Handlebar Height And Angle - Specialized BICYCLE Owner's Manual

clamp can allow the saddle to move, causing you to lose control and fall.
Always tighten fasteners to the correct torque. Bolts that are too tight
can stretch and deform. Bolts that are too loose can move and fatigue.
Either mistake can lead to a sudden failure of the bolt, causing you to lose
control and fall.
Note: If your bicycle is equipped with a suspension seat post, the suspension
mechanism may require periodic service or maintenance. Ask your dealer for
recommended service intervals for your suspension seat post.
Small changes in saddle position can have a substantial effect on performance
and comfort. To find your best saddle position, make only one adjustment at a time.
WARNING: After any saddle adjustment, be sure that the saddle
adjusting mechanism is properly seated and tightened before riding.
A loose saddle clamp or seat post clamp can cause damage to the
seat post, or can cause you to lose control and fall. A correctly tightened
saddle adjusting mechanism will allow no saddle movement in any
direction. Periodically check to make sure that the saddle adjusting
mechanism is properly tightened.
If, in spite of carefully adjusting the saddle height, tilt and fore-and-aft position,
your saddle is still uncomfortable, you may need a different saddle design.
Saddles, like people, come in many different shapes, sizes and resilience. Your
dealer can help you select a saddle which, when correctly adjusted for your body
and riding style, will be comfortable.
WARNING: Some people have claimed that extended riding with a
saddle which is incorrectly adjusted or which does not support your
pelvic area correctly can cause short-term or long-term injury to
nerves and blood vessels, or even impotence. If your saddle causes you
pain, numbness or other discomfort, listen to your body and stop riding
until you see your dealer about saddle adjustment or a different saddle.
C. Handlebar height and angle
Your bike is equipped either with a "threadless" stem, which clamps on to the
outside of the steerer tube, or with a "quill" stem, which clamps inside the steerer
tube by way of an expanding binder bolt. If you aren't absolutely sure which type
of stem your bike has, ask your dealer.
If your bike has a "threadless" stem (fig. 6) your dealer may be able to change
handlebar height by moving height adjustment spacers from below the stem to
above the stem, or vice versa. Otherwise, you'll have to get a stem of different
length or rise. Consult your dealer. Do not attempt to
do this yourself, as it requires special knowledge.
If your bike has a "quill" stem (fig. 7) you can ask
your dealer to adjust the handlebar height a bit by
adjusting stem height.
A quill stem has an etched or stamped mark on
its shaft which designates the stem's "Minimum
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