Raising Handlebars

[JRN]

I am a shade over six feet, and am concerned that the RR will put me in a head down stance. Right now my hands go numb even with upright handlebars. Can I raise them much, or replace the headstock?

 

[mrgold35]

I'm 6'3"; but, have really long arms (38/39 length in dress shirts). I replaced my stem with the Sunlite 0-60 degree 95 mm Adjustable Stem. I also had to add two 2.5mm thick stem spacers (5mm total) because the new stem was a little shorter in height compared to the Radrover one. It is about a 10-15 minute job to switch the stem over.

Sunlite Stem, $32, Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006HX04KK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Spacers, bag of 5 at 2.5mm each, $11, Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CJZBH0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

About 35 degrees felt comfortable to me:


I went with the adjustable stem because I have two Radrovers for the wife and I. I wanted the ability to raise/lower if we needed to switch off bikes (she is over a foot shorter than me). Plus, the replacement stem is the same length as the Radrover one and I didn't have to make any adjustments to the brakes or power cables.

It happens much less with the raised handlebars; but, I still get the occasional numb hands. My warm weather gloves have a lot more padding that helps with numbness.

Half finger padded gloves, $11, Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E8NFXY2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lost]

Just got home, and the parts are waiting!

 

[mrgold35]

Just got home, and the parts are waiting!

I'm not a bike person and learn sometimes with trail and (a lot of) error. You have to tighten down the center star nut inside the stem before you TQ down the two outside bolts to the new adjustable stem. I then adjusted the amount of degrees I wanted for the handlebars and locked it down. The last thing I did was tighten down the four bolts that secure the handle bars to the stem once I adjusted rotation of the handlebars for max comfort and for reaching the brake handles. I even adjust my LCD screen up a touch on my bike for better viewing (left it the same angle for the wife's bike).

 

[Trail Cruiser]

If above solution is not enough, you may need a stem riser.
https://www.amazon.com/Extender-OUT...8I&pd_rd_wg=tWCFA&refRID=AT9W0XB2WAVMCCSKTE5T

 

[woodsusa]

I used a stem riser and adjustable stem. I had to replace the front brake cable everything else was long enough. Adjustable stem : https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00449ECLG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Stem Riser : https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J22OIR8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lost]

10 minute job, love it when a plan comes together, thanks!

 

[John49]

What kit would work best for a Radwagon? I adjusted the bars up with the stock setup but need to come up a few inches to reduce leaning over. I like an upright position as much as possible.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

If the reach is still too far and you still suffer wrist and elbow pains, you may need a shorter stem
https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-31-...TF8&qid=1492571088&sr=1-1&keywords=short+stem

and you may also need a classic handle bar
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FSA-METROPOLIS-31-8mm-BICYCLE-HANDLEBAR-Black/292088746307?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=2&asc=40130&meid=ea86def064e14c5cbed32f068d4fc077&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=361151439758

I used both.

 

[John49]

I finally solved the handle bar issue on the Radwagon. The bars were too far away causing neck pain. A stem riser and new stem did the trick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007WEQIT4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1EOOBM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The cables are long enough to take the full height. To install you need a 4mm, 5 mm and 6 mm allen wrench. The 5mm allen needs to be 5" long to get down into the riser.

I would suggest using a locking strap or a long zip tie to hold the steering tube from falling before you remove the original stem riser.

 

[Pa1adin]

I am a shade over six feet, and am concerned that the RR will put me in a head down stance. Right now my hands go numb even with upright handlebars. Can I raise them much, or replace the headstock?

I am a solid 6'3" and also got the Sunlite 0-60 degree 95 mm Adjustable Stem. MrGold helped me out when I got my bike. I also got the 95mm one and it fit fine. I have mine cranked all the way up the full 60 and the handlebars pretty much flat/normal. I didn't need any spacers with mine.

Works great so far.

 

[Lost]

I just put in an extender from ebay, along with the adjustable stem on the rover. MUCH better!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-Handle...var=600866643071&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[Pa1adin]

You did both? Weird. I was thinking of doing that before I got the bike thinking I would not fit on it properly. Only needed the adjustable stem. It angled enough that I didn't need the extender.

Damn i wonder if I don't have the thing adjusted properly now... I was thinking I would have to raise the handlebars really high and raise the seat a lot etc... My seat is almost all the way down. I do wish i was a bit taller on it but not by that much.

Now I don't think I know how to fit on it properly maybe hehehehe.. ii

Post a pic when you get a sec.

 

[Lost]

Sure...

 

[Pa1adin]

WOW!!!! Man this is weird to me. I was worried about this but when the bike arrived it seemed so big.

I really have to swing my leg over it to get on it as is. I could never get my leg over the seat if it was that high. WTH..... Do you step on the left pedal and step up on that then over? How do you put your foot down on the ground to steady it when not moving while sitting on the seat?


How tall are you man? Again I am a tall guy at 6'3" and have a 33/34 inseam. What am I doing wrong. ii

Maybe I got an experimental XL bike. i i

 

[Lost]

Im 6 foot 1 inch. I have to tilt the bike a little to mount it, but it fits good once I am on. I like my leg just about fully extended on the bottom. The Rover is sold as one size fits all, but that's only true if your not picky. The suntour seat post I would say is a "must have" also.

 

[Pa1adin]

Yeah I originally got a suntour seat post but got the wrong size. It was listed weird on Amazon. I JUST got another one the right size. Put it on Wednesday. Have not ridden with it yet except in my yard. If it does not rain I am taking the bike out this weekend.

Just for curiosity sake can you measure the height of the top of the seat from the ground.

 

[Lost]

Yeah I originally got a suntour seat post but got the wrong size. It was listed weird on Amazon. I JUST got another one the right size. Put it on Wednesday. Have not ridden with it yet except in my yard. If it does not rain I am taking the bike out this weekend.

Just for curiosity sake can you measure the height of the top of the seat from the ground.

40" But the seat post will collapse a little under my 275 lbs. So maybe really 39" when I am on it.

 

[mrgold35]

I'm 6'3" with the same 33/34 inseam. My bike looks almost identical to Lost bike with accessories and seat size. I hold on to one brake lever and tilt the bike close to a 45 degree angle towards me to swing my leg over the seat/Topeak rack bag to straddle before I sit on the seat. I use to lift my leg over the top tube; but, I kept on kicking the top tube and scratching the paint (the wife still mounts this way). The wife and I do switch off bikes and she sometimes scratches the top tube paint mounting the bike.

I added Lizard skin frame protection to help with that, Amazon, clear or carbon fiber, $16-$22: https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-Carbon-Leather-Protector/dp/B01DH2194I/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1501331504&sr=8-9-spons&keywords=lizard+skin+bike+frame+protection&smid=AMY4I718ZUBOU&th=1&psc=1https://

 

[Lost]

Cool find! I need some of those to protect the frame from the bike rack that goes on that mustang in the background. I drive my bike 260 miles a week, and the foam that covers the part that grabs the frame has been eaten through, and gouged that orange bike! Thanks.