Cycling UK Forum

I have an old school flatbar Orange C16R mtb that I use as a touring bike, hauling 4 panniers. It does the job fine but the frame is a bit too long for me length wise. The standover isn't a problem as it is a compact frame. But on a long day the riding position is just too 'sporty'. I have the saddle as forward as it can go on the rails.
Can I simply change the original (rather long) stem for one that has a shorter neck, so I'm a bit nearer the bars? Or am I missing some important drawback?

You can try that and see if it helps.

There's some excellent fitting advice in the archives.

How about adding some photos or video of you riding it... side-on, feet up on pedals?

Thanks

Jonathan

Of course you can. This is my C16 shortened to about 50mm and raised by nearly 100 mm.
She spent a couple of years in touring pannier mode but back on knobbly tyres now.

Yes, and combine with Jones / Geoff bars for further improvement.

Steerer extention plus shorter stem as already suggested.I,ve done this on a few bikes over the years with no problems.Not an ideal solution though as,strictly speaking,you do saddle setback first,then set the reach.It,s obviously not an issue for you though .

Read my DIY bike fit piece linked below.
The saddle position should be set relative to the pedals for comfortable riding, and reach adjusted by changing stem length.

Thanks everyone for those helpful comments and to #531Colin for the doc on 'best practice'!

Excellent question / topic, thank you.

I’d be very interested to hear how this all turns out for the OP and likewise additional details from those that have already done this modification: what bits did you use and what problems did you encounter along the way, please.

https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazin ... -handlebar

I’m wondering what other bars might work too, but if I ever get around to the job then it will be one change at a time.

Garry Booth wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 3:04pm Can I simply change the original (rather long) stem for one that has a shorter neck, so I'm a bit nearer the bars? Or am I missing some important drawback?

Sorry.. late to the party with this one. The short answer is yes.. but you might not notice that much of a difference. A straight handlebar (perhaps with a 7 to 14 degree sweep) will still pull your shoulders towards the front, and without changing the height of the bars, you might end up placing your back into a more pronounced arch... (although you might not.. )
Personally I find a handlebar with a 65 to 70 degree sweep, places places my shoulders and wrists in a more restful position... the humpert range of handlebars is pretty comprehensive and are pretty inexpensive, too.
Here's my latest build

Hmm, interesting feedback. Now I'm thinking about new bars... I'll report back!

Garry Booth wrote: ↑29 Dec 2022, 6:43pm Hmm, interesting feedback. Now I'm thinking about new bars... I'll report back!

New bars may be worthwhile. I find I don't get on with flat bars that are flat. Something like a 9 degree backsweep/upsweep.

Something like these (with correct diameter for your bike obviously)

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/spa ... prod173444

My latest Kona is a little "long" and I also want one bike with more upright fit for when my back is a little delicate. (The Kileaua will provide the old school head down 90s look!)
So the 92 Lava Dome is getting the cruiser-look!

djnotts wrote: ↑30 Dec 2022, 9:44am My latest Kona is a little "long" and I also want one bike with more upright fit for when my back is a little delicate. (The Kileaua will provide the old school head down 90s look!)
So the 92 Lava Dome is getting the cruiser-look!20221228_123316.jpg

"Thumbies" for gear shift duties,were/are nice bits of kit.I,m using a front shifter on my carbon road bike ,drops to flat bar conversion .Easiest way to ensure against chain rub with a road triple.

Thumbies are the best shifters EVER! Especially for front triples.
Also I have painful (arthritis I assume) thumbs and index fingers and thumbies are the easiest to operate with least discomfort, nudge or hold with different parts of the hand/palm.