Riser bar or riser stem?

[Titiritero]

I am not getting any younger, so I like my bars roughly level with my saddle, which is not easy task on a retrobike.

I have a new project in the hands, a '92 Stumpjumper in lovely yellow, with silver bar and stem (that also works as cable stop for the front brake). There is about 8cm of drop between saddle and bar at the moment, and it has to go.

What would be the most aesthetically pleasant way to solve this drop? A taller stem, or a new bar with big rise? What would be more loyal to the retro 99% original look of the bike? I have the replacement stem, but I would need to get a new bar if I go that route. If I swap the stemp, I would keep the original flat Specialized bar, which is 59cm wide. If I change the bar, I've seen in the local classifieds one with about 15º backsweep and 62cm wide that has the right price.

Thanks for the answers...

 

[Carge]

BMX bars

I kid thee not.....

 

[Titiritero]

BMX bars

Thanks. I know they are all the rage now, but I personally don't think they would fit the looks of the bike. They seem comfy though

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I need the answer to this question as well. If people chould post pictures of their solutions, it'd be very helpful. I've tried to use both riser bar and stem on my latest build, but I can't bear the look of it.

This bike is medium, makes it a bit on the small side for me, I could still bring the bars higher . This is basically my around town cruiser, for when I don't want to ride my actual cruiser, so I think an "urban assault" look could be accomplished with BMX cockpit

 

[novocaine]

have you tried yoga?

 

[MattiThundrrr]

have you tried yoga?

Yes. Thanks to yoga, I am now aware that I have toes. We haven't officially made contact yet though

 

[R-V]

In this case i'd go riser stem, and keeping the old Specialized bar.
In case the stem is more identical than the bar, like on a GT for example, riser bar.

maybe both, for proper comfort.

And some barends, for heresy

 

[MattiThundrrr]

And some barends, for heresy

You had to open that can of worms, didn't you? I held off on bar ends because of the flak I've received with a flat stem, that bar and my lovely ends

 

[PhillB]

I've gone down both routes 4inch riser bars with a BMX Stem...some rise in the Stem Adapter too. (These are Fairdale MX-4 bars - they also do an MX-6 which is 6 inch rise)


Or unbraced riser bars with a short riser stem... This is a 90mm (Kalloy) stem which provides about 1 inch rise plus the Ritchey Pro Riser bars give about 2 inches, so 3 inches in total)



With both the wider (than original) bars improve position and comfort too!

 

[FZRIP]

I’m having the same problems. Steerer left at 220mm while I try to decide what’s best - high rise stem or a stack of spacers…