With larger tires, wider seats, a lower center of gravity and upright handlebars, comfort bikes are designed to provide a smooth ride over different types of terrain. Proper adjustment of the handlebars on a comfort bike makes riding even more comfortable. Most comfort bicycles use either a threadless steering stem, which clamps onto a separate steering tube, or a quill-type stem, which uses a binder bolt to hold the handlebars in place in the bicycle's head tube. Quill stem handlebars adjust with Allen wrench or adjustable wrench, while threadless steering stems might require modification or replacement for a proper fit.
Quill Stems
Step 1
Loosen the binder bolt with the Allen wrench or adjustable wrench by turning it counter-clockwise. Do not remove the bolt. This will loosen the binder bolt in the head tube.
Step 2
Remove the Allen wrench or adjustable wrench. If the binder bolt is stuck, lightly tap the stem bolt with a hammer to free it from the head tube.
Step 3
Turn the handlebars from side to side to loosen the stem. Slide the handlebar stem up or down in the head tube to position it at the height you want. Align the handlebars.
Step 4
Tighten the binder bolt until it engages in the head tube and holds the handlebar stem firmly in place.
Step 5
Loosen the handlebar clamp on the stem with the Allen wrench. Adjust the angle of the handlebars and tighten the Allen wrench to hold the handlebars in place.
Threadless Stems
Step 1
Loosen the handlebar stem clamp on the top of the head tube with an Allen wrench. Turn the handlebars side to side to loosen the stem in the clamp.
Step 2
Push the stem down in the head tube to the desired position, if the stem will lower into the head tube. If the stem already is at the lowest position possible, loosen and remove the handlebar bracket from the stem with the Allen wrench. Remove the stem and place it in a vise. Cut a portion of the end of the stem that inserts into the head tube off with a hacksaw. Replace the stem in the head tube and reattach the handlebar bracket.
Step 3
Purchase a new handlebar stem, if the existing stem is not high enough. Loosen and remove the handlebar bracket from the stem with the Allen wrench. Remove the old stem and replace it with the new one. Reattach the handlebar bracket.
Step 4
Position the new stem at the desired height, align the handlebars and tighten the pinch clamp on the head tube.
Things You'll Need
- Allen wrench set
- Adjustable wrench
- Vise
- Hacksaw
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