More often than not, the off-the-shelf handlebar height of the bike is not the best for us. With this in mind, one of the key things we do when we buy a new bike in order to have a more comfortable ride is to adjust the handlebar height.

While handlebar position plays a vital role in the overall handling of a bike, often riders try to optimize their ride by adjusting saddle height, seat tube angle, changing tire pressure and shock settings, and few realize it The point of adjusting the height of the handlebars.

Also known as saddle-drop, a lower handlebar height generally lowers your center of gravity. By moving the overall center of gravity forward, you can increase grip for improved riding handling, especially on climbs and off-road.

However, a handlebar that is too low can make the bike difficult to control, especially when riding in steep terrain.

Elite riders often have a large drop in stem settings, with the stem often sitting much lower than the saddle. This is usually done to provide a more aerodynamic riding position.

The setup for recreational riders is usually to have the stem level with the saddle height. This will be more comfortable.

It is good to adjust the handlebar height, you can adjust it according to your actual needs.

The following guidelines are for modern toothless headsets. The most typical feature is to fix it on the upper tube of the front fork with the vertical screw, then the headset is a toothless headset.

We’ll also cover how to adjust toothed headsets below.

· Necessary tools: a set of hexagonal wrench and torque wrench.

Method 1:

Increase or decrease the stem gasket

The first and easiest way to adjust the height of your handlebars is to adjust the stem spacers.

The stem spacer is located on the top tube of the fork and its main function is to compress the headset while adjusting the height of the stem.

Typically, most bikes have a 20-30mm stem spacer that allows free movement over or under the stem. All stem screws have standard threads.

【step 1】

Gradually loosen each stem screw until no resistance is felt. the

First fix the bike’s wheels in place, then loosen the headset fixing screws.

At this time, you can add new grease to the headset fixing screw, because the headset fixing screw will be easily stuck if there is no lubricating oil.

【Step 2】

Remove the headset top cover located above the stem.

【Step 3】

Remove the stem from the fork.

The headset hanging core of the front fork upper tube is used to lock the headset. The ones used on carbon fiber bikes are usually called expansion cores, and you don’t need to adjust them when adjusting the height of the stem.

【Step 4】

Determine how much to lower or raise, and add or reduce shims of the appropriate height.

Even a small change in handlebar height can make a big difference, so we shouldn’t worry too much about it.

【Step 5】

Put the stem back on the fork top tube and install the stem washer you just removed in place above the stem.

If you have a bunch of washers above your stem, consider whether you can achieve the same effect by reversing the stem.

Make sure there is 3-5mm of clearance between the fork top tube and the top of the stem washer, leaving enough room for the headset cap to clamp the headset bearings.

If there is no such gap, you need to check whether you have misplaced the gasket.

【Step 6】

Replace the headset cap and tighten until you feel some resistance. This means that the headset bearings have been compressed.

Too tight and the handlebars won’t turn freely, too loose and the bike will rattle and shake.

【Step 7】

Next, align the stem with the front wheel so that the handlebars are at right angles to the wheel.

This step may take some patience – for more accurate centering of the handlebars, you should be looking directly above.

【Step 8】

Once the wheel and stem are aligned, use a torque wrench to evenly torque the stem set screws to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually 5-8Nm.

At this time a torque wrench is very necessary.

【Step 9】

Check that your headset is properly locked.

A simple trick is to hold the front brake, place one hand on the stem, and rock it gently back and forth. Feel if the fork top tube rocks back and forth.

If you feel this, loosen the stem set screw and tighten the headset cap screw a quarter turn, then re-tighten the stem set screw.

Repeat the above steps until all signs of abnormality disappear and the handlebars still turn smoothly. If the bolt is tightened too tight, it will feel very hard to turn when turning the handlebar.

If your headset still feels odd when turning, it’s a sign that you may need to repair or replace the headset bearings with new ones.