Upright bike modification

[kmantle17]

Hi,

I bought the below bike a couple of months ago, and while it meets my needs, I'd really like it to be more upright. Could I just add dutch style handlebars and potentially a longer stem, or is there more to it?


TIA
Kris

[Sum]

The spec for the Raleigh Strada says it has a quill stem. Have you raised the handlebars as far as they can safely go within the limit markings?
https://www.raleigh.co.uk/gb/en/strada- ... /crossbar/

[531colin]

, …….I'd really like it to be more upright………

Why?

[Geoff_F]

If quill stem, look-up Nitto - they do a range of stems which will bring your bars up higher - you may need longer cables if you want a lot of height increase. Nitto Dirt Drop is worth looking at for a lot of height.

[cycle tramp]

There should be a link at the bottom of this message if you click onto it, the article should discuss the considerations of your venture

[cycle tramp]

, …….I'd really like it to be more upright………

Why?

Well.... I'd go for better visibility for the rider, especially in urban environments, less strain across the shoulders and lower back, and generally a more pleasant experience when cycling... there might even be less chance of serious injury should you fall...... (but I need to think this one through)...

[Nearholmer]

This is not a brilliant diagram, but …..

If you are going more upright, it’s worth trying to work out not only how high you want your hands, but how far back too, because that changes as your back straightens.

There is a reason why bikes designed to be ridden while sitting bolt upright have that “sit up and beg” position, with the bars pointing backwards, and why a few mountain-bike and backpacking-bike frame designers go for a very “high and short” geometry.

I’m in the middle, always the middle, of an endless series of experiments with bars, and find that a sort of worst of all worlds is to attempt to ride upright, but with the hand-grip position too far forward. Sit on a chair, better a bar-stool, back upright, and see where your hands come to a “handlebar position” with shoulders relaxed; it’s surprisingly close to the body, and above seat-height.

It’s all a matter of taste, but I’m finding that only two positions are genuinely comfortable for longer rides, a proper drop-bar position, and sit-up-and-beg with the hand position quite far back.

Others will doubtless be able to add/subtract from this view.

[pjclinch]

, …….I'd really like it to be more upright………

Why?

Why not?
Given that we've evolved for an overall upright posture it's a pretty natural stance, even if not best suited to being in a hurry on a bike in a headwind.

Pete.

[531colin]

, …….I'd really like it to be more upright………

Why?

Why not?
Given that we've evolved for an overall upright posture it's a pretty natural stance, even if not best suited to being in a hurry on a bike in a headwind.

Pete.

, …….I'd really like it to be more upright………

Why?

Well.... I'd go for better visibility for the rider, especially in urban environments, less strain across the shoulders and lower back, and generally a more pleasant experience when cycling... there might even be less chance of serious injury should you fall...... (but I need to think this one through)...

Any chance of letting the OP respond?

[cycle tramp]

Why?

Why not?
Given that we've evolved for an overall upright posture it's a pretty natural stance, even if not best suited to being in a hurry on a bike in a headwind.

Pete.

Why?

Well.... I'd go for better visibility for the rider, especially in urban environments, less strain across the shoulders and lower back, and generally a more pleasant experience when cycling... there might even be less chance of serious injury should you fall...... (but I need to think this one through)...

Any chance of letting the OP respond?

Indeed.. it is their thread after all...

However, having undertaken several weekly tours with pull back handlebars set above saddle height, I quickly became bored with conversations from well meaning cyclists who were convinced that I needed drop handlebars or flat handlebars and to set them below my saddle height. It was off putting to be told that I was somehow 'doing it all wrong', especially when one of them was leading the ride for one of the days. Indeed, I remember his reply when I attempted to explain that I rather like riding my bike as i had set it, which was 'oh, I ride bikes which are 'serious'' On the plus side my temper was alot longer then and I endured the reply with a smile.

In the end I built a series of bikes with straight bars, set level with the saddle. By this time, I'd done a number of tours, and I think had finally succumbed to the idea that I should loose the 'pull back and make my bikes look 'serious'.... Looking back I wish i hadn't as during these years I was beset with frequent crippling migraines. It was only through the web-site riv bikes that I decided to give pull backs another go and coverted my bike back again. My migraines have diminished in frequency and intensity...and my posture has greatly improved. - I think the migraines cost me 180 days of my life...

In light of this experience (edited) I'm still kinda annoyed that some people who didn't know me made an automatic assumption about how how experiened I was as a bicycle rider based on the fact I used pull back bars set higher than my saddle. I'm also kinda annoyed with myself for trying to stick with straight handlebars when they really weren't working for me...
..So anyone repeating that their belief, that a bike with pull back 'bars set higher than the saddle is not a 'serious' bike (edited) will get a very boring lecture on the riding i like to do and the type of cycling I enjoy, as well as the health hazards of adopting a poor back position.

[531colin]

Burn the toast this morning or something?
This forum used to be such a nice place.

[cycle tramp]

Burn the toast this morning or something?
This forum used to be such a nice place.

..actually it's my really noisy chickens...

Oh heck.. hey, I'm sorry. I was attempting to make the point that a bicycle with pull back bars set higher than the saddle shouldn't be considered less of a bicycle nor should it be considered that the rider somehow has less experience or doesn't take cycling as equally seriously as someone who uses drop bars or has their bars lower than their saddle...

..I've edited the last paragraph in an attempt to be nicer

[Nearholmer]

Far from being considered “less of a bicycle”, it’s now bordering on being fashionable in some trendy off-road touring circles, as exemplified by this animal, which is built using an English-made frame (Stooge). Your critic was simply “behind the curve”.

[Sum]

Just in case the OP comes back, I've attached some links to a couple of websites which illustrate how to adjust the height of quill stems
(and replace them if need be):-

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/re ... uill-stems
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html

[kmantle17]

Hi, All,

Thanks for the advice and links. To answer the why: I lived in the Netherlands for several years and got used to riding on an upright bike and riding any other way seems unnatural, especially when I'm mostly using my bike to commute.

Thanks again