Modifying handle bars on a mountain bike

[connda]

Here a picture of my bicycle which is becoming more difficult to ride as I age.  I simply can not ride in a forward-leaning position with my weight on my wrists and hands.  It's killing my arms, hands, wrists as well as my neck and back.  I just can't do it anymore.

 

I need to get my hands up to at least as high as in the picture below.  This position takes the weight off of my wrists and arms, and allows me to straighten my body and back so that my back and neck aren't in pain.  FYI the hand grips pictured don't help.  And the handle bars can not be adjusted any higher and can not be adjusted any further backward toward the rider. 

 

So the question is, how can I modify this to get the handle bars higher and closer toward me.  I stopped riding a couple of years ago because this setup is too uncomfortable. 

[BritManToo]

What you need is a bike that fits, if the seat is up that high, it's far too small.

I would suggest a bike at least 4" bigger.

Want the handlebars closer and higher, get a 90 degree adjustable stem and a riser bar.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/miracle-shining-aluminum-alloy-bicycle-handlebar-riser-barangle-adjustable-bike-stem-254mm-i252932941-s390320077.html

Edited September 23, 2018 by BritManToo

[ChouDoufu]

you have many options.

 

first off, try a stem riser.  this little gadget bolts onto the top of your steering column adding about 8cm height.  the handlebar stem then bolts onto the riser.  added benefit, because of the angle of the steerer, it moves the bars back towards you slightly.  looks like you have enough slack in your cable housing to install without getting longer cables.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/bike-bicycle-handlebars-fork-stem-riser-rise-up-extender-height-head-up-adapter-accessories-i253492276-s391303698.html

 

combine that with a new set of bars.  replace your flat bars with a set that has some rise to it.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/254-fixie-riser-handlebar-handle-bar-i122962382-s128397534.html

 

not enough?  how about bars that are swept back towards the rider?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/magideal-retro-handlebar-bent-bar-handlebar-254x600-intl-i132133093-s141940161.html

 

another option is an adjustable stem.  they come in various lengths and possible degrees of adjustment.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/wake-mtb-3d-318x110-intl-i162574864-s195949047.html

 

yet another option is a trekking bar (butterfly bar) that offers many options for hand placement, and possibility to tilt the bar to a more comfortable position.  you can use the controls you now have, it has the same diameter as mtb flat bars.  road bars may require replacement controls.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/flameer-trekking-cycling-road-mountain-bike-bicycle-butterfly-bend-handlebar-254mm-i251077956-s387620427.html

 

not enough?

 

if you're not too worried about the optics, and don't need the front shock, find a replacement fork with a super long steering column.  don't cut to fit the frame size, add a stack of spacers to raise the stem to desired height.  added benefit, removes a couple pounds.  shocks are heavy.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/rockbros-26-275-700c-ti-cyclocross-mtb-700c-1-1-18-i259653261-s399659452.html

 

 

Edited September 23, 2018 by ChouDoufu

[StreetCowboy]

On 9/23/2018 at 8:24 PM, ChouDoufu said:

you have many options.

 

first off, try a stem riser.  this little gadget bolts onto the top of your steering column adding about 8cm height.  the handlebar stem then bolts onto the riser.  added benefit, because of the angle of the steerer, it moves the bars back towards you slightly.  looks like you have enough slack in your cable housing to install without getting longer cables.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/bike-bicycle-handlebars-fork-stem-riser-rise-up-extender-height-head-up-adapter-accessories-i253492276-s391303698.html

 

combine that with a new set of bars.  replace your flat bars with a set that has some rise to it.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/254-fixie-riser-handlebar-handle-bar-i122962382-s128397534.html

 

not enough?  how about bars that are swept back towards the rider?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/magideal-retro-handlebar-bent-bar-handlebar-254x600-intl-i132133093-s141940161.html

 

another option is an adjustable stem.  they come in various lengths and possible degrees of adjustment.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/wake-mtb-3d-318x110-intl-i162574864-s195949047.html

 

yet another option is a trekking bar (butterfly bar) that offers many options for hand placement, and possibility to tilt the bar to a more comfortable position.  you can use the controls you now have, it has the same diameter as mtb flat bars.  road bars may require replacement controls.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/flameer-trekking-cycling-road-mountain-bike-bicycle-butterfly-bend-handlebar-254mm-i251077956-s387620427.html

 

not enough?

 

if you're not too worried about the optics, and don't need the front shock, find a replacement fork with a super long steering column.  don't cut to fit the frame size, add a stack of spacers to raise the stem to desired height.  added benefit, removes a couple pounds.  shocks are heavy.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/rockbros-26-275-700c-ti-cyclocross-mtb-700c-1-1-18-i259653261-s399659452.html

 

 

I love that last option, with a stack of spacers under the head tube and big bull-horn handlebars for a real easy-rider look.  It would be almost impossible to turn, but there’s nothing wrong with going straight