” facing up.
If it was already put on top
You can buy a high angle “stem” and put it on.
It looks similar to the “stem” we saw in How to lower the handle above, doesn’t it?
If you put this same “stem” facing up, your handlebars will be taller.

Using a taller handlebar (high riser handlebar)

It is not uncommon for handlebars to have high risers fitted as standard.
It usually comes with a low riser or mid riser. .
Then, if your handlebars feel low, you can raise them by using a high-riser handlebar.
The image above is the lower riser handlebar.
The high riser is available up to 38mm for carbon or aluminum handlebars.
However, in the case of steel (chromoly), even higher 50mm rise handlebars are available on the market.

Using “stem” extension products

Please note that this method is also not recommended for mountain biking.
Simply insert a product like this in place of your old “stem” to elevate your handlebars. But the problem with this “stem” is that it doesn’t rise moderately, it rises very much, so it’s difficult to get the proper position, and we don’t know how durable it is.

change fork

If none of the above methods work, here’s what you can do.
If you end up using this method… it’s worth considering just changing the bike.

The part that holds the front wheel of a bicycle is called a “fork”.
The extension from this “fork” to your handlebar is “steerer”.
Cutting this “steerer tube” short is the root of the problem.
When you buy a new fork, these “steerer tubes” are ridiculously long.
Some people solve low handlebar problems by replacing the “steerer tube”.
Buy a new fork and cut it just a little bit to suit your taste.

However, the fork manufacturer does not guarantee durability when only the “steerer tube” is replaced.
If you buy a new fork, cut it a little bit to suit your taste, and use it, it will be a solution that eliminates the need for the “stem” and handlebars mentioned above.

If you mount the handlebars on this long “steerer tube”, it will look like the one below.

conclusion

Handlebar height is very subjective. If you don’t have any problems with a lower setting, lower is better.
However, low handlebars cause pain in the wrists, palms, shoulders, back, etc.
If you have problems setting the handlebar appropriately for you, you can set it by referring to the lowering and raising methods above.

These days most bikes are 29 inches.
The downside is that the handlebars are too high for female riders to ride.
So, in some companies, women’s bikes are released with 27.5 inch wheels
Or lower the handlebars like in the image below.

Lower handlebars on a 29″ bike: Pro Bike Check: Pro Bike Check: 2019 Nino Schurter & Kate Courtney’s new Scott Spark RC race bikes! – Bikerumor