Do you want to increase the handlebars on your mountain bike but need to figure out how? It might be a complicated process if you lack expertise in repairing bikes or the necessary tools.
There are several ways to raise the handlebars on a mountain bike. These solutions depend on whether your bike has a threaded or threadless seam.
However, elevating the handlebar necessitates loosening the bolts that secure it, changing its height, and resecuring it.
Don’t worry; we’re here to simplify this seemingly tricky procedure!
Here we will go through all the methods required to raise your handlebars and ensure you feel comfortable riding up hills on your beloved mountain bike.
Why Should You Adjust Your Handlebars?
If you’re a cyclist, you know how important it is to adjust your handlebars for a comfortable and pleasurable ride.
Even if you have excellent riding posture, you may need to modify your handlebars for various reasons. Sometimes it’s just a question of personal choice; other times, it’s a matter of safety.
This section will discuss the critical incentives for making changes, ranging from comfort to speed optimization, and all the specifics you should know before beginning any work!
Here are some of the reasons why you might need to change your handlebars:
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1# To improve handling and stability
Handlebar height is a critical component of bike handling and stability and is considered a wise decision if you want to increase your bike’s handling and stability.
Setting your handlebars too high might result in an imbalance between the front and back wheels, making it easier to control your bike while climbing or cornering.
Positioning the bars too low might be difficult for extended rides over rough terrain.
Lowering your handlebar height creates a better center of gravity and places more weight over the front wheel for enhanced grip.
This also keeps you more balanced between both wheels, which improves bike handling at faster speeds, especially while descending a steep downhill.
2# Increase visibility and movement of the head
Mountain bikes are designed with a handlebar that is lower than the seat. One may have to lean down to operate when it is too low, limiting a good view ahead. In terms of efficiency, it will cost you speed and power because your head mobility is constrained.
A mountain bike rider should be in this posture to provide optimum visibility and grip, with a slight lean forward to accommodate your chosen center of gravity.
Raise the handlebar if you have a limited field of vision or if it is too low to use with complete control over yourself. A little dip may aid traction, but it should never come at the expense of adequate eyesight.
Improper eyesight may quickly become a liability to you and others. As a result, maintain a proper riding stance at all times to help limit the number and severity of accidents.
3# To Get the Best Bike Performance
Your mountain bike’s handlebars have a significant impact on its performance. They must be adjusted to give the rider the most control, which is especially vital while crossing rocky terrain.
Professional mountain cyclists know this and frequently select their handlebar size and type accordingly.
It was changing them out when it is judged required for either an improvement in performance or a better fit. It is critical that your handlebar be correctly fitted and in good shape.
After all, it will impact your trail safety more than anything else- so tweak away and keep your ride operating at optimum performance!
4# To Allow For Growing Children
Is your youngster interested in hiking? As a father, you face a significant risk when purchasing a bicycle size because a mountain bike may rapidly become obsolete for a child or teenager.
Most fathers, like you, will need to tweak the handlebar to keep these bikes usable for your child. To compensate for growing, kids may need to elevate the handlebar and the seat.
Handlebars should be elevated at least once yearly to guarantee your youngster can utilize the mountain bike. You may need to alter it more regularly, though, to accommodate your child’s pace of growth. Children from 8 to 12 years often develop quicker than those aged 12 to 16.
You may also need to modify your height as you get older. Those over 50 may need to lower the handlebar every third year or so to accommodate their decreasing height.
How to Raise Mountain Bike Handlebars
After examining why some riders may opt to elevate the handlebars of their mountain bikes, we will move on to the practical aspect: actually executing it.
Before attempting to elevate your handlebar, you must first ascertain the sort of mtb handlebar you have since this will influence the method to employ.
Flat Bar / Threadless Headset, Stem and Threaded Headset Stem or vintage mtb handlebars with bar ends are the most often used mountain bike handlebars.
You can undertake this challenge if you have one of these two kinds.
Understanding the type of handlebar gives you the knowledge you need for a successful handlebar lift: the procedures and methods you use to lift your handlebar alter dependent on this information.
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Threadless Headset Seam Raising Handlebars
If your stem is bolted to the steering tube, it is most likely of a recent threadless construction, to which this tutorial applies. Prepare for a simple installation procedure!
Prepare for the work by having the following tools on hand:
- A multi-tool or Allen key set
- A torque wrench or Torq key that has been pre-set.
- Spare spacers/stem (to use/replace)
In 7 Easy Steps, Adjust Handlebar Height With Spacers
- Step 1: Place your bike on a bike stand to secure it. You don’t want the bike to move when you adjust the handlebars. Ask someone to hold the bike if you need a floor-mounted bike stand.
- Step 2: Remove the top cap and the stem bolts with an appropriate-sized Allen key. This part will require a four or 5-mm Allen key.
- Step 3: Carefully remove the stem between the handlebars and the steerer tube. Unscrewing the clamp fasteners on the back should allow you to slide off- no effort is required, gently!
- Step 4: To modify the height of your handlebars, use spacers to increase or decrease the distance between the stem and the handlebar. Begin by adding a few spacers to increase room if you want to elevate the bars or remove spacers to decrease space if you want to lower the bars. You may adjust the handlebar height by adding or removing spacers as necessary.
- Step 5: Replace the stem, ensuring it is correctly aligned with the steerer tube and handlebars before tightening it with the Allen key.
- Step 6: Once you’ve reached the required height, ensure your front wheel is correctly aligned with the frame. Adjust as needed if it is not perfectly aligned.
- Step 7: Finally, tighten the stem bolts tightly with an appropriate-sized Allen key to guarantee a safe ride. If your handlebars are wobbly, adjust the stem clamp bolts and top cap to align them.
Only make quarter-turn adjustments until you find the right fit to guarantee a smooth rotation of the bars with no additional resistance – don’t overdo it!
Congratulations!
You have now successfully altered the handlebar height using spacers in 7 stages. Have a good time!
In 4 Steps, Raise Your Bike Handlebars Using A Stem Raiser
- Step 1: Loosen the clamp bolts to release the old stem. Remove the current stem from your handlebar or bike frame using an Allen key and hex wrench.
- Step 2: Attach a suitable stem riser for your stem and handlebars. Line and align the stem riser with the top of the handlebars. You can utilize a spacer only on top of the stem raiser or on both the top and bottom.
- Step 3: Place the current stem and spacer on top of the steam riser, ensuring good alignment with the handlebars. Spacers can be used to modify the height to your liking.
- Step 4: Double-check that everything is aligned correctly and that the stem height is adequate. Make sure your front wheel is parallel to the frame. Adjust as needed if it is not perfectly aligned.
- Step 5: Tighten the clamp bolts to secure your stem, careful not to overtighten or under-tighten them. You may need to adjust them numerous times before you are satisfied that they are adequately tightened. Check the tightness regularly and adjust as needed.
After you’ve accomplished these five procedures, your handlebars should be at a comfortable height for you. Have fun with your new handlebar arrangement!
Threaded Headset Seam Raising Handlebars
First, to raise the handlebars on a threaded-seam mountain bike, release the top bolt on the threaded headset seam. The continuous metal component can move up and down when the top bolt is removed.
Once that is done, use a wrench to loosen the locknut. Pull the stem free from the bike if you loosen it enough. Remember the position you want the handlebars to be in since you want to pull them out partially. Raise to the proper height for your needs.
Reassemble everything once you’ve figured out the fourth step. Replace the stem. Now is the moment to clean up any excess oil accumulated on the steam.
If there is insufficient grease, you may need to add some. You should be able to change the handlebars on your mountain bike from there.
How to Choose the Best Handlebar Adjustment
First, choose which handlebar size is ideal for you. The broader the bar should be, the higher your frame. Consider other elements, such as intended purpose and personal style preference, when making this option.
Finding the perfect handlebar height for cycling might be difficult, but there is a simple rule of thumb to follow. Aim to have your handlebars level with or up to three inches below your saddle at full climbing height – this will set you off to a good start!
Calculate the handlebar rise. This will tell you how much the handlebar is above or below your frame. Most handlebars have a rise of 100mm or four inches; however, depending on your height and intended use, you may want something different.
Calculate the handlebar sweep. This indicates whether it is turned back towards the rider at an inclination of up (upsweep) or out (back sweep). The angle of the sweep will affect your riding pleasure and control.
Check that the handlebar clamp fits the stem diameter of your frame. The most common dimensions are 25.4mm, 31.8mm, and 35mm.
Once you’ve decided on the best size, buy the right handlebar and mount it to your frame.
Take measurements of your present setup and confirm that any replacement bar will fit within these requirements to guarantee you receive the optimum fit for your mountain bike.
This will save you time when you have to make changes. With a few simple actions, you can ensure that your mountain bike’s handlebars are correctly set for optimal comfort and control.
Have fun riding!
The Bottom Line
So you now know how to lift the handlebars with only a spanner and an Allen key. You’ve also learned about its benefits and the most prevalent reasons for doing it.
It’s time to put everything you’ve learned in this guide on raising mountain bike handlebars into action. To elevate your handlebars, all you need is an Allen key, a wrench (for older mountain bike models), spacers, and some time.
Finally, when adjusting the handlebar, please do not follow your instincts and set it to the maximum or lowest height. Instead, choose the one that best fits you and your needs.
To maximize your time, test more than one posture, evaluating its benefits and drawbacks. If you remove anything from this site, I hope you enjoy customizing your bike.
