#Vintage mountain bike workshop upgrade

A backsweep will tuck your elbows in more.Ĭarbon bars are a pricey upgrade that can help with vibration damping, although if you’re looking to up comfort, a one-piece carbon bar stem might not be the answer because it will limit adjustability, in particular of bar angle.

Some bars have a forward or reverse sweep, which will alter wrist, arm and shoulder position. If hand discomfort is an issue, look for a bar with a flattened top rather than the traditional round profile, as it will distribute pressure much more evenly, although really wide aero tops can be difficult to grip if you have smaller hands. Most road bike handlebar designs now feature shallow drops, so it’s easier to ride in them for longer periods – a necessary feature to get the most out of your road bike. Simon von Bromley / Immediate Mediaįor road bikes, the shape of the bar needs to be comfortable for you in a range of grip positions. One-piece carbon handlebars can help with vibration damping and offer an aerodynamic advantage, but they limit adjustability. Change your handlebar Fitting more comfortable mountain bikes handlebars

#Vintage mountain bike workshop how to

Speedplay pedals also used to give you axle length options, but has now standardised on one length, although there’s lots of lateral adjustability in its cleat positioning.įor more info, check out our detailed guide on how to fit and adjust your clipless pedal cleats. Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace pedals, for example, give you the option of a 4mm longer road pedal axle. There are only two ways to increase your stance width: fit your cleats further inboard or look for pedals with longer spindles. That’s not going to give the best stance width for everyone across that size spectrum.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that whether you ride a 44cm or a 64cm frame, all bikes of the same model have the same-width bottom bracket. With clipless pedal cleats limiting how much you can move your feet around as you ride, if you’ve got it wrong this can be reflected in aches and pains in muscles and joints right up the legs. Adjusting cleat position allows you to tailor your stance width on the bike.