lanzarote

Hello All,

I'm getting back into riding bikes after a long time. I've found bikes that fit well except for the height of the handle bars. These are generally flat bar hybrids like the Alpenchallenge line by BMC where the stem is angled at 90-degrees causing the handlebars sit quite low relative to the saddle. I would need to get the handlebars vertically up by 2-3 inches while keeping the horizontal position of the handlebars about the same as it is currently.

Questions:

1) If we assume the spacers have been all utilized to the maximum, what's the best way to go about this?
2) I have been looking at some replacement bike stems as a possible solution but am unclear on which specs I need to look at to gauge compatibility with the bike. Could anyone clarify?

Thank you so much!

Leisesturm

Damn. That is extreme. Spacers? What spacers. Only thing for this is ... this and longer cables. Those brakes aren't hydraulic by any chance? Or a different bike. TL;DR: Different bike FTW.

Frkl

You would need a monster stem to achieve 2-3 inches of height with the same reach. Quick modeling suggestions something like 130mm at 30 degrees, if the stock stem is 90mm at 0 (right angle to the steerer).

Maybe looking for a bike where your desired stack and bar heights are designed in is a better route.

Shadco 

An Alpenchallenge is as nice a hybrid as there is out there but not easily suited to raising the bars due to the way it is equipped. Consider something along the lines of a Cannondale Treadwell instead..

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shelbyfv

I agree. Put in the time and effort to establish your preferred stack and reach, shop for a bike that fits. "Stem extenders" do exist but they are an unfortunate kludge, used when people have an inappropriate bike they are trying to make rideable. There is no need for this compromise when you are still shopping.

MarcusT

I have used 2 remedies

But then I have a bike with proprietary handle bars (no stem) and went with this

Some esteemed members here will argue that being low in the front is better. Do what works for you

Desert Ryder

If the bikes are flat bar wouldn't the easiest answer be a riser handlebar?

mstateglfr 

lanzarote - solutions have already been suggested, and they would work, but here is some more detail on what you asked, in the hopes that it creates clarity.
If you want your bars up 2 to 3 inches while keeping the bars the same distance from you as they are now, you will need to change a lot.
The stock stem on this bike is set at -7 degrees and is 90 or 100mm depending on frame size.

So assuming your bike size comes with a stock 90mm stem, you would need to swap the stock stem out for a 35 degree stem that is 140mm long, and remove 20mm of spacers. I havent seen a 35deg stem that long, but maybe it exists. This is what is required to get your bars up 3 inches and also have the handlebars set at the exact same position forward(reach) as they are now.






A more realistic option- cheaper, likely more readily available, and also likely more what you need if you need the bars to be as high as you say- just get a 110mm long 35deg stem and install it.
Your bars will be 2.8" higher than they are now and also .8" closer to you. So the bars will be higher up but also closer. That is typically what someone wants when a current setup has them too stretched out. Bring the bars not only up, but also back closer to the rider.







Some context for those here, like me, who dont just automatically know what an 'Alpenchallenge' looks like.

shelbyfv

The fit of that bike is unique, for sure. Wonder if they sell many.

big john

I wouldn't call that a hybrid, I'd call it a flat bar road bike.

I had a K2 mtb with a 45 degree stem.

Trakhak

Agreed. Although the OP should be aware that new brake and gear wires and housings, and readjustment of the brakes and gears after installing them, would be necessary---but that would be true for installing a significantly taller stem, too, of course.

Frkl

They also have a booming aftermarket riser stem/bar business.

ralphs

I thought this was an interesting bar/ stem setup. I might pick it up if I'm in the area.

VegasTriker

Look up the "Delta Stem Raiser" as a possible solution. There are several versions priced around $35 from bike shops. Since it is sold by Universal Cycles it is available at any LBS that orders from them. Personally I would look on eBay where all of the versions are available and the price is much lower than $35 for most types. I have one on a vintage Balance AL450 mountain bike with straight bars and have used it for many years. It used to cost ~$20 back then. There are lots of similar knock offs for sale like these https://www.ebay.com/itm/335182729121. I did not have to do anything to the cables when installing mine.

Frkl

In all seriousness, and even with all the technical workarounds, handlebar height is such an important aspect of fit, that I am having difficulty with the idea that the bike can fit well "except for the height of the handle bars" as you wrote.

It's sort of like buying shoes that are a little too short or too narrow because they look sleek and are (perhaps a factor here too) on sale. If it were a used/rare bike, I could understand, but there are so many new bikes out there to choose from, why not choose exactly the right one?

Plus, it's not a good start with a new bike to be purchased with the intent of having to make significant changes to it. Maybe you like the handling of the Alpenchallenge you have test ridden, but the handling will change with whatever solution you try here. Perhaps you like the sleek look, but that will certainly be gone with a steering tube extender or adjustable stem.

There are companies that build bikes that might better suit you. I don't think Marin has been mentioned, but in addition to their hybrids and fitness bikes, they have "flat bar gravel bikes" (ugh, don't let's start on that market category . . . this is just an example, not an endorsement) that have at least level handlebar-saddle relationships. And are price competitive with the Alpenchallenge:

79pmooney

That looks to me like an ordinary threadless stem. If so, an easy fix to get exactly what you want is to have a frame builder make you one of the dimensions you need. (Easy. Not cheap and not fast. You will have to rethink cable/hoses and probably a few other things.)

A framebuilder that could build you exactly the stem (and bars if wanted) you want/need would be Dave Levy at Ti Cycles. I'm guessing it would be several hundred dollars but it would be exactly what you want, look right and be keeper quality. He would do it in steel or titanium. The steel ones get (usually) very high quality black paint. I took a quick look at the Alpenchallenge at Mike's Bikes and it looks to me like that bike is easily a nice enough bike to justify a sweet fix to keep it "yours". Dave has done a bunch of belt bikes and loves challenges like the cleanest way to run stuff like hoses.

And for me, replacing a sweet bike for the want of the right stem? Huh? Says a guy who has had quill stems of 155, 175 and 180mm (and a ti threadless at 120mm just because) built by Ti Cycles and another 180 built for me years ago in Seattle. (If I am wrong about yourt stem being "ordinary; ie a usual threadless standard, well, Dave Levy is exactly who you want to do an unusual project. He thrives on that stuff. Machinist, engineer. And he'd be proud to put something that belongs on a bike as nice as yours.

Now, if you have a local framebuilder, that's worth a lot if this is something he's interested in.

skidder

Are you just looking at bicycle manufacturers' websites or do you have the BMC bicycle right now? if you haven't purchased one then go into a dealer and see if they have any still boxed and if one of those can be adjusted to fit you. Lots of times the stem isn't cut to fit until in the bike shop so they can adjust the handlebars higher or lower for a customer. They might also NOT cut it at first, but put it at an intermediate height and leave some stem above the bars, then adjust it up/down after you've had time to ride it a week (or two) to see what you like.

Iride01 

You are looking at bike with too low of a frame stack for what you are wanting. Probably because you are looking at what looks aesthetically pleasing to you and not what meets your wants for position. Don't buy a bike that doesn't get your hands up at the height you wish. There are plenty made that have them higher. You might even look at a road bike or gravel bike in the certain models that have a high stack height.

The BMC Alpenchallenge has a stack height that is going to put your hands in the same place that the average road bike does, which apparently is lower than you wish. A Specialized Roubaix which is a road bike will put your bars and hands quite a bit higher than what the BMC will. There are some gravel bikes that have a higher stack still.

Some brands of bicycle don't make bikes for a very relaxed fit that you desire. So you might need to look at more brands than just BMC.

Shadco 

We sell a decent number, they are really nice bikes.

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70sSanO

Despite the potential kludge look, a stem riser/extender is the cheapest way to go. I would imagine you need to make sure the bike has at least an aluminum steerer and not carbon fiber.

If that is not acceptable, I would get a hold of BMC, or a store rep, and get the fork specs and get a fork made (or already offered) with a taller/longer steerer and use a stem with some angled rise to it. It you set it up correctly it won’t look like some frankenbike.

If you rode that bike before, there is a chance in the future you can get back into enough condition to ride it again, or at least use the original fork with a 15*/20* rise and gain an inch or so.

John

ofajen

Sorry if I missed this in a prior post, but just flipping the stem on this bike would bring the bars up and back a significant amount.

Otto

wolfchild

The easiest way to get your handlebars higher is to purchase a 25 degree or even a 35 degree stem and MTB style riser bars. Riser bars come in different heights, it can be 20mm raise, 30mm raise, 40mm raise etc. You have lots of options to choose from...The other option is to purchase a new fork and leave the steerer tube uncut and just pile on spacers.

Pratt

I'm certainly not as conversant with the techniques and consequences of changing a bike's bar height as the above contributors, but if I were in your situation, I would be tempted to wait a bit on changes. You say you are getting back into riding after a longish layoff, perhaps as you start riding more, you will become more flexible.

Maelochs

Bend the knees, arch the back. Lift with care. After a certain age, anything below table-top level becomes a serious lift, as in, I could seriously tweak my back or some odd muscle picking that up off the floor.

t2p

lanzarote

if you are looking at flat bar hybrids / road bikes - in addition to the BMC consider additional similar bikes including Trek FX, Specialized Cirrus, Cannondale Quick

many (if not most ?) will have a higher stack height and / or longer steerer with spacers