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Steer Tube Extender Question

Started by James Fitch · · Last activity · 23 posts · 901 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
24 February 2007
Last activity
25 February 2007
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James Fitch
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  1. As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube extender
    (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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  2. Quoted message said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube
    extender (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my
    steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer tube.
    Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a 35 degree
    upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and you're now a
    "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new bike with a
    more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road bikes with taller
    front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the Pilot series.

    But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a fork
    that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or 4cm (on 1
    1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were to fail on you.
    (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from the FAQ on their website)

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

  3. James Fitch said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube extender
    (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    Can't really help with your original question, but am interested in
    your experience with the fit process at UCD Sports Medicine. Can you
    elaborate more on that experience? Did you just select the basic
    fitting or did you choose the SRM evaluation too? What in particular
    made you choose them over a fit at "some" LBS?

    Just wondering if I should get fitted there or not myself. Thanks!

  4. If you're thinking of switching bikes, look at a Calfee. A Luna frame
    retails for $1500. For a $100 upcharge, you can add a head tube
    extension from .5cm to 4cm and beyond. (Seat tube extensions are also
    available for another $100.)

    One common thing that's done when a top tube needs to be shorter in
    relation to the seat tube is to get a frame one size smaller and add
    the extensions.

    Mike Jacoubowsky said:
    Quoted message said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube
    extender (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my
    steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer tube.
    Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a 35 degree
    upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and you're now a
    "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new bike with a
    more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road bikes with taller
    front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the Pilot series.

    But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a fork
    that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or 4cm (on 1
    1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were to fail on you.
    (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from the FAQ on their website)

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReactionBicycles.com

  5. James Fitch' jfitchatnapannetdotnet said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube extender
    (such as found athttp://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----http://www.newsfeeds.comThe #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

    Perhaps the frame is too small? A sloping top-tube frame might allow a
    much higher stack height without having to opt for any non-standard
    type equipment or strange sizes. Bianchi and Trek have some comfort-
    type race bikes that look pretty good that have taller stack heights
    for a given size than more standard bikes.

    That said, I'd buy the $16 extender and give it a try. I'd go easy on
    it but I'd use it to try the position the fitters recommended. If I
    felt they position was good, I'd look to some permanent solution.

    Joseph

  6. "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube
    extender (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my
    steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer tube.
    Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a 35 degree
    upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and you're now a
    "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new bike with a
    more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road bikes with taller
    front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the Pilot series.

    But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a fork
    that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or 4cm (on 1
    1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were to fail on
    you. (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from the FAQ on their
    website)

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender isn't
    exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a steer tube
    any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist, which is why I
    asked. I agree that a steer tube failure is to be avoided at all costs.
    Maybe I should ask Reynolds what they think. I'd like to avoid the expense
    of a new bike, or even a new fork, if possible. However, it may come to
    that...

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

  7. <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    James Fitch' jfitchatnapannetdotnet said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube
    extender
    (such as found
    athttp://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my
    steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet
    News==----http://www.newsfeeds.comThe #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
    120,000+ Newsgroups
    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption
    =----

    Perhaps the frame is too small? A sloping top-tube frame might allow a
    much higher stack height without having to opt for any non-standard
    type equipment or strange sizes. Bianchi and Trek have some comfort-
    type race bikes that look pretty good that have taller stack heights
    for a given size than more standard bikes.

    That said, I'd buy the $16 extender and give it a try. I'd go easy on
    it but I'd use it to try the position the fitters recommended. If I
    felt they position was good, I'd look to some permanent solution.

    Joseph

    An interesting idea. Or possibly dial it in with an adjustable stem. I note
    that there are outfits that make custom stems, once the exact parameters can
    be determined.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

  8. "damyth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    James Fitch said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube
    extender
    (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my
    steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    Can't really help with your original question, but am interested in
    your experience with the fit process at UCD Sports Medicine. Can you
    elaborate more on that experience? Did you just select the basic
    fitting or did you choose the SRM evaluation too? What in particular
    made you choose them over a fit at "some" LBS?

    Just wondering if I should get fitted there or not myself. Thanks!

    It was a very interesting experience. I went there because my wife gave me
    their season cycling package for Christmas. That includes the fit, as well
    as evaluating VO2 max, lactate threshold, SRM evaluation, and 3 training
    consultations, for $500. If you're curious about any of these things and
    have the spare cash, I recommend it.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

  9. "James Fitch" <jfitchatnapannetdotnet> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no
    longer likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD
    Sports Medicine folks. They recommended, among other things, rising
    the handlebars and shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to
    achieve their recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds
    Ouzo Pro fork with a carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with
    fitting a steer tube extender (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on
    my steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer
    tube. Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a
    35 degree upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and
    you're now a "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new
    bike with a more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road
    bikes with taller front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the
    Pilot series.

    But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a
    fork that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or
    4cm (on 1 1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were
    to fail on you. (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from
    the FAQ on their website)

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist,
    which is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a
    higher stress level.

    Quoted message said:

    I agree that a steer tube failure is to be avoided at all costs. Maybe
    I should ask Reynolds what they think. I'd like to avoid the expense of
    a new bike, or even a new fork, if possible. However, it may come to
    that...

    I question the drastic change in geometry. What worked before shouldn't
    require too much of a change to make it more comfy.

    Phil H

  10. James Fitch said:

    As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no longer
    likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD Sports Medicine
    folks. They recommended, among other things, rising the handlebars and
    shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to achieve their
    recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork with a
    carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with fitting a steer tube extender
    (such as found at
    http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on my steer
    tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    All comments gratefully received.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
    http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----


    What about flipping over your existing stem?
    Wouldn't that take your bars up and closer?

  11. Phil Holman' piholmanc@yourservice said:

    "James Fitch" <jfitchatnapannetdotnet> wrote in message

    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    > As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no
    > longer likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD
    > Sports Medicine folks. They recommended, among other things, rising
    > the handlebars and shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to
    > achieve their recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds
    > Ouzo Pro fork with a carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with
    > fitting a steer tube extender (such as found at
    >http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on
    > my steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer
    tube. Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a
    35 degree upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and
    you're now a "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new
    bike with a more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road
    bikes with taller front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the
    Pilot series.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a
    fork that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or
    4cm (on 1 1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were
    to fail on you. (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from
    the FAQ on their website)

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

    Quoted message said:

    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist,
    which is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a
    higher stress level.

    Quoted message said:

    I agree that a steer tube failure is to be avoided at all costs. Maybe
    I should ask Reynolds what they think. I'd like to avoid the expense of
    a new bike, or even a new fork, if possible. However, it may come to
    that...

    I question the drastic change in geometry. What worked before shouldn't
    require too much of a change to make it more comfy.

    Phil H

    Yes, I'm a bit skeptical too, unless your current position is
    drastically low. Any measurements? Like what is your seat height, seat-
    to-bar drop and nose of saddle to bar reach? Do you have a reasonably
    normal body?

    Joseph

  12. <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Phil Holman' piholmanc@yourservice said:

    "James Fitch" <jfitchatnapannetdotnet> wrote in message

    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...
    >> As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no
    >> longer likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD
    >> Sports Medicine folks. They recommended, among other things, rising
    >> the handlebars and shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to
    >> achieve their recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds
    >> Ouzo Pro fork with a carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with
    >> fitting a steer tube extender (such as found at
    >>http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on
    >> my steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    Quoted message said:

    > I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer
    > tube. Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a
    > 35 degree upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and
    > you're now a "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new
    > bike with a more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road
    > bikes with taller front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the
    > Pilot series.

    Quoted message said:

    > But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a
    > fork that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or
    > 4cm (on 1 1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were
    > to fail on you. (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from
    > the FAQ on their website)

    Quoted message said:

    > --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    >www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

    Quoted message said:

    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist,
    which is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a
    higher stress level.

    Quoted message said:

    I agree that a steer tube failure is to be avoided at all costs. Maybe
    I should ask Reynolds what they think. I'd like to avoid the expense of
    a new bike, or even a new fork, if possible. However, it may come to
    that...

    I question the drastic change in geometry. What worked before shouldn't
    require too much of a change to make it more comfy.

    Phil H

    Yes, I'm a bit skeptical too, unless your current position is
    drastically low. Any measurements? Like what is your seat height, seat-
    to-bar drop and nose of saddle to bar reach? Do you have a reasonably
    normal body?

    Joseph

    I'd been having some trouble with tendonitis in my elbows and ulnar nerve
    hand numbness, particularly on the left side even before I increased my
    mileage. As my mileage increased, this got significantly worse. I was
    starting to train for a 1000 mile in 10 day event this summer and was
    concerned about riding high mileage day after day. When I saw the folks at
    UCD, I explained this to them, and told them I wanted the bike fitted to
    permit me to survive this event and feel good about it. They watched me ride
    on their Serotta fit cycle and adjusted things until they were happy with
    the fit, then compared it with my bike. It felt OK to me, but without riding
    for a few hours, I couldn't say whether it was better or worse, just
    different.

    They only increased my seat height by 6mm (from 800 to 806). No problem.
    They moved the saddle back 1cm. Also no problem. The big changes were in the
    drop and reach. They recommended the drop be reduced from 5cm to 1 cm, and
    the reach be reduced from 57cm to 54 cm. Thus the stem acrobatics. I had
    already expected that the drop and reach would be changed -- I just didn't
    expect this much. I do want to try it, and see what it feels like, see how
    it works, without spending a ton.

    The previous stem was 110mm with a 6 degree rise, and could go no higher. It
    looks to me like it will take a 90mm stem with a 35 degree rise to even come
    close to the recommendations. They exist, but I really don't like the look.
    The current stem already has an inch of spacers, so no room for more.

    -Jim

    ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
    http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
    ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

  13. James Fitch said:

    <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Phil Holman' piholmanc@yourservice said:

    "James Fitch" <jfitchatnapannetdotnet> wrote in message

    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...
    >> As I've aged (and retired and been able to ride more), my body no
    >> longer likes my bike. I got a professional fit done by the UCD
    >> Sports Medicine folks. They recommended, among other things, rising
    >> the handlebars and shortening the reach. The stem angle necessary to
    >> achieve their recommendations is absurdly steep. I have a Reynolds
    >> Ouzo Pro fork with a carbon steer tube. Are there any problems with
    >> fitting a steer tube extender (such as found at
    >>http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SM1977) on
    >> my steer tube to achieve the necessary rise?

    Quoted message said:

    > I'd switch forks before using one of those gadgets on a carbon steer
    > tube. Much better idea to get something like the Torelli stem with a
    > 35 degree upward angle. If that isn't enough to do the job, and
    > you're now a "professional" cyclist (retired), I'd look into a new
    > bike with a more-appropriate fit. Many manufacturers now make road
    > bikes with taller front ends; in the Trek line, that would be the
    > Pilot series.

    Quoted message said:

    > But I would most definitely not suggest putting an extension onto a
    > fork that the manufacturer says to use only 2.5cm (on a 1" column) or
    > 4cm (on 1 1/8"😉 of spacers. Serious bad news if your fork column were
    > to fail on you. (The info on spacers for Reynolds forks comes from
    > the FAQ on their website)

    Quoted message said:

    > --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    >www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

    Quoted message said:

    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist,
    which is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a
    higher stress level.

    Quoted message said:

    I agree that a steer tube failure is to be avoided at all costs. Maybe
    I should ask Reynolds what they think. I'd like to avoid the expense of
    a new bike, or even a new fork, if possible. However, it may come to
    that...

    I question the drastic change in geometry. What worked before shouldn't
    require too much of a change to make it more comfy.

    Phil H

    Yes, I'm a bit skeptical too, unless your current position is
    drastically low. Any measurements? Like what is your seat height, seat-
    to-bar drop and nose of saddle to bar reach? Do you have a reasonably
    normal body?

    Joseph

    I'd been having some trouble with tendonitis in my elbows and ulnar nerve
    hand numbness, particularly on the left side even before I increased my
    mileage. As my mileage increased, this got significantly worse. I was
    starting to train for a 1000 mile in 10 day event this summer and was
    concerned about riding high mileage day after day. When I saw the folks at
    UCD, I explained this to them, and told them I wanted the bike fitted to
    permit me to survive this event and feel good about it. They watched me ride
    on their Serotta fit cycle and adjusted things until they were happy with
    the fit, then compared it with my bike. It felt OK to me, but without riding
    for a few hours, I couldn't say whether it was better or worse, just
    different.

    They only increased my seat height by 6mm (from 800 to 806). No problem.
    They moved the saddle back 1cm. Also no problem. The big changes were in the
    drop and reach. They recommended the drop be reduced from 5cm to 1 cm, and
    the reach be reduced from 57cm to 54 cm. Thus the stem acrobatics. I had
    already expected that the drop and reach would be changed -- I just didn't
    expect this much. I do want to try it, and see what it feels like, see how
    it works, without spending a ton.

    The previous stem was 110mm with a 6 degree rise, and could go no higher. It
    looks to me like it will take a 90mm stem with a 35 degree rise to even come
    close to the recommendations. They exist, but I really don't like the look.
    The current stem already has an inch of spacers, so no room for more.

    -Jim

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    I would encourage you to get past the looks and try the stem. (forget my earlier suggestion of flipping the stem ... I thought you might have had a -17 degree one)
    Mike, from Chain Reaction Cycles, gave you the suggestion of a new fork, with a longer/stronger steering tube. In the long run I think this is the best suggestion. If it helps, I have seen one fellow rider in the hospital who pushed his carbon fiber fork & and carbon fiber steerer tube broke when he was riding down hill @ ~30 MPH. He broke his collar bone, arm, helmet, and had a very bad concussion.
    I am from the "baby boomer generation" and find that my stem also needs to come up a little every few years. The people that I ride with in my age category also are making similar adjustments.
    If you spent $500 to get the fit suggestions and are going to ride 1,000 miles in ten days I would do what it takes to minimize discomforts while not increasing safety risks.

  14. Quoted message said:

    The previous stem was 110mm with a 6 degree rise, and could go no higher.
    It looks to me like it will take a 90mm stem with a 35 degree rise to even
    come close to the recommendations. They exist, but I really don't like the
    look. The current stem already has an inch of spacers, so no room for
    more.

    -Jim

    That hardly sounds like something requiring drastic measures; the stem I
    mentioned would probably do just fine, and I absolutely, positively
    GUARANTEE that it looks one heck of a lot better than adding the extension.
    I have yet to find anybody who thought the extensions look nice, and we sell
    quite a few. The new Torelli stem, on the other hand, is light weight and
    nice looking.

    I put up a photo showing the various options here-
    www.ChainReaction.com/test.htm

    Please note this photo won't be up forever, so if you're googling this 6
    years from now, you'll likely see something else.

    --Mike Jacoubowsky
    Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReaction.com
    Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

  15. "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    The previous stem was 110mm with a 6 degree rise, and could go no higher.
    It looks to me like it will take a 90mm stem with a 35 degree rise to
    even come close to the recommendations. They exist, but I really don't
    like the look. The current stem already has an inch of spacers, so no
    room for more.

    -Jim

    That hardly sounds like something requiring drastic measures; the stem I
    mentioned would probably do just fine, and I absolutely, positively
    GUARANTEE that it looks one heck of a lot better than adding the
    extension. I have yet to find anybody who thought the extensions look
    nice, and we sell quite a few. The new Torelli stem, on the other hand, is
    light weight and nice looking.

    I put up a photo showing the various options here-
    www.ChainReaction.com/test.htm

    Please note this photo won't be up forever, so if you're googling this 6
    years from now, you'll likely see something else.

    --Mike Jacoubowsky
    Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReaction.com
    Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

    Thanks, Mike. It doesn't look so bad on your mock up. And the stem extender
    isn't real pretty, either. Maybe I'll give the high rise stem a try. One
    advantage of the stem extender is that is would give room to raise the stem
    further with minimal fuss (i.e. without buying another new stem). Another
    argument for an adjustable stem, I suppose.

    -Jim

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  16. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Phil Holman piholmanc@yourservice said:

    "James Fitch" <jfitchatnapannetdotnet> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist,
    which is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a
    higher stress level.

    Oh! So you're saying that PMP was onto something after all?

    http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/PMP_main.htm

    -Luns

  17. Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I put up a photo showing the various options here-
    www.ChainReaction.com/test.htm

    Please note this photo won't be up forever, so if you're googling this 6
    years from now, you'll likely see something else.

    --Mike Jacoubowsky
    Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReaction.com
    Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

    Thanks, Mike. It doesn't look so bad on your mock up. And the stem
    extender isn't real pretty, either. Maybe I'll give the high rise stem a
    try. One advantage of the stem extender is that is would give room to
    raise the stem further with minimal fuss (i.e. without buying another new
    stem). Another argument for an adjustable stem, I suppose.

    -Jim

    I fixed the photo; the original might have had an issue with the aspect
    ratio. As for "adjustable" stems, the only extra adjustment they might offer
    is for forward reach; the up/down can be handled on a standard threadless
    stem by changing the orientation of the spacers (moving them from below to
    above the stem, or vice versa).

    By the way, the Torelli stem is also quite light. 134 grams. But, it is
    available only in 31.8mm diameter handlebar clamp, so it's possible you
    might need a new bar. If your current bar has seen a lot of miles, that
    might not be such a bad idea anyway.

    --Mike Jacoubowsky
    Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReaction.com
    Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

  18. "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I put up a photo showing the various options here-
    www.ChainReaction.com/test.htm

    Please note this photo won't be up forever, so if you're googling this 6
    years from now, you'll likely see something else.

    --Mike Jacoubowsky
    Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReaction.com
    Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

    Thanks, Mike. It doesn't look so bad on your mock up. And the stem
    extender isn't real pretty, either. Maybe I'll give the high rise stem a
    try. One advantage of the stem extender is that is would give room to
    raise the stem further with minimal fuss (i.e. without buying another new
    stem). Another argument for an adjustable stem, I suppose.

    -Jim

    I fixed the photo; the original might have had an issue with the aspect
    ratio.

    Ah, yes. The aspect is much better. However, the lighting is sort of
    marginal.

    -Jim

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  19. "Phil Holman" <piholmanc@yourservice> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    Quoted message said:

    I understand the limitations on the use of spacers. But the extender
    isn't exactly the same thing. It doesn't seem like it would stress a
    steer tube any more than a regular stem. However, I'm no phycisist, which
    is why I asked.

    It is an extension and through it you can apply more leverage and a higher
    stress level.


    If you have the handlebars in a certain position they will exert the same
    leverage on the steerer regardless of whether that position is achieved by a
    steeply rising stem or by an extension combined with a more horizontal stem.

    Nick

  20. Mike Jacoubowsky said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I put up a photo showing the various options here-
    www.ChainReaction.com/test.htm
    Please note this photo won't be up forever, so if you're googling this 6
    years from now, you'll likely see something else.

    Jim ?? (attribution lost)writes:

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Thanks, Mike. It doesn't look so bad on your mock up. And the stem
    extender isn't real pretty, either. Maybe I'll give the high rise stem a
    try. One advantage of the stem extender is that is would give room to
    raise the stem further with minimal fuss (i.e. without buying another new
    stem). Another argument for an adjustable stem, I suppose.

    Mike Jacoubowsky said:

    I fixed the photo; the original might have had an issue with the aspect
    ratio. As for "adjustable" stems, the only extra adjustment they might offer
    is for forward reach; the up/down can be handled on a standard threadless
    stem by changing the orientation of the spacers (moving them from below to
    above the stem, or vice versa).

    By the way, the Torelli stem is also quite light. 134 grams. But, it is
    available only in 31.8mm diameter handlebar clamp, so it's possible you
    might need a new bar. If your current bar has seen a lot of miles, that
    might not be such a bad idea anyway.

    The same and higher angles are available for 26.0 bars so he's covered
    either way:
    http://www.yellowjersey.org/21stcen.html

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    www.yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

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