There are many reasons why people want tp know how to raise the handlebars on a mountain bike, but one of the most common is that they have outgrown it. Mountain biking has increased in popularity over recent years, and more people than ever before want to purchase a bike. However, not everyone grows at the same rate – so if you have been riding a smaller frame size for a while and now find yourself too tall for it, then this article will show how to raise the handlebars on your mountain bike!
Why Should You Adjust Your Handlebars?
There are many reasons why you might want to adjust your mountain bike handlebars. Maybe you want them closer to you, or perhaps you like the way it feels. Whatever the reason, we will talk about all of them below.
This is a list of reasons why you might need to adjust your handlebars:
Write a list of reasons why you might need to adjust your handlebars
– You outgrew your bike
– Your handlebars are too low
– The handlebars are uncomfortable for you to use
– Lower back and neck pain
– For better balance on racked trails
– If You’re Having Trouble Seeing Over Objects on the Trail
The first reason to adjust your handlebars is for a kid or teen’s growth. When purchasing a mountain bike for a youngster, you run the danger of it becoming out-of-date within six months to a year.
To preserve the mountain bike useful, it is suggested that the handlebars be adjusted, or raised, once every year at the very least. However, note that the handlebars may need to be changed more frequently as a result of growth in children or teenagers.
Mountain bikes are not just for kids. Adults might need them too. They might have to change the height of the handlebars if they grow taller or shorter. Sometimes people take a mountain bike in good condition and regift it to someone else who needs it or recycle it if they don’t want it anymore.
If you get a mountain bike for someone else, then there’s no way to know how tall they are or if their arms can be long enough to reach the handlebars. Adjusting the height will give them more room and comfort so it won’t go unused.
There may also be people who would like to use their grown children or significant other’s bike but are unable to because they are uncomfortable on it. Adding handlebar extensions is an easy way to solve this problem.
Another reason why you might want to adjust the height of your mountain bike is if you find yourself in pain while riding it for extended periods. Many people have lower back or neck pain after riding mountain bikes, which is usually due to the handlebars.
If you find yourself in this predicament all too often with your current bike, then it may be time for a new one that allows you more comfort. The last thing anyone wants is pain while they are doing something they love.
Lastly, if there’s an object on the trail that you need to ride over, such as a log or rock, then your handlebars might be too low. This can cause balance issues and lead to accidents.
That’s why it is important for everyone who rides mountain bikes to adjust the height of their handlebars on occasion, whether they’re riding trails or not. A lot of people are unaware that it can even be done.
How to Raise the Handlebars on a Mountain Bike
First, look at the type of bike you have. Not all bikes have the same handlebars, so after you find out what kind of bike you have, then you can raise them.
The Flat Bar is the most popular handlebar on mountain bikes. These handlebars are intended to be completely flat with a little slope toward the rider. Due to their flexibility and stability, they are frequently utilized. These handlebars are also well-known for being lightweight and small.
Now it’s time to discover whether your mountain bike has a Threadless Headset Stem or a Threaded Headset Stem after you’ve identified the kind of handlebars it has.
Knowing which kind of bike you have is important. It will impact how high or low you can raise the handlebar of your bike.
Adjustment With a Threadless Headset Stem
- Get an Allen key.
- Remove the long bolt from the stem cap using the Allen key.
- Loosen the smaller bolts on the Threadless headset seam using an Allen key.
- Remove the handlebars from the stem slowly.
- To add space to the main tube, use spacers.
- Remove the old stem and replace it with a new one.
- Loosen the handlebars until you can move them without any problem.
The stem is the metal between your handlebars and your bike.
Threadless headsets have bolts that help to keep the handlebars in place. These bolts are found on one large bolt and two smaller ones.
You need Allen Keys to change the height of the handlebars.
To raise the handlebars to the required height, remove the long bolt from the stem cap using an Allen Key. Set both aside for future use and to avoid losing either piece. In addition to the large bolt, the Threadless Headset Stem has two smaller bolts. To move the handlebars inside of the stem, loosen both of these bolts.
Remove the handlebars from the stem all at once. Pull the handlebars away from the stem slowly and methodically to avoid bending, breaking.
Add spacers to the main tube of your mountain bike after removing the handlebar. These can also be removed if you need to lower the height of the bike in the future. Purchase adapters at a local bicycle shop.
The stem should be carefully replaced on the mountain bike after the spacers have been installed. You don’t have to worry about perfect alignment because there will be time to correct it. After replacing the stem, replace the stem cap and tighten it by hand using only your hands. Do not utilize an Allen key for this procedure.
To ensure that the stem cap has been correctly replaced, try to spin the handlebars freely. If you cannot do so, loosen the handlebars until you can move them in all directions without difficulty.
Adjustment with a Threaded Headset Stem
- Remove the top bolt on the threaded headset stem.
- With a wrench, loosen the locknut.
- Remove the bicycle’s stem from the frame.
- The handlebars should be positioned correctly.
- Reattach the stem and make any necessary adjustments.
Threaded headsets are made of one continuous piece of metal. This metal goes from the handlebars to the body of the mountain bike. These stems also have a single bolt in them at the top.
To adjust the handlebars on your bike, first, loosen the bolt that goes up. You can do this with a wrench. Once you loosen the bolt, you need to take off the locknut. Lift off and take out stem from the bike.
When you are reattaching the handlebars, make sure they are in the right place. The handlebars should be lower than the seat but not too low that it makes it hard for someone to ride on them.
Riders should not ride in a position that makes them bend over for a long time. The handlebars should be lower. This is good for balance and control of the bike on the bumpy, uphill terrain.
How to Determine the Right Handlebar Height
When considering how your bike is adjusted, it is important to think about “alignment.” Aligning the handlebars with the rest of the cycle can prevent injury and help you use or fix your bike. The stem should also be aligned with the front wheel on the bike.
When you are checking your bike’s alignment, you can use your body to brace the frame.
When you turn the bike, the center of your body should be in line with the front wheel. If it is not, then you will have a problem. This is very important because if it is not in line, you will have no control when turning the bike.
The perfect height for your bike is solely individual. There is no wrong height, so don’t worry about what others say. Raise the handlebars to the height that feels right to you.
How Wide Should My Mountain Bike Handlebars Be?
There is no set standard for how wide your mountain bike handlebars should be. However, different widths serve various purposes and can help you achieve the riding position of choice, whether aggressive or more laid back.
To figure out how wide you want your mountain bike handlebars to be, first think about what type of mountain biking you will be doing.
Mountain bikes have traditionally been associated with a more aggressive riding style. Narrower bars provide better aerodynamics for those seeking an edge when racing up hills or smoothing out your path through courses. The added speed will enable you to take shortcuts other riders may not even see!
If you are used to dirt bikes and motocross riding, then a wider bar will be good for you. Wider bars allow more control and maneuverability, which is necessary when riding on rocky or hilly terrain.
Bikes have different handles. They are narrow or wider. You may prefer the width of the handlebars, depending on what you are used to riding.
If you are used to bikes with a wider bar, you might not like bikes with narrow bars, even though narrow bars are the kind of bars that people use in your racing style.
Location matters
If you are racing in a tree-filled area, a narrow bar may provide a more pleasant ride. This is because you will not be in danger of crashing into every tree on your course.
Similarly, if the terrain you intend to ride your mountain bike is flat, a larger bar may be necessary and perhaps desirable.
Body type
The next thing to think about when thinking about the width of your mountain bike handlebar is the rider’s size. The body type will play as much a role in the width of handlebars to buy.
If you have a small body, you should not get a wide handlebar. You will have less control, and it might be uncomfortable.
However, if you have broad shoulders, the handlebars considered narrow might be too restricted to fulfill your demands, causing discomfort during the ride.
How do you find the right size handlebars for your bike?
It is best to find out how to find the best size for your handlebars by visiting a bike shop. A bike expert will help you find the right size for your needs.
What you need to know
There are two things to keep in mind when looking at handlebars. The first is the rise, which is how far it goes up from the ends of the handlebars. The second is the sweep, which means how far it goes away from one side of a bike to another. We will explain both of these things in this section.
Rise
Mountain bikes usually have a flat bar with a height of zero. But there are exceptions, and some mountain bike handlebars have a height of 100mm or four inches.
When choosing the height of your bike, two important things will help you. First, how tall you are. Second, what kind of bike it is. Taller people might want to raise the handlebars, so they don’t have to bend over as much. And if you have a different kind of bike, it might need other adjustments too.
This type of bar is a little more flexible, which is excellent for people who use bikes more for going downhill.
Sweep
When it comes to handlebars, there are two measurements you might find: upsweep and back sweep.
Upsweep is the height of the bar. It doesn’t change how high the bars are, but it does change comfort. A higher upsweep means that it is more comfortable for shorter people.
Backsweep is the angle that the handlebars form when they go backward. The backsweep can be between 0 and 45 degrees. This is also called a back sweep.
Clamps
There are three common diameters. They are 25.4mm, 31.8mm, and 35mm.
Keep these figures in mind to make sure your handlebars will fit within the bike’s frame.
FAQ
What’s the best way to raise your handlebars on a mountain bike?
If you have a mountain bike, the way to raise the handlebars will depend on what type of setup it has (Threaded or Threadless Headset Seam).
The steps are the same for both types of headsets. Before tightening it back together, loosen the bolts with an Allen key or wrench, and adjust the sizing.
How to raise handlebars on Schwinn mountain bike?
Schwinn mountain bikes are on the lower end of the price spectrum, making them great for new riders. Schwinn mountain bikes are also available in varying sizes, styles, and colors to suit everyone’s needs. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can skip out on some maintenance. It is important to adjust the handlebars on a Schwinn mountain bike periodically to ensure long-term durability. Adjusting your Schwinn mountain bike’s handlebars is an easy fix that will save you money in the future. Read below to learn how!
Step: Start by loosening the bolts at the ends of your handlebars with an Allen key or wrench.
Step: Loosen the bolts with an Allen key or wrench to loosen up your handlebars a bit before you adjust them. This will make it easier for you!
Step: Once both bolts have been loosened, move on to adjusting your handlebars’ sizing by using a comfortable and convenient size for you.
Step: After adjusting the sizing of your handlebars, tighten up all bolts with an Allen key or wrench to ensure that they are secure before riding it again. Make sure not to over-tighten them! This could damage your Schwinn mountain bike’s threadless headset seams.
How to raise handlebars on trek mountain bike?
Trek mountain bikes are one of the best-known brands in the industry. When they become too low or too high, they aren’t as much fun to ride anymore. Luckily, there is an easy way to adjust your handlebars on your Trek mountain bike, so you don’t have to worry about sore wrists or neck pains! Read below for some tips on how to adjust your Trek mountain bike’s handlebars today!
Step: Loosen the bolt if it is hard to get to the stem expander bolt.
Step: Loosen the bolt that holds the stem of the bike. The bolts can be tight, so you may need to turn them two or three times before it loosens up.
Step: Hit the bolt that is on top of the stem expander with a mallet. This will loosen the stem wedge and make it easier to use.
Step: Put the handlebars at the height you want them. Make sure that the minimum insertion line is inside the frame.
Step: The top of the stem needs to fit into the top tube.
Step: You need to tighten the stem expander bolt. It needs to be tightened until it is at the right size.
Step: When you did the first step, the bolt may have loosened. Make sure to tighten and torque it.
What is a bicycle handlebar extender?
A bike handlebar extender is an extended arm that attaches to the front of your bike. It allows you to ride your bike without reaching over the top, making it more comfortable and easier for your neck muscles. When fitted with a bike handlebar extender, the cycle becomes more suitable for adults over 6 feet tall. For shorter riders who prefer to ride their bikes with no extension, an alternative is to put your saddle up high or purchase a bicycle saddle that’s low profile.
Final Words
Mountain biking is a fun sport that people of all ages can enjoy. Whether you are new to the activity or have been mountain biking for years, it’s important to know how to adjust your bike’s handlebars when they get too low or high. The process will depend on which type of setup your bike has (Threaded or Threadless Headset Seam). We hope this article was helpful in teaching you about these adjustments and what makes them different from one another.
