Fashion Victim.

[Si]

After years of holding out against being a sheep-like trend follower I have finally succumed and fitted riser bars to my MTB.

Went out on it the other day for the first time in almost two years (kidney operation followed by the worsening of a neck injury) and found my self in agony afterwards in the back of the neck. So now I have a riser stem and riser bars, and a more sit up and beg position.

But I fear that this bodge won't be a lasting solution and that I might have to say good-bye to my loyal old MTB (last of the American built GT Zaskar Team Issues with XTR, Rolf Props and Pace - lighter than all of my road bikes except the fixie), and get a new modern MTB with a tall head tube, which I can't afford. A sad day

[Steve Kish]

Flat bars + Onza extensions = variety of positions for me.

My personal opinion is that riser bars are for girls and downhillers!

[PACE250T]

Due to a big accident in '95 whilst racing in the World Cup (Vets class) I damaged my neck extremely badly.
Once fit engough (just) to ride again after approx 9 months, I tried riding the same set up as before and it worked for a while; well 1 and a bit races to be honest. It was then, during the SW champs that I lost the use of my fingers; I couldn't un-curl them to put on the brakes at the bottom of the main downhill section. This meant the end of racing until I managed to race BMX 2 years later at the age of 39...
After having to give that up after a year (boredom and advice from my back/neck specialist), it's taken me until now, at the age of 51, to be able to ride without (too much) pain. Unfortunately this has meant I've had to fit riser bars and a long stem (hardly good looking!)
However, to get to my point, I started off with an adjustable stem (I know, I know) and over the months (nearly a year) managed to slowly adjust in a few degrees here and there until my body was able to cope with the seating position.
I may not ever be able to go back to flat bars on my original PACE bike but at least I'm riding at speed again; and doing all the stupid stuff I did back then...
Hope this gives you hope and means you don't give up without a fight!

[Si]

Yes, I did consider an adjustable stem, but had heard stories about them not being up to the job for MTBing - what make did you go for?

Also considered a stem riser (have one on my commuter and although not looking too pretty it has done the job), but again, worried about using such a device on an MTB that tends to take a good beating when used in anger (hence my choice of a Zaskar).

[PACE250T]

I used a System EX Adjustable Bar Stem 130 mm x 1 1/8" and that was totally up to the job. Just be careful not to over tighten the clamp on the bars (it has the torque figure clearly marked on the clamp), as the person who bought it off me on ebay did and broke the bracket (plank...)

I was like you and unimpressed by what I thought would be a sub-standard stem that would break at the first drop-off, however I gave it a real good bashing, all off-road, and without even a creak in return from the stem. There are teeth that the moveable bit locks into and a gauge to show you what degrees you are riding at; this allowed me to buy a fixed one at the right angle when I was ready.

It was my local 'proper' bike shop that said I wouldn't have an issue with it as they fit them to all their hire bikes and to be honest, they were totally right!

[PACE250T]

I just had a look and there's one on ebay now. It's item: 120607391816

If you get to the stage where you're ready to go back to a fixed one (only because you're a fashion victim like me) you can sell it for almost the same price back on ebay; which was exactly what I did

[Si]

cheers, PACE250T, may well try one if the current set up doesn't work out!

[gilesjuk]

I'm happy with my swept back bars. On One Mary bars.

[al_yrpal]

You'll be getting a Doro phone next

Al