Table of Contents
Advertisement
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 local 13
dealer.
If your bike has a "threadless" stem (fig. 6), your
local 13 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
local 13 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 local 13 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
Insertion". This mark must not be visible above
the headset.
WARNING: On some bicycles,
changing the stem or stem height can
affect the tension of the front brake cable,
locking the front brake or creating excess
cable slack, which can make the front brake
inoperable. If the front brake blocks move in
towards the wheel rim or out away from the
wheel rim when the stem or stem height is
changed, the brakes must be correctly
adjusted before you ride the bicycle.
WARNING: The stem's Minimum
Insertion Mark must not be visible
above the top of the headset. If the stem is
extended beyond the Minimum Insertion
Mark the stem may break or damage the
fork's steerer tube, which could cause you to
lose control and fall.
Your local 13 dealer can also change the
angle of the handlebar or any bar end
extensions.
17
WARNING: An insufficiently tightened
stem binder bolt, handlebar binder
bolt or bar end extension clamping bolt may
compromise the steering action, which could
cause you to lose control and fall. Place the
front wheel of the bicycle between your legs
and attempt to twist the handlebar/stem
assembly. If you can twist the stem in relation
to the front wheel, turn the handlebars in
relation to the stem, or turn the bar end
extensions in relation to the handlebar, the
bolts are insufficiently tightened.
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Advertisement
Table of Contents
