Anyone used stem risers to get the weight back on their butt?

[Doug Stampfer]

Dealing with an ongoing thumb joint injury & I want to shift the weight back off the bars to my butt so riding isn't so painful. I've seen some stem risers & wondered if they work. I don't ride anything techy at the moment as it hurts too much to enjoy so just pootle around with the wife on easy stuff so not worried about the handling characteristics.
Be keen to hear any feedback.

 

[RustyMTB]

Try raising the nose of your saddle. Same effect & foc.

 

[timo2824]

Dealing with an ongoing thumb joint injury & I want to shift the weight back off the bars to my butt so riding isn't so painful. I've seen some stem risers & wondered if they work. I don't ride anything techy at the moment as it hurts too much to enjoy so just pootle around with the wife on easy stuff so not worried about the handling characteristics.
Be keen to hear any feedback.

I've ran stem risers, but I like taller handlebars better.

 

[irie]

Wife has one of these on her bike, very strong and well made.

 

[Mikerb]

As above I think riser bars are a better solution. As you state the problem is with your thumb joint you could also try changing your grips to Ergon GA2. They work to distribute bar forces more evenly across the palm of the hand taking pressure off the thumb side. That would be a lower cost first potential solution and still be effective if you subsequently also fitted higher rise bars.

 

[irie]

As above I think riser bars are a better solution. As you state the problem is with your thumb joint you could also try changing your grips to Ergon GA2. They work to distribute bar forces more evenly across the palm of the hand taking pressure off the thumb side. That would be a lower cost first potential solution and still be effective if you subsequently also fitted higher rise bars.

Are Ergon GA2 grips "a lower cost first potential solution" than a £22.99 BBB steerer extender? They will not "shift the weight back off the bars to my butt" as a steerer extender* will.

Edit: *Have to be sure that cables etc are long enough.

 

[Mikerb]

Are Ergon GA2 grips "a lower cost first potential solution" than a £22.99 BBB steerer extender? They will not "shift the weight back off the bars to my butt" as a steerer extender* will.

Edit: *Have to be sure that cables etc are long enough.

about the same price as a steerer extender but I was referring to the cost v buying riser bars.

 

[irie]

about the same price as a steerer extender but I was referring to the cost v buying riser bars.

In which case a steerer extender will be many times cheaper than riser bars.

 

[steve_sordy]

In which case a steerer extender will be many times cheaper than riser bars.

As someone who was thinking about riser bars to ease my neck pain, I am interested in this topic and I had not even considered steerer extenders. I accept that they may be a cheaper option, but are they "better"? I am concerned about the strength of the resultant set up, not the cost nor even how it looks. It may be fine for canal towpaths and other light trails, but are they strong enough to stand up to something rougher?

 

[timo2824]

As someone who was thinking about riser bars to ease my neck pain, I am interested in this topic and I had not even considered steerer extenders. I accept that they may be a cheaper option, but are they "better"? I am concerned about the strength of the resultant set up, not the cost nor even how it looks. It may be fine for canal towpaths and other light trails, but are they strong enough to stand up to something rougher?

My biggest issue is they just look wrong on a $5,000 bike. It adds another spot for creaking noises as well. My Deity riser bars were only ~$75 and they do exactly what I wanted.

 

[skinnyboy]

Dealing with an ongoing thumb joint injury & I want to shift the weight back off the bars to my butt so riding isn't so painful. I've seen some stem risers & wondered if they work. I don't ride anything techy at the moment as it hurts too much to enjoy so just pootle around with the wife on easy stuff so not worried about the handling characteristics.
Be keen to hear any feedback.

Higher bars do absolutely work, taller stacks will be the next geometry must have.

Unfortunately in recent years "manufacturers" have the steerers on new bikes cut at the factory to look cool and racy on the showroom floor (see also cables through headsets) and save the shop the hassle of cutting them if needed.

Leaves a few options: 1. we bin our OEM forks and install good forks with long steerers (anyone looking for a brand new Zeb 170?) since we know what we're looking for (expensive); 2. riser bars/stems (kind of a crap shoot if you don't know exactly where you want your bars); 3. steerer extenders (as Steve mentioned only really acceptable for light use).

Perhaps buy a steerer extender, poodle around with it trying all kinds of different heights until you find what works for you, then get a bar/stem combo that puts the bars where you want them (provided it's even possible with a cut steerer). At first higher bars will seem odd, but that's only because we are adaptable, even to bad designs, and come to regard them as correct. Ride the bike for a few days with what seems like too tall a bar to let your body and technique adjust. If it seems good raise and ride until the last position seems better all around. Should be pretty close to optimum then.

Cheers.

 

[irie]

As someone who was thinking about riser bars to ease my neck pain, I am interested in this topic and I had not even considered steerer extenders. I accept that they may be a cheaper option, but are they "better"? I am concerned about the strength of the resultant set up, not the cost nor even how it looks. It may be fine for canal towpaths and other light trails, but are they strong enough to stand up to something rougher?

As long as the tube extender is as strong as or stronger than the steerer tube then it will be strong enough. Ergotec also have a steerer extension tube (Ahead Stem Raiser #40105001)

 

[irie]

3. steerer extenders (as Steve mentioned only really acceptable for light use).

See above.

 

[Amber Valley Guy]

Another possibility is the bars are to wide for the OP's shoulders (pulling the body forward) and need cutting down. Rotating the bars back can also help, but beware of the wrist angle dropping if the bars are rotated to far. Another solution is buy bars with a greater backsweep say 10-12 degrees instead of the more usual 8 degrees and if those bars also have a slightly higher rise (say 15-20mm more than stock) and a greater backsweep the more they can be adjusted by rotating.

 

[skinnyboy]

See above.

100% agreed on the Ergotec products, good stuff and they recognize the need in the market. Definitely the way to go for an extender for more than just testing. Unfortunately difficult to source here with shipping from Europe being expensive, and still something of a bodge.

Cheers.

 

[Brianjonesphoto]

While an add on riser is easy. Rise bars are better. Being 2m tall the trendy low stack geometry sucks. In the past I’ve run uncut steered tubes now I’m rocking 75mm rise bar. May look goofy but it allows me to get out and get miles without hand and shoulder pain

 

[Seraye]

Sqlab makes decent tall stems that will help you raise your bars (approx 50-60mm taller)

and maintain your reach. I ALSO USE Deity high riser bars in all my bikes. The Deity and/or SQLab solution is much more elegant.

 

[kla456]

While an add on riser is easy. Rise bars are better. Being 2m tall the trendy low stack geometry sucks. In the past I’ve run uncut steered tubes now I’m rocking 75mm rise bar. May look goofy but it allows me to get out and get miles without hand and shoulder pain View attachment 153375

And provides adjustment options - fore and aft rotation.

 

[Seraye]

Also, depending on the geometry and fit of your bike, sliding the saddle back can really help relieve pressure on hands. The solutions mentioned above - riser stems and bars - may require you to change out your brake and derailleur housing, which may be too short.

 

[theremotejuggernaut]

Extending the steerer brings the bars closer to you. Risers bars don't (necessarily). This may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how the bike fits. If it's already on the short side, you might find you need a longer stem to offset the difference.

How wide are your bars? Cutting them down would probably help. Dropping the saddle a couple of mm is an option or just adjusting it nose up a fraction.

 

[Doomanic]

My biggest issue is they just look wrong on a $5,000 bike.

How can you say that? Isn't this a thing of beauty?

 

[Andorranik]

I have had lots of wrist and thumb trauma (lots of hardware installed at local hospital) and used to ride down hill in different states of pain......mostly my thumb. single best move was a 12 degree sweepback bar and Rev grips........just bought a 16 degree bar for newest DH Beast and almost sure it will be even better.

 

[RustyMTB]

How can you say that? Isn't this a thing of beauty?
View attachment 153404

 

[kla456]

Thumb joint suffers should give consideration to tap button shifters (dropper and mech)

 

[timo2824]

How can you say that? Isn't this a thing of beauty?
View attachment 153404

The stem riser and extended rear fender definitely give it a look...

 

[irie]

How can you say that? Isn't this a thing of beauty?
View attachment 153404

There's isnt a stem raiser on my bike above, just an uncut steerer tube. Not pretty ... but works for me. Ditto the fugly Mudhugger rear fender which is on for the winter.

 

[Mikerb]

Function over fashion.....who looks at their bike when they are riding it? My rule of thumb for cockpit set up is to have the top of the saddle level with the top of the stem. To achieve that on my bikes I use 50mm Deity riser bars. Bar width 780mm.

 

[ottoshape]

While an add on riser is easy. Rise bars are better. Being 2m tall the trendy low stack geometry sucks. In the past I’ve run uncut steered tubes now I’m rocking 75mm rise bar. May look goofy but it allows me to get out and get miles without hand and shoulder pain

First ride yesterday with my 50mm riser bars. Definitely a different, good affect on shoulder strain. Once they are adjusted "just right" I'm thinking I'm a permanent member of the club....

 

[yzf1999]

I just changed out the stock specialized trail stem (40mm) to Raceface Affect 50mm +6 degrees rise to put my bars out and up to a much more comfortable riding position for me.

 

[Stihldog]

I narrowed my bar to 760mm. Shortened the stem to 45mm. Added fatter grips. Cranks reduced. Dropper increased. Moved my seat around. Angled my brakes. Adjusted the AXS shifter reach. Longer forks. Bought new riding glasses (didn’t help btw).

I’m sure I’m missing something?…but it finally feels good .

And that only took 3-4 years.