Question about stem rise…..

[jebfour]

So I’m going to put a new set of bars and stem on my bike.

My current plan is to go with a set of Easton Monkey Bars with a medium rise.

The stem I’m looking at is a 90mm Thomson X4 but I’m not sure whether I should go with a 0° rise or a 10° rise. Will the different rise change the handling or just raise the bars up or down?

I’m a terrible climber so I don’t want to lose the bike’s climbing ability, but want to give it a more confident feel when bombing down the hill. As you can see in the pic below, the bars and stem that are currently on it are a straight out narrow XC set-up (and the stem is a little long for me).

Input? Suggestions?

[tbowren]

What stem length / rise do you currently have on there?

I assume your current bars have no or less than medium rise? It's hard for me to tell in that photo , they don't look totally flat.

Generally, higher bars will make you more upright. This will give you more control and confidence on the downhills.

I have found that higher bars hasn't hurt my climbing. I still have to lean forward on steep stuff, and scoot forward on the saddle just like I did before. The only difference is now I'm closer to the handlebars and my arms are more bent. I recently raised my bars 2 inches and I was still able to stay in the saddle and climb steep stuff around here like cholla, dripping caves, and Mathis. Anything steeper than those, most people have to stand and climb, and I don't to do that.

[andygua]

IMHO I guess it should give you a better feel when going downhill since your hands will be a little higher, hence your whole center of gravity moves back a little which would help you...the same effect will happen when climbing, but that shouldn't be much of a problem since the difference is very slight and you can always lean forward (Even off the saddle) while climbing...

[el_d00der1n0]

Lower is better for climbing, higher is better for descending. I've read somewhere it's best to be able to see your axle behind the bars when you're in the "attack" riding position. I've also read the bars should be about an inch or two below the seat.

The angle of the stem and the rise of the bars should help you get the bars higher than stacking spacers (which you have as high as they'd go).

[jebfour]

I believe that the length of the current stem is 100 (maybe 110).

Also I usually use the ETA on the fork (love that thing) when climbing....

[JOx2]

try flipping the stem and ride it to feel the difference.

[SnookDawg]

From the pic it looks like you have spacers under the stem currently. One thing to keep in mind is that going to a wider bar will make the cockpit "feel" longer since your elbows will be bent less. So, you may feel more relaxed and less cramped just going wider.

I agree with the other comment that it looks from the pic like you are already running a low-rise bar. Your grips look about level with your saddle in the photo, I think for trail-riding this is probably a good starting point.

Why are you changing in the first place? Are there particular ride characteristics you don't like with the current setup? Something you are shooting for?