RAISE Your Bike Handlebars

[@i_eatstyrofoam]

You DON'T want the stem to be flush with the steerer tube. You need to have a little gap, because the top bolt and cap are there to preload the bearings. Make sure to have a small gap (about 5mm), tighten the top cap first and the stem bolts on the side second.

[@GanderFlight]

Great points!

[@mahmam3128]

Thanks

[@fendermon]

Bingo!

[@tribalism_is_toxic1989]

I saw that too but deleted my comment becsuse you described it so much better. 👍

[@kouroshxyz3419]

Exactly....great safety point.

[@yourfriend3541]

Ignore all the know it alls that think they are professionals and have to mock and say things that make them look big.They just look for anything to try to boost their ego. If the bike feels good to you and your comfortable and your having fun, who cares what all these critics want to say. I see alot of suggestions just buy a new bike that fits you better, well im sure you would be happy to receive one. How about one of you fine folks reading this donate him one, if this video bothers you that much.. Thanks for the video and your time!

[@Sarah_Kinz]

So I just picked up a vintage schwinn awhile ago. Stock it fit me horribly and my knees were super bent 😂 after I got air in the tires and cleaned it up, after a bit of tinkering I finally got the heat to be raised cause apparently it was very stuck. Luckily I didn’t have to heat the frame to expand it to get it out. Anyway, then I raised the stem bar. Now my knees aren’t super bent like I’m sneaking, and my wrists don’t hurt because I’m not at an extreme angle with the low handlebars. In conclusion, I think even if your bike is like a 24” wheel, you can still modify it to fit you. You can always buy a longer seat and even a longer or different handlebar set. Also there are like 20” BMX’s that people ride and those are obviously small soo yeah 😂 and also if your bike is smaller, it’s easier to transport in a car, in a subway, and easier to store when your at work or shopping. ONE MORE THING! I don’t like when the seat is super high on a bike to the point my foot can’t touch the ground completely flat. It makes balancing at a stop harder and it makes breaking harder. Yeah ok your probably not supposed to put your foot down to break but I find it helps so I don’t fall off if I have to stop very suddenly or am turning really sharp. Smaller bikes are therefore easier to stop with your foot.

[@GanderFlight]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Yupp sometimes best to make do with what you have.

[@beef88]

👍

[@Littleweenaman]

Giga dummy

[@tomhammer1784]

But at the end, the DIYers don’t give themselves a labor billing of $35!

[@DIY-DaddyO]

I fitted a set of BMX bars to my Giant and it was a game changer. I can ride all day with zero back issues. Also because the bar position is higher than the seat when the trail gets technical I don’t need to drop the set post. Ok so it’s less “aero” but I’m not track racing in a velodrome, I’m riding to work or having fun on single tracks off road.

[@GanderFlight]

Nice!

[@lr3465]

Part came in today, already fixed & it was pretty simple. My wife is going to enjoy riding allot more than she already does with her ebike which she uses to commute the short distance most of the time. Thanks for the video!

[@dunnotck1]

I installed BMX handlebars to my mountain bike because I'm very tall and I was tired of leaning forward so much. I feel so much more comfortable now.

[@GanderFlight]

Good for you! Make it your own and do what is best for your riding style.

[@jwhitty14]

Ordered the same risers off of Amazon and installed on my Wife's bike as well as my own, easy peasy.Thanks for the video.

[@agnesf2659]

Wow, right before I pull my trigger to buy Dutch upright bikes for me and my husband, KZbin algorithm send me this video to save our current Giant and Liv bikes! Thank you so much!

[@GanderFlight]

Hope it helps! Enjoy Agnes, happy trails.

[@christianmcclellan8980]

I did it myself SUPER easy! Now my bike rides won't stress my shoulders.

[@GanderFlight]

Awesome!! Well done Christian

[@reindeerbermy3796]

You sped through the part I wanted to see the most which was installing the new extender

[@GanderFlight]

Sorry to hear that. Once you take the handlebars off you just slide the extender over the tube and tighten down the bolts, the reattach the handlebars at the top of the extension tube.

[@GanderFlight]

⭐⭐ *Examples of Products Used In This Video* ⭐⭐⠀ 🔷 Bicycle Handlebar Riser: amzn.to/3YxbxZ6 🔷 Allen Wrenches: amzn.to/3KZOHG3 🔷 Topeak Aero Bicycle Seat Bag: amzn.to/3yduhSH

[@donpeplow8231]

great video...took me about 10 minutes to make my mountain bike into a hybrid....the add 3 inches on height is a game changer

[@GanderFlight]

Glad it helped!

[@richardlam6540]

The first thing I would have done is to flip the stem over, depending on how you turn the stem it can either have a negative rise like yours or turned it over and have a positive rise to go higher, and I would prefer to use an adjustable stem to raise it or lower it depending on the type of riding I'm doing that day, an adjustable stem can be adjusted higher or lower by the turn of one bolt.

[@GanderFlight]

An adjustable stem would definitely be the ticket!

[@CantTalkImRiding]

Tighten the top cap screw to the correct torque BEFORE tightening the stem. That's how you safely make sure the fork is secured and there's no headset wobble. I like this method of raising the bars. I'll look for one of those extenders.

[@GanderFlight]

Thanks for the advice!

[@kellyfredrickson152]

Perfect! Just the video I needed to see. Love my new/used bike but hate the handle bars. Women's bikes right now during the pandemic are almost impossible to find at reasonable prices. I've gone to ever sporting good store, thrift store and pawn shop and finally found one. The only negative to the bike is the handle bars. The bars make you lean forward and that is very uncomfortable on the palms of my hands. I didn't know about extensions until I saw your video. I can't wait to get the extension and change my riding experience to being more enjoyable. Thank you for your video. Remember...rubber down. Peace.

[@GanderFlight]

+Kelly Fredrickson fantastic! I hope it works well for you and I’m glad you found yourself a bicycle!

[@lienbijs1205]

You can also install another handle bar. From a city bike for example. In this link you'll find a solution to solve painfull hands, it is in Dutch but you'll understand what they mean. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a16qc3mAgbGnfsU

[@dlunaaburto]

@@lienbijs1205 fantástico

[@janetashforth7368]

Thank you. I thought I was going to have to buy new handlebars to save my back.

[@GanderFlight]

You’re welcome!

[@jrasche]

I bought a bike trainer to use my mountain bike as an exercise bike during the cold months. I've used it three times this week and quickly realized I need to get the handlebars up because my back is hurting due to the bend. I hope bringing them up will help me. Thanks for the video!!

[@GanderFlight]

Good stuff! You're welcome!

[@thephilshow9701]

So many people raise the stem and bars for more comfort. Depending on their physical status this can cause more spine compression and often worsen ones condition if they have back issues. One should also realize you lessen control by moving your weight more to the rear leaving less pressure and control to the front tire.

[@GanderFlight]

All things to consider on an individual basis - thanks for raising those points!

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

Having done this, I think it makes sense to replace your suspension forks as well to no suspension forks as the suspension no longer have much purpose. Almost your entire body weight is now channeled to the middle part of the bike. Likewise it will also affect how the bike operates overall. There’s a science behind bike designs. There’s a reason why a comfort/city bike has a different geometry compared to a mountain bike or road bike. The same can be said if you take a limousine for offroad by simply putting offroad tyres or take a jeep wrangler and convert it to a limousine simply by lowering it and putting tyres intended for sedans. It just doesn’t feel right.

[@GanderFlight]

Sure it makes sense to upgrade all that as well - but it also isnt necessary for most folks - and if it is necessary for you, then you're more likely to buy the bike the is purpose suited for your needs.

[@philliplightning]

Thanks for this video it should help me out a lot. Just bought a new bike and ended up doing with a more forward sitting position because I didn't like up short the frame of upright bikes felt. Hopefully this will give me the best of both worlds.

[@ranger5705]

Sitting upright will put more pressure on your tailbone. Consequently your tailbone start hurting in the long run. This is my experience. Bending forward while biking puts pressure on the arms as well consequently less pressure on your tailbone.

[@Dutcharmytent]

Did the mod shown and 100% better for my back.

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@rickeyoftherhodes8983]

This could have saved me 10 bucks and saved me from handlebars rotating issues but I think I like my bike better with highrisers. Still, good to know something like this exists.

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@michaelmcclure3383]

Thanks. Now I've got a second mountain bike I'm trying to turn my old bike into a more of a hybrid. I do notice a little back pain on longer rides, so maybe something like this might help that.

[@GanderFlight]

Go for it!

[@benkotowicz174]

It might give you a chest pain. - HA!

[@michaelmcclure3383]

@@benkotowicz174 hahaha I haven't changed the handlebars on my 26ncher yet. A little more 'rise' would probably work.

[@stinkyfinn6977]

Pushing your seat forward on the rails helps you be more upright too

[@ae96nupe]

Thank you! You solved my problem. I’m in the same boat you were in.👍

[@GanderFlight]

Glad I could help

[@JUACee]

I need this cause I'm 6'1" and I'm riding my handlebars with the edge of my fingers

[@flamaest]

Watch out for the length of the front brake line. I increased my handlebar height on my mountain bike and quickly learned that I had to replace the front brake line as it was becoming taught.

[@GanderFlight]

Great tip!

[@carlibrown1208]

This is excellent

[@JasonRostro]

Thanks so much for showing this cause it really helps not only me but everyone from having to buy new Handel bars and such.

[@GanderFlight]

You’re welcome!

[@Clarke2316]

Thanks a lot! Got my new bike today and I need This!

[@GanderFlight]

Good luck!

[@tonyflitton4407]

I haven't gone down the extra spacer route yet. This evening I have lowered my seat post - I had added a padded seat and never adjusted the seat height. I also slid the seat forward to its limit. Will test ride tomorrow but it already feels more upright to reach the handle bars. To be fully upright I'd need the bars to be nearer rather than higher, but we shall see.

[@BMTVMeditationandSleep]

That’s awesome! Thanks. I’m struggling to get my handle bar off at the moment, I’m new to bikes, so I don’t know if I need an extension or not yet. But I know I got to rise it as I need to rise the seat. This video was helpful, thank you

[@GanderFlight]

You’re welcome.

[@waltermatthews1155]

I did this two weeks ago it has totally transformed my riding experience for the better.

[@kuratortrivia795]

No more back ache right. This is wonderful

[@GanderFlight]

Glad it has helped!

[@offtrackexplore3956]

I read in a mountain bike manual warning never exceed more then 3 spacers.!

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@alexandragardner4432]

Thank you for your video, just what we need. 😊

[@GanderFlight]

Happy trails!

[@puckja616]

It would be great if you can show us what to measure to choose the right sized riser. Thanks a lot!

[@infotechsailor]

I had major back probs from this issue riding my bike all winter in spin class with bars too low. Find what's comfortable for you , back pain is no joke especially for those of you who sit at desks alot like myself

[@GanderFlight]

A comfortable bike it the bike you'll ride more often!

[@karthimechify]

Dutch type tall handlebars are the best, if made in machined aluminum style modern design it will look just aa cool as any modern cycle.

[@GanderFlight]

I would agree with you - this is an inexpensive option :)

[@alfa_romeo0701]

Thank you Josh. You just made my life simpler pal

[@GanderFlight]

Glad to hear it!

[@lisenkochavez8507]

Thanks that will help me a lot

[@congerscott6064]

Great solution and looks good too, im considering doing the same thing and using a mountain bike for a pack bike or a tour bike, thanks for the video 👍🏆.

[@GanderFlight]

You're welcome!

[@jayniebabe1]

When leaning over the lower handlebars did you find there was more pressure on your wrists and hands. I'm having a problem with this and was looking to raise my bars a few inches.

[@KNGER1988]

I feel this in my left hand only super frustrating

[@GanderFlight]

That is precisely whey I wanted them raised ;)

[@moviecentral7422]

Yes true my hands are all red and it quite hurts on a long ride

[@stevobadmoonster]

I need this! My back is killing me.

[@GanderFlight]

Hopefully it provides some relief!

[@chazzlidell7653]

I just purchased a 600 dollar Fuji adventure 27.5 mountain bike and I'm having the same issue where as to much strain on my back to grab handlebars. I think I'm going to try the same thing. Glad I found your channel just subbed.

[@GanderFlight]

Awesome - glad this provided you a solution. Enjoy your rides!

[@Zoko1964]

This bike is way too small for this rider,and the seat height is also far too low.

[@GanderFlight]

Any larger of a frame and I would not be able to straddle the top tube.

[@Zoko1964]

@@GanderFlight chosing the frame size isn't necessarily about straddling the top tube with your feet on the ground,that's fine as a safety measure for kids learning to ride or beginners but as an adult the frame size is more relative to the size of the rider being in ergonomic proportion to the frame geometry. What's that frame 16"? Maybe try a 19"

[@nhattran1074]

@@Zoko1964 i'm new to this, just bought a road bike. So you dont need to touch the ground with your feet?

[@suburbia2050]

@@nhattran1074 No otherwise how would you be able to peddle? Your leg needs to be close to fully extended (but not fully locked straight) on the furtherst point of the down turn of the peddle. So adjust seat height for this. Having very bent legs at the furthest stretch just means you are wasting energy.

[@nhattran1074]

@@suburbia2050 so what do you do when you have to stop at the stop sign or red light? get off the bike?

[@Andy-Sas]

Might also help to flip your stem the right side up

[@lukiotemmi]

Exactly lol

[@Alexander-pi8by]

L

[@sethnicholls7861]

How did he not think of that?

[@_JellyDonut_]

Wouldn't that make it lower though?

[@lukiotemmi]

@@_JellyDonut_ nope. The stem is upside down right now making the bars lower. If its the right side up it would be angled up and that would make the bars higher.

[@cornelbacauanu1544]

Great explanation. Thank you, Will give it a try and let you know.

[@GanderFlight]

Enjoy!

[@stedimi4727]

Perfect video! Thank you!

[@GanderFlight]

You’re welcome.

[@harithameen7952]

Nice job man

[@GanderFlight]

Thanks! Hope you found it helpful!

[@taddeojudemugagga2306]

Nice adjustment, I would like to do it too. Thanks Joshua.

[@GanderFlight]

Any time!

[@nessyxo5482]

Thank you , your video was very helpful !

[@GanderFlight]

Glad to hear it!

[@garethclayfield5303]

Thank you for the demonstration. Now I know what I need to do and have ordered a riser. Looking forward to riding in a more upright position.

[@GanderFlight]

Have fun!

[@davesskillet9235]

Thanks for sharing ordering it from Amazon

[@jerrdog5568]

This really opens up the market for me. I like the looks of mountain bikes but the forward lean destroys my back.

[@GanderFlight]

Glad its helpful!

[@dac518]

You look like you need to raise your saddle a few inches, you can also move your handle bars forward

[@crocsonletsgo9665]

This sounds like the opposite of comfortable.

[@nj20baller]

Exactly

[@lukiotemmi]

@@crocsonletsgo9665 so in your mind its comfortable to have your bike saddle low?

[@crocsonletsgo9665]

@@lukiotemmi in my opinion, yes. Low saddle, high bars for an upright position. I'm not saying it's for everybody though. It works for me.

[@lukiotemmi]

@@crocsonletsgo9665 oh okay, but for me a low saddle means the pedalling is horrible since my legs cant straighten

[@cornelbacauanu1544]

Just raised my handlebar on my Giant Escape. It worked well however there is a caveat related to the bolts which secure the stem and the intensity they should be screwed in order to have a free movement rt/left of the handlebar at the same time having the right compression on the stem and the bearings/ bicycle frame.

[@GanderFlight]

Tell us more.

[@kookamunga2458]

I had a stem extension installed which raised my handlebar about 9 cm . Then I bought handlebar ends and flipped them straight up 90 degrees which gave me another 12 cm height. It looks funny and the professional bike techs at the bike shops frown at such modifications . They say it causes metal fatique and the bar ends are too far away from the brakes . The truth is it is like riding a Cadillac which is all about comfort . I also had to reposition gear and brake levers and longer cables .

[@GanderFlight]

And the only person it needs to satisfy is you! Do what works :)

[@kookamunga2458]

@@GanderFlightIf I had bought a dutch bike I wouldn't have done the modifications on my bike because the handlebars are up high . I am also looking for a dutch bike but the bike shops in Canada don't carry them .

[@truthseeker2190]

Dude, the most comfy bike for crusing around with the kids would be a hybrid bike, it's a nice comfortable upright riding position

[@GanderFlight]

Agreed - however a handlebar riser is MUCH less expensive than a brand new bicycle :) Thanks for watching.

[@mitya6568]

Thank you. That is what I needed. Greets from Slovenija

[@GanderFlight]

👍🏻

[@tombeck2884]

Exactly what I searched for ty ty ty

[@GanderFlight]

You're welcome.

[@rickReyes-xp6mz]

Good instruction video. I’m going to try it.

[@GanderFlight]

Hope it works for you!

[@ravinkhaira8093]

Greetings from Singapore Thank you for this video. It's been more than a year since you installed this, any update feedback on the stem riser? Is your riding/positioning more comfortable? Any defects/bends on the product?

[@GanderFlight]

Definitely more comfortable and I have had zero issues with the product. Shortly after this installed one on my wife’s bike and she’s been happy with it as well.

[@vichitvideo6041]

Good idea which I do not know up to just now. Thanks.

[@GanderFlight]

You're welcome.

[@nuvesv6933]

Hi, thanks for the tip. The raiser did help. Since you mentioned that you are riding on pavement more nowdays, should we change the tyre as well, to something more suitable?

[@GanderFlight]

Thats up to each rider.

[@Bamcis100]

Can you buy/swap out handle bars that extended back more toward the rider?

[@GanderFlight]

You can but you might run into more issues with the geometry of the rider and the rest of the frame at that point.

[@gustavokimbys3302]

Thanks for the great video ,very informative

[@GanderFlight]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

Negative stem angle while trying to raise the bar height with steering tube addition. Oh well

[@mahmam3128]

Lol my thoughts exactly

[@lukiotemmi]

Ikr lol

[@sethnicholls7861]

Lol, poor guy..

[@GanderFlight]

True - could have flipped the stem - but I wanted more height than flipping it would give me. Thanks for the thoughts!

[@Lolimaster]

@@GanderFlight You can combine the two for a more comfortable hand position.

[@alexwilsonpottery3733]

‘Aheadsets’ along with the obsession with ‘racing’ were the death of proper, comfortably adjusted bicycles for commuting, riding to school or the shops, and just pootling around. None but a time-trialist should be kissing the front tyre.

[@kookamunga2458]

You are right and that's why many new riders give up bicycling. Who wants to be a contortionist with pinched nerves in the neck while riding ? That's not much fun .

[@GanderFlight]

agreed. And ideally a different style of bike would fit my life better right now, but this was significantly cheaper than a new ride.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I can't ride down low like that. It hurts my wrists, makes my hands go numb and hurts my back and crotch. I actually put a taller quill stem on my original bike to be upright. I have since sold that bike and got a different bike with a more Dutch like upright position. The swept back handlebars actually allow a more upright position and zero fatigue on the wrists and hands.

[@GanderFlight]

Nice!

[@techytech1]

. I struggled for a while. The entire assembly would end up lose. The bearings werent seating right. I ended up needing to have the handlebar slightly above the riser (not flush, but a small gap under top of the bars), I also had to add an extra spacer Underneath the riser.. not on top. In the end, I ended up with 3 spacers under the riser, and the others on top. I utilized All the spacers. (fyi, 2021 Trek Marlin 5)

[@GanderFlight]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@mountcam]

very important actually

[@GanderFlight]

👍🏻

[@ricardovieira5473]

1:45' the most important step, you speed up and cannot see what you're doing, specially with your hand in front. At 2:11' it's a lot easier!

[@GanderFlight]

Thanks for the feedback Ricardo - I'll keep it real time on the next one.

[@epiet270]

Nice video, I’d recommend a long set of hex keys though, just be careful not to over torque.

[@GanderFlight]

Good call!

[@sludge86]

The main assembly was off the screen and hidden by the guys head lol. Again, how do you raise the handlebars without having to buy something?

[@ScreenArtUK]

did this today so much more comfy.. doesn't look great. .but hell works well

[@GanderFlight]

Function over aesthetics here!

[@christianpascual4525]

Thank you for sharing this product some people really need this

[@GanderFlight]

You’re welcome

[@pauliemyers1293]

Thanks bro I really needed that idea

[@GanderFlight]

Glad I could help

[@TOPMOSTPOP]

Vastly superiour option: Sell those 5lb suspension forks buy 2.5lb cro molly forks which come with way long stem while u at it bolt on origin8 long version bar ends.

[@GanderFlight]

If someone know what lb rating their forks are -- this diy isn't for them.

[@IzzyCooks]

Which size did you get for the video?

[@GanderFlight]

I believe its the 123mm : amzn.to/3cBBbEf

[@rogerpalin2800]

Before: wrong size bike After: still the wrong size bike 🤣🤣

[@GanderFlight]

The next frame size up and I can't straddle the top bar. Sometimes you make do or do without

[@kb2825]

I just started picking up bike riding again. It's been a while but I wanted my son to leaner how to ride a bike this summer and to also join him on this great journey. With that being said it only took me 2 hours to teach him 😆 I figured it would have taken longer🤷🏾‍♂️. now that we have progressed to ride trails my back is killing me. The forward lean position is somewhat the same as when I ride my sportbike but on a bicycle, it's overly uncomfortable with the leg and foot position. I will give this a try and see if it helps great video.

[@GanderFlight]

Glad you and your son are getting out and riding!

[@MrLexbad]

Amazing difference.

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

I don’t have an extender though 🤣

[@GanderFlight]

Link in the video description for ya!

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

@@GanderFlight ok thanks

[@mi5veezee]

thx bud. Just ordered one:)

[@GanderFlight]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@stanleytaveras7692]

There's an owl hooting up a storm in this video that's making me lol.

[@GanderFlight]

Mourning dove! Yupp - they're super loud on camera - I don't even pay attention to them in person anymore!

[@rafiy7150]

I have a question, isnt it better to just replace the stem with a taller stem?

[@kyllagambas4556]

Thanks

[@GanderFlight]

Welcome!

[@hyrsk1552]

Def needed this videos

[@GanderFlight]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobbigrant9158]

Must Have

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@Nauseousjohn85]

Damn, I just ordered high rise handlebars I wish I saw this sooner. Have you taken your bike on single track at all since modifying?

[@GanderFlight]

I personally wouldn't baulk at mild trails with the handlebars raised

[@andrewpate9157]

Ordering this now. Thanks

[@GanderFlight]

+Andrew Pate Hope it works well for you!

[@andrewpate9157]

Came in yesterday and got it on today. Man what a difference. A whole lot more comfortable. I love it and can’t wait to take it out for a long ride to see how it holds up.

[@GanderFlight]

Andrew Pate fantastic! It is quite impressive how a few inches of change can make such a big difference.

[@sethnicholls7861]

Super dorky and shows y'all don't understand MTN bikes proper fit... Dad's just don't know what's up....

[@leonid998]

You could also just flip the stem to point up.

[@GanderFlight]

I wanted the handlebars even higher than that.

[@dipanjanbiswas4924]

you need to leave 3mm gap between steerer tuve and stem to preload the bearings.

[@GanderFlight]

👍

[@kathyparker7837]

I have a 25 year old Cannondale MT that I love; however, the riding position is killing my neck. I took it to the same bike shop twice and he said he could not raise it any further that he had already done. I'm wondering if I should look into this further. I really don't want to buy another bike.

[@GanderFlight]

Sounds like it might be a worthwhile solution to explore!

[@keitholson5404]

I think you can flip stem for another lil bit too

[@GanderFlight]

You are correct Keith, flipping the stem would give you a bit more rise too.

[@jaredharris1970]

I’m here because i want to raise mine but I got a off brand bike from amazon and im not even sure if I can raise the handle bars if i wanted to can all handle bars be raised no matter the brand because im not sure if I have a fixed height handle bar

[@FlushtheSystem]

Thanks great video!!

[@GanderFlight]

You bet!

[@corypatterson3072]

You need to put your seat up

[@GanderFlight]

My leg is fully extended at the bottom of the pedal when actually riding the bike - I can't raise it up any more. Thanks for the comment!

[@shivangithakur1292]

thankyou sooooo much

[@GanderFlight]

Most welcome 😊

[@ahickin]

I wish it was that easy lol. The main long bolt that I feed through I isn’t long enough when I fit the stem raiser 🙈

[@GanderFlight]

Ack thats a huge bummer -- even the new longer bolt that came with the riser?

[@TheSting772]

This bike looks too small for you, your legs should be able to straighten, so basically your seat needs to be higher. You'll put a lot of strain on your knees in current position.

[@GanderFlight]

Is that based on the thumbmail photo? Had to lean against the wall to hold still for it