Cycling should be comfortable. However, many modern bikes are design to offer more aerodynamic position. Luckily the bike handlebar height can be adjusted and in this article we will have a look at different ways of putting your upper body in a more upright position to enjoy a more comfortable ride.
Tools required
Metric allen keys. Usually 4, 5 or 6mm.
Length of string or reusable tie. This is to secure the handle bars onto the frame.
Adjusting bike handlebar height by using spacers
On many modern bikes the handlebar stem is attached to the fork steerer and uses spacers for height adjustment.
Although this is limited, it is the first and easiest step to raise your handlebars. If there are any spacers above the stem then you will be able to extend it by that amount.
- Make sure you have the correct size allen keys to hand.
- Stand in front of your bike and grasp the wheel in between your legs.
- There are one or two bolts on the side of the stem, loosen them now.
- Undo and remove the top cap and the bolt.
- Take off the spacers above the stem and then remove the stem.
- Place the spacers from above the stem onto the steerer tube and replace the stem.
- Now refit the top cap and tighten the bolt but not too much as this might crush the headset bearings.
- To make sure that your handlebars move smoothly but there isn’t any play in the headset, stand next to your bike and press the front brake lever.
- While holding the brake lever put your other hand over the top of the headset and rock the bike gently back and forth. If there is play then tighten the top cap bolt a bit more.
- Now lift the front of the bike by the top tube and let the bars swing. If they don’t move freely, loosen the bolt slightly.
- Set up the stem so that it’s lined up with the front wheel.
- Tighten the bolts on the side of the stem sequentially. If you have a torque wrench set it to the recommended torque, usually between 5 and 6Nm.
- Now check that the bars don’t move.
Adjusting bike handlebar height by flipping the stem
If your stem is pointing downwards, you can also turn it over to raise the handlebars slightly.
- Remove the handlebars from the stem and remove the stem.
- Flip it over and replace the bars.
Raising handlebars with a stem raiser
If the handlebars are still not high enough for you, you can fit a stem raiser.
However, the cables might not be long enough when using these options.
The best way is the “trial and error” method by fitting the stem raiser or adjustable stem. If you find in the process that the gear or brake cables are too short, then you will need to replace them. You can learn how to change gear cables in our article here.
We also made a video tutorial here:
If you need to replace brake cables our article here will show you how to do this step-by-step.
You can also watch our video tutorial here:
As the name suggests, its job is to raise the bars. Its advantage as a one-piece structure is that it is stronger and more rigid than its adjustable counterpart. The stem raiser consists of the main body, spacers, top cap and long top cap bolt.
Fitting the stem raiser.
- Make sure you have the correct size allen keys to hand. Stand in front of your bike and grasp the wheel in between your legs.
- Remove the top cap and stem and put them away.
- Attach the stem and bars to the frame.
- Leave any spacers in place.
- Fit the stem raiser, with the spacers, onto the steerer tube, but don’t tighten it yet.
- Now refit the stem.
- If any cables stop the stem from going onto the raiser, then don’t force it .If they are too tight when turning they may cause unwanted braking or gear changing.
- Fit the top cap and tighten the long top cap bolt but not too much as this might crush the headset bearings. Make sure that your handlebars move smoothly but there isn’t any play in the headset.
- Align the stem raiser with the front wheel and tighten the bolts. Now align the handlebars with the front wheel and tighten the stem bolts.
- Test ride the bike. If the handlebars are extending too much, then adjust them by refitting the spacers on the stem raiser.
Adjusting bike handlebar height with an adjustable stem
As well as extending the handlebars, adjustable stem offers different riding positions. Because it’s made of multiple components, over time it can develop noticeable play. 
Fitting the adjustable stem
- Make sure you have the correct size allen keys to hand.
- Stand in front of your bike and grasp the wheel in between your legs.
- Remove the handlebars and secure them to the frame.
- Refit the stem plate to the stem.
- Remove the top cap and the stem and put them aside.
- Leave the spacers in place and fit the adjustable stem.
- Fit the top cap and tighten the top cap bolt but not too much as this might crush the headset bearings.
- Remove the stem plate and fit the handlebars. They don’t have to be positioned correctly at this point. Check out our article here if you’re not sure how to tighten the handlebars correctly using a cross pattern.
You can also watch our video tutorial here:
- Make sure that your handlebars move smoothly but there isn’t any play in the headset.
- Align the handlebars with the front wheel and tighten the stem bolts.
- Now its time to adjust the position of the handlebars. Check if there is a bolt under the stem.
- If there is, undo it until the serrated part drops. This will release the adjusting mechanism.
- Set the stem to the desired position and , while holding it, tighten the bolt.
- If there isn’t a bolt under the stem, then hold the stem with one hand and undo the bolt on the side with the other hand until the adjustable part of the stem moves.
- Set the stem to the desired position and, while holding it, tighten the bolt.
Now it’s time to position the handlebars correctly. We have a great article on how to set up handlebars here.
You can also watch our video tutorial here:
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